You should never leave your dog alone in the car when the outside temperature is below freezing or above 70 degrees. Dogs with thicker fur or short skulls (brachycephalic breeds) are more susceptible to heat stroke. It is never safe to leave a dog alone in a car, even with the windows down.
Dogs' temperatures should not reach over 104 degrees. If your dog's temperature does, follow the instructions below for treating heat stroke.
Anything above 20C can cause your dog to become dehydrated and very hot very quickly. The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. As the temperature increases, even by just 1C, the risk to your dog increases too. Any temperature over 25C is a definite NO when it comes to walking!
Best House Temperatures for Dogs
When you leave the house never set the thermostat higher than 82 degrees, and always provide lots of fresh water for your dog. Dogs with heavy coats also appreciate access to a cool tile or cement floor. In the winter, 68 F to 72 F is comfortable for you and your dog.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
As a general guide, above seven degrees is considered safe for most breeds. If the weather drops to below zero, it is beginning to become unsafe for most dogs. Below minus 12 degrees, while unlikely in Australia, is considered life-threatening.
At around 12 – 15 degrees most pets will probably be quite safe. At 10 degrees, you need to keep an eye on them as it can be potentially unsafe depending on their age, general health, and breed.
The optimum temperature for the well-being of pets is between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius, both in winter and summer.
It is possible for dogs to get cold at night, even if they're kept indoors. "If you think your dog is getting cold at night, consider giving him a cozy blanket to snuggle up to in bed. Most dogs will not feel cold at night or will seek out a warmer place if they do," says Satchu.
Temperatures of between 12-15 degrees are generally fine for most dogs to sleep in comfortably.
If you can't hold the back of your hand to the pavement outside for more than a few seconds, it's too hot for your pet. On hot, humid days, you should bring your pet inside if the indoor environment is cooler (for example, if you have air conditioning).
25 degrees is when you start dipping into dangerous weather, so you'll want to use caution, especially if your dog has already shown sensitivity to warmer weather than this. 20 degrees and lower is where you reach potentially life-threatening cold weather.
As a general rule of thumb: at 45°F (7°C) and below, most dogs will dogs will start to become uncomfortable. at 32°F (0°C) and below, small, thin-coated, young, old and sick dogs should not be left outside for long. at 20°F (-7°C) and below, dogs become vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite.
At 10 degrees or colder, the guidelines are cut in half. In 10-degree weather a large dog can be outside for five minutes, medium dogs for two to three minutes and any smaller than that “carry them outside, let them go to the bathroom, and bring them right back in,” said Malinich.
An ideal temperature doesn't exist for all dogs, since their normal body temperature will vary according to size. Most dogs begin to show signs of overheating when the air temperature is between 81 and 85 degrees F.
In general, most dogs can tolerate temperatures down to the low 40s. Think of 45 degrees Fahrenheit or about 7.2 degrees Celsius as your cut-off point for long periods of time outside.
Keep Your Dog Warm – Sleeping on a blanket instead of tile or a hardwood floor can provide your dog a source of warmth and comfort on a cold winter night. This is especially true if you don't sleep in the same room as your dog, or don't allow them on your living room furniture.
If the tips of your pet's ears are warm, they're probably warm enough all over – the extremities tend to get cold first. Animals which are smaller, leaner, or animals with shorter coats will feel the cold much more acutely.
Yes. All dogs can benefit from blankets. Young, old, and sick dogs need the added comfort. Small dogs, short-haired breeds, and dogs who are prone to be more cold-blooded need the extra warmth.
The breed of your dog will be the main determiner for when it's safe for it to go outdoors in very cold weather. Small and medium breeds with thinner coats will struggle in -4°C conditions. Bigger dog breeds with thicker coats can withstand temperatures of -6°C.
5 degrees Celsius: at this temperature, “cold averse” dogs may start to struggle. So, if your dog is particularly small, has a thin coat or spends most of their life snuggled up in a blanket, it may be time to give dog coats a go, reduce the length of your works, or even give the walks a miss.
Even if your dog has a thick, heavy coat, they might still feel chilly in the winter. Pets are just as likely to get frostbite (frozen skin and tissue) and hypothermia (low body temperature) as their owners. But it's easy to protect your pooch from the cold.
Dogs, just like people, can develop hypothermia in cold temperatures. Small, short-coated, short-legged and toy breeds are at highest risk for hypothermia and problems can become apparent at temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius.