Beagles do not do well in cold weather. These dogs are short-haired and were not bred to withstand a harsh climate. Temperatures below 0 °C/32 °F pose a risk for hypothermia and frostbite for most dogs, including beagles. A beagle can feel cold when it is below 7 °C / 45 °F, especially if it is windy or raining.
Dogs And Cold Weather: Animal Adaptations
- Paw cushions: The dog’s paws are cushioned with subcutaneous fat and connective tissue. The cushions are supported by a prolific net of blood vessels. Good blood supply to the paws is one of the ways the body keeps them warm and protects them from frostbite. Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, so blood supply becomes more limited.
- Piloerection: Dogs get goosebumps. Their hairs stand up and create a pocket of air between hair shafts, which prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from getting close to the skin.
- Slowing of metabolism: Animals slow down their metabolism in cold weather, so they give less energy to the cold environment around them.
- Shivering: Dogs shiver, which generates heat and keeps them warmer. Shivering is common when the dog is mildly hypothermic but may stop as hypothermia progresses.
Signs of Hypothermia In Dogs
The normal body temperature of most dogs ranges from 101.5 °F (38.5 °C) to 102.5°F (39.2 °C).
If body temperature drops to 90 – 95 °F / 32-35 °C, the animal is in the range of mild hypothermia. Temperatures below 84 °F / 28 °C constitute severe hypothermia.
The common signs of mild to moderate low body temperature in dogs include the following:
- Behavioral changes, such as nervousness, pacing, not willing to walk, or abnormal movements
- Picking up a paw and holding it up
- Pale mucous membranes, especially of the mouth
- Vocalizing in ways that alert you to some distress
- Shivering
The signs of worsening hypothermia include the following:
- Weakness and lethargy
- Stiffness of paws and possibly the torso
- Slow or labored breathing
- Slow pulse
If your pet appears very cold, consider taking him or her to a veterinarian. Once dogs become too cold, medical interventions could be required.
How Cold Is Too Cold For A Beagle?
45 °F/ 7 °C is the threshold when an average dog of a cold-sensitive breed becomes uncomfortable spending longer than twenty minutes outside. If it is a few degrees cooler than 45 °F/ 7 °C, keep your pet’s time outdoors limited and put a warm vest on him or her.
As for even harsher conditions when the air temperature is at or below freezing, healthy adult beagles generally do fine but only for brief periods of time. Beagles are very active dogs and constant movement is protective against hypothermia. However, their paws are still vulnerable to frostbite in freezing temperatures.
When the ambient air is colder than 32 °F / 0 C°, being outdoors for even a short period of time could lead to frostbite. Paws and ears are the most vulnerable to frostbite but any part of the body could be affected. Protect your pet’s paws with either a layer of balm or dog booties.
It is also important to note that any form of precipitation and wind further reduce the insulating power of fur, so the dog could get cold even faster.
Frostbite
When your pet is cold, the body prioritizes supplying blood to the torso to conserve warmth for the essential organs. While such a physiologic response increases the chances of survival in the wild, it leaves other parts of the body, such as paws and ears, at a higher risk for frostbite.
Some signs of frostbite include:
- pale or gray skin
- coldness of the area
- pain
At later stages of frostbite, several days after the injury:
- swelling, inflammation in affected areas
- ulcers, blisters
- areas that are becoming further discolored – purple or black
When the affected paw darkens, it could be turning necrotic. It is a dire circumstance because the dog is likely to lose the limb. Unless properly cared for, many animals also develop an infection after severe frostbite.
If you suspect that your dog has frostbite, do not wait to take the dog to a veterinarian. Your dog may need respiratory support, antibiotics, or other therapies to promote recovery.
Risk Factors For Hypothermia and Frostbite
Several individual characteristics make a dog of any breed even more vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite:
- Wet fur
- Dogs that are deconditioned, unhealthy, and inactive, are at a higher risk
- Chronic or acute health problems, especially cardiovascular and respiratory
- Old age
- Very young age, especially younger than 6 months
- Being thin: subcutaneous fat insulates the body, so chubby or muscular dogs do better in the cold
- A dog who is not moving around will have a harder time keeping warm
- Lack of acclimatization is important, because gradual exposure to cold, as tolerated, allows the dog to adjust to low temperatures over time
How To Keep Your Beagle Warm On A Cold Day
There are several things you could do to improve your pet’s tolerance to cold weather and to keep him warm on a cold day.
- If you are moving to an area with a colder climate or getting a new pet, allow your dog to acclimate. At first, spend very short periods of time outdoors – just enough for the dog to relieve himself. Gradually increase the time over a few weeks if your pet tolerates it well.
- Your dog should eat well before going outside on a cold day. A warm meal and water are good options on a cold day, if available.
- It is important to regularly feed your dog good quality food to promote general health and better tolerance to cold weather.
- Let your dog exercise regularly to improve general health, too.
- Dry your pup’s wet fur as soon as you can.
- Clean the paws of ice and rocks. Sometimes it is helpful to rinse your pet’s paws with water a little warmer than lukewarm to gently remove ice and any debris. This practice also helps prevent damage from mechanical injury due to ice and rocks.
- Consider a waterproof warm coat if your dog goes outside in cold weather frequently. It is important to measure your dog as recommended by the manufacturer, to make sure you are getting the right size.
- Waterproof boots are just as important, especially in icy conditions. It may be best to have your pet try those out at home, to make sure they fit well and the dog does not mind wearing them.
- Paw wax is another option. It is less cumbersome for the dog and protects well from both cold and hot surfaces.
- If your dog looks cold after a walk, bundle the animal with blankets, and treat him to a warm meal and water. Avoid using any hot items, such as heating pads or hot water bottles directly on fur or skin, because they will feel too hot and could cause damage.
Other Concerns In Freezing Weather
If you live in an area with cold winters, you might already be familiar with the rules for pets around antifreeze and salt on the driveways and roads.
Antifreeze is a hazard for animals. Many dogs and cats like the taste of it. As a result, they will lick any surface with antifreeze on it, and even a small amount could kill an animal.
Salt and other substances that are sprayed on ice and snow in winter can be extremely harsh on the paws. If you use any of those substances in your driveway or take your pet on walks to places that could have salt sprinkled for deicing, consider protecting your pet’s paws with either balm or doggy boots. Alternatively, wash the paws with warm water upon returning home.
