The 14 Best Ways to Keep Your Dog Warm During Winter

1. A Good Quality Dog Bed

Without a warm place to relax and sleep, a dog’s health is negatively impacted. Choosing a thickly padded, snug dog bed will make a huge difference to their health and their mood. A bed that’s raised off the floor is even better because it keeps them safe from draughts.

If a raised frame isn’t an option, put your dog’s bed on a thick duvet or a pile of blankets.

2. Add Snuggle Blankets

Dogs love to snuggle under warm blankets! Provide Rover with several warm blankets to dig into and wiggle beneath. Imagine trying to sleep at night without a covering – it’s practically impossible.

Blankets don’t have to be fancy, an old duvet, or a few old throws can make a world of difference to your pooch. One of the best materials is wool, so hang onto your old sweaters.

3. Keep Them Dry

Wet hair equals cold and misery, and it’s the same for our dogs. When their fur is wet, it chills their skin. The longer they stay wet, the lower their body temperature gets. Combined with a draft, wet fur is utterly miserable for dogs.

If your dog gets wet on a walk, or you bathe him, ensure they’re adequately dried off afterward so they can keep warm.

4. Self Warming Pet Mats

Most good pet stores sell self-warming pet mats. These stroke-of-genius mats reflect body heat upwards, warming your dog totally free of charge.

Self-warming pet mats are a good dog bed addition, and anywhere your dog likes to sleep, such as by your feet.

5. Offer Nutritious Food

Healthy dogs are more active and therefore warmer, but healthy dogs require nutritious food to burn as fuel. Invest in top-quality dog food and feed the required amount according to the instructions. Skimping on food leaves your dog hungry and cold.

The right amount of vitamins and minerals boosts coat condition, too. A healthy, glossy coat helps trap warmth on their skin.

6. Buy A Winter Coat

Many dogs, especially short-haired breeds like greyhounds or pit bulls, benefit from a fitted coat. Many stores sell waterproof or padded coats that keep out the winter’s rain and chill.

Make sure a coat fits your dog snugly, so drafts don’t creep in and loose straps don’t rub against their skin and cause wounds. A properly fitted doggy coat traps body heat and boosts their warmth levels, too.

7. Grow Their Fur

In summer, dogs benefit from a regular trim to cut down on their fur mass, but in winter dogs need longer coats to stay warm.

Allowing your dog’s fur to grow in winter adds an extra layer of warmth they really need, plus you’ll save money on the groomer. Just be sure to give them regular brushings to shed dead hair.

8. Buy A Heated Mat

As well as self-heating pet mats, a heated mat helps keep your dog warm.

Choose between a microwavable pad or a plug-in blanket, but only use these with dogs that can easily move. Very young or old dogs might overheat.

9. Cover Crate With A Duvet

Crated dogs don’t have the option to move out of drafts or find a warmer spot, but draping a duvet over the crate helps keep them warm on two fronts Firstly, it prevents drafts, and secondly it traps their body heat.

10. Barricade Cold Floors

It’s much colder on a floor than on a sofa, so whilst your sitting warm watching Netflix, your dog may be shivering on the ground.

Create a barrier between the floor and your pooch to help keep him warm. A duvet, mat, or a few blankets work wonders.

11. Keep Active

Movement creates heat, so playing games with your dog will help generate body warmth. Play fetch, tug of war, races, and catch to boost body heat indoors or outside.

Playing with your dog is a great bonding experience, so it’s good all-around fun.  

12. Warm Their Food

We all know a hot meal warms you up from the inside! Pop some hot water or salt-free stock on your dog’s food to increase its temperature and keep your dog warm.

Don’t microwave a dog’s food because microwaves don’t heat evenly. This can lead to hot spots and a burnt mouth.

13. Offer Warm Water

Would you choose between a warm drink or chilly tap water in winter? Most of us would go for that hot drink, no questions asked. It’s the same for dogs!

Try offering your dog warm water, not boiling water, to heat their insides and noses. A hot drink after a cold walk is a great way to warm up your pup.

14. Invest In Doggy Boots

In cold areas with snow, ice, and frost, dog boots go a long way in keeping their pads protected from the cold. Ice and snow can blister, split, and crack open paw pads, which is painful.

Do consider whether the ground is just too cold for walks each day. Although paw pads feel tough, they are just thick skin. Imagine walking barefoot over frozen pavements twice a day – frostbite is just a few steps away. Doggy boots also protect against toxic antifreeze and road salt.