How To Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy This Winter
Chewy
Cold winter weather is the time to bundle up and get cozy by the fireplace, but how do our dogs stay warm, especially seniors?
All dogs need special care when temperatures are freezing outside, but our senior pets need even more attention since various changes occur within their bodies as they age.
Here’s how to make sure they stay healthy and safe this winter.
Key Takeaways
- Senior dogs have slower metabolisms, so they lose heat more quickly than younger dogs.
- All seniors should have a warm, insulated jacket to wear outdoors in winter and a comfortable bed and blanket to keep them cozy indoors.
- Cold weather can cause cracks and dryness in senior dogs’ paws and noses, so they need balm and booties to keep them safe.
- If your dog is shivering, tucking their tail, or lifting their paws outside, they may be too cold. Even 45 F can be too cold for some senior pups.
- Joint supplements may be a smart option to lubricate joints and reduce inflammation for winter arthritis flares, but ask your dog’s veterinarian first.
Protect Your Senior Dog’s Paws and Nose
Senior dogs tend to have drier, rougher paw pads that are prone to cracking or inflammation in cold weather.
Plus, they have reduced moisture in their nose due to aging. A soothing balm for winter skin, like Palmer's for Pets Paw Pad & Nose Balm with Cocoa Butter, can protect both their nose and paws.
Booties keep their feet warm while protecting them from snow and ice.
Senior dogs have less balance and slower reflexes than other dogs, too, so they’ll benefit from booties with grippers on the bottom to prevent slips and accidental falls—especially on icy surfaces.
Try the DOK TigerToes Anti-Slip Senior Dog Socks or the Frisco Non-Skid Elf Dog Socks.
If you use an ice melt around your home, make sure to choose a pet-safe brand like Safe Paw PetSafe Ice Melt, which is free of the salt and chlorides that can irritate dog paws.
Prep Your Senior Dog for Time Outdoors
Senior dogs have slower metabolisms, so they don’t regulate their body temperature as well as younger pups. This means they lose heat relatively quickly.
Because of this, you’ll need to limit their time outdoors in winter—but everyone still deserves a quick whiff of that crisp mountain air.
Put on their booties for quick bathroom breaks and brief walks, but also make sure they have a properly insulated jacket to keep them toasty.
The PetRageous Designs Juneau Insulated Dog Jacket or the Frisco Mediumweight Plaid Hooded Insulated Dog & Cat Peacoat are good bets.
If you can, time outdoor visits for warmer parts of the day or when the sun is out. If you notice shivering or your dog holding up their paws, it’s time to head back inside.
Make Their Indoors a Warm Winter Escape
Once they’re back inside, offer them a warm, cozy spot to rest.
Include a plush dog bed, like the Bedsure Calming Fluffy Plush Faux Fur Orthopedic Anti-Slip Donut Dog & Cat Bed, and a fuzzy blanket, like the Pet Parents Premium Cat, Puppy & Dog Blanket, to help them rest and relax.
If they’re taking fewer bathroom breaks in winter, use pee pads inside the house so that your dog can still go when they need to.
Inside entertainment will help them adjust to spending more time indoors. Surprise them with a KONG Senior Dog Toy, which is easier on senior teeth and gums, along with KONG Stuff'N Easy Treat Peanut Butter Recipe.
Don’t forget puzzle toys, like the Frisco Chicken Coop Hide & Seek Puzzle Plush Squeaky Dog Toy or the Brightkins Brain Teaser Treat Puzzle Dog Toy, to keep their brains engaged while it’s a wintry wonderland outside.
Consider Joint Supplements
Senior pups often have joint issues, including arthritis. And cold winter weather can make this condition even worse, leading to joint stiffness and pain.
Adding in a joint supplement, such as the Nutramax Dasuquin Hip & Joint Soft Chews Joint Supplement, can lubricate their joints and reduce inflammation.
Joint supplements take around four to six weeks to begin working, so it’s best to start these in the fall for optimal benefits, but always check with your veterinarian before adding any new supplement to your dog’s diet.
Some veterinarians might even suggest that your dog take a supplement all year round.
Prioritize a Routine Checkup With Your Vet
Senior dogs have weaker immune systems, so preventive care is essential. Even if your dog is healthy, winter weather warrants a vet visit if your dog is due for a checkup.
Kennel cough, distemper, and canine flu aren’t specific to seniors, but senior dogs are more likely to catch them due to the natural weakening of their immune system as they age.
Make sure your pup is up to date on their vaccinations—Bordetella, canine distemper, and influenza—for those conditions. Vaccinations are particularly important in winter when your dog might be spending more time in close quarters with other dogs indoors, like at pet boarding or doggy daycare.
How To Keep Your Senior Dog Healthy This Winter FAQs
How cold is too cold for senior dogs?
The general rule is that if it’s too cold for you to be outside, it is too cold for any dog to be outside, especially seniors. However, many senior dogs can start to feel uncomfortable around 45 F.
Is winter hard on senior dogs?
Winter is hard on senior dogs because as they age, they don’t regulate their body temperature as well, so they become cold more quickly. Cold weather can also aggravate pre-existing joint issues, such as arthritis.
Can you leave a senior dog outdoors?
No. You should never leave any dog outdoors in the winter, especially in freezing temperatures. Even dogs with heavy double coats can get frostbite very quickly in winter.
What are some signs your senior dog is too cold?
Shivering, curling up in a ball, holding up their paws, or tucking their tail between their legs are all signs that your dog is too cold. However, even if your senior dog is not showing obvious signs of being cold, they should not be outside for long periods of time in freezing temperatures.
Do all senior dogs need winter gear?
Yes. All senior dogs need winter gear during colder months to protect their paws and nose and help regulate their body temperature. An insulated jacket, booties, and paw balm are essential.
