A dog trainer has given people a warning if you plan to walk your pet in the snow (stock image) (Image: Karina Eremina via Getty Images)
The Met Office has predicted heavy snow in many parts of the UK today (March 12), meaning many people will be bracing themselves for .
Although the UK experienced the hottest day of the year so far at the weekend, with temperatures of 20C seen in some areas, temperatures have once again fallen. It is , according to the latest maps.
In light of these frosty conditions, dog owners are being urged to heed advice when taking their pets out into the . As questions about dog walking in wintry weather abound on platforms like , dog training expert Frederica Caneiro from by nove8 – a premier puppy and dog training application – offers her professional guidance to cautious pet parents.
Highlighting the dangers posed by the cold, the canine specialist advised against prolonged exposure during walks, cautioning that hypothermia or frostbite could ensue in severe low temperatures. She said: “Keeping your dog indoors in freezing weather may be a good idea, especially if it’s -7°C or lower.”
Although have varied resilience to the cold, Frederica provided essential tips to gauge safe durations outdoors during winter.
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- Small breeds – Smaller dogs already at risk of getting cold when the temperature is 0°C, with anything below -5°C posing a high or extreme risk.
- Medium breeds – These pooches can tolerate colder temperatures compared to smaller breeds, but pet parents should be concerned if the temperature drops below -10°C.
- Large breeds – These dogs face a medium risk down to -10°C, with the risk of illness rising to high or extreme when temperatures hit the -15°C mark.
When the temperature drops below 0°C outside, Frederica recommends keeping your winter walks short and track your dog’s signs of discomfort, such as shivering and taking paws off the ground. When below -6°C, it can be too dangerous for your dog to stay outside unless you use dog coats and jackets, she said.
Depending on your dog’s breed, the expert said your pet should walk barefoot in the snow for no more than 15-30 minutes. As well as the cold ground, your dog may damage their feet because salt covers the sidewalks.
To keep dogs’ paws safe in winter, she advised using dog boots, applying paw balm, and wiping down the paws after walks.