Pugs are sensitive to cold weather: they are short-haired, flat-faced, and were not bred to tolerate harsh conditions. Frostbite is a concern at temperatures below 0 °C/32 °F but most pets but even temperatures below 7 °C/45 °F could be too low for a pug.
How Do Dogs Adapt to Cold Weather Conditions?
Dogs as a species have several adaptations to help them tolerate harsh weather.
The dog’s paws are cushioned with subcutaneous fat and connective tissue. The cushions are supported by a prolific net of blood vessels, which keeps the paws warm on a cold day.
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. The process is called piloerection.
Animals slow down their metabolism in cold weather, so they give less energy to the cold environment around them.
Finally, dogs shiver, which generates heat and keeps them warmer. Shivering is common when the dog is mildly hypothermic but may stop as hypothermia progresses.
PUGS: THE BREED’S RISK FACTORS FOR HYPOTHERMIA
Most Pugs Have Short, Single-Layer Fur
Although some pugs are double-coated, most have a one-layer, short coat.
If you are not sure if your pet is single-coated, there is a way to check. Stroke your pug’s fur against the direction of the hair growth. If you see skin, then your pup is single-coated. If you see a layer of thicker, shorter fur, then you are looking at the second layer of the coat.
A double-later coat, even if very short, is significantly more effective at protecting the animals from moisture, wind, and cold air. So, a double-coated pug is going to have a better tolerance of winter weather.
Pugs Have A Brachycephalic Airway
Pugs are profoundly brachycephalic. The flat shape of these pups’ faces and their narrow airways present a couple of challenges in cold weather.
Pugs’ short snouts do not allow for much temperature regulation of the air they breathe. As a result, pugs are more sensitive to high and low ambient temperatures.
In addition, pugs are more likely to have an exacerbation of any breathing difficulties, which are so common for flat-faced dogs. Observe your dog for breathing issues in cold weather.
RISK FACTORS FOR HYPOTHERMIA REGARDLESS OF THE DOG’S BREED
Several characteristics make a dog of any breed more vulnerable to developing hypothermia, as well as frostbite:
- Good health and regular exercise improve tolerance to weather extremes, so dogs that are not in good shape in terms of fitness and general health are at risk
- Chronic or acute health problems
- Old dogs are at high risk due to their impaired physiologic responses and imperfect perfusion
- Very young dogs have little stamina and get cold or hot easily
- Being thin: subcutaneous fat insulates the body, so chubby dogs do better with the cold
- A dog that is not moving much will have a harder time keeping warm
- Lack of acclimatization is a major factor, because gradual exposure to cold, as tolerated, allows the dog to adjust to low temperatures over time
- Wet fur is a risk factor even for young and healthy animals
How Cold Is Too Cold for a Pug?
45 °F/ 7 °C is the threshold below which a dog of a cold-sensitive breed might become uncomfortable spending much time outside. Your pup might be okay as long as the dog is moving and staying active.
Snow, rain, and wind further reduce the insulating power of the dog’s coat, so the dog could get cold even faster.
In the case of pugs, being active in cold weather could increase secretions and make breathing more difficult for these pups.
When the ambient air is colder than 32 °F / 0 °C, being outdoors for even a short period could lead to frostbite, in addition to hypothermia. Paws and ears are the most vulnerable to frostbite but any part of the body could be affected.
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, it indicates 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 progressing hypothermia include the following:
- Weakness and lethargy
- Stiffness of paws and possibly the torso
- Slow or labored breathing
- Slow pulse
Mild hypothermia is easily corrected by bringing the dog indoors, bundling him or her with a blanket, and treating your pet with a meal, ideally warm. Severe hypothermia requires a visit to a veterinarian for effective correction and monitoring.
Frostbite
When a dog is cold, the body prioritizes supplying blood to the torso over the paws to conserve warmth for the essential organs. While such a physiologic response increases the chances of survival, 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 limb darkens, it could be turning necrotic. It is a dire circumstance because the dog could lose the affected limb and/or develop a secondary infection.
If you suspect that your dog has frostbite, do not wait to take him to a veterinarian. Your dog may need respiratory support, antibiotics, or other therapies to promote recovery.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR PUG WARM ON A COLD WINTER DAY
There are several things you could try to improve your pet’s tolerance to cold weather and to keep him or her 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 outdoors. 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, depending on how much exercise your pug can tolerate comfortably.
- Dry your pug’s wet coat 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.
- 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. Many dogs never get used to the idea of 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 issues with pets around antifreeze and salt on the driveways and roads.
- Antifreeze is a major safety problem for animals. Many dogs and cats in particular like the taste of it. As a result, they will lick any surface antifreeze that is spilled on, and even a small amount could kill an animal or severely impact your pet’s quality of life.
- 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.
