Dog coats

Is my dog cold?

It can be hard to tell whether your dog is cold, because dogs don't always show it clearly. Here are the signs to look out for – and how you can easily make a difference.

By Hundlands1 min read

Fryser min hund?

Signs your dog is cold

  • Shaking or shivering
  • Slowing down or wanting to go home
  • Lifting paws off the ground
  • Curling up
  • Looking tense and moving more stiffly than usual

A simple rule of thumb: if the behaviour changes in the cold and goes back to normal indoors, your dog is probably cold. Wind and damp make heat disappear faster than you'd think – even temperatures around zero can feel really cold when it's windy and wet.

Which dogs feel the cold most?

  • Short-haired, thin-coated breeds without a dense undercoat
  • Small dogs, which lose heat faster
  • Puppies and older dogs
  • Slim or lean dogs with less insulating body fat

Does your dog fit the list? Keep an extra eye out for the signs above during the colder months.

Not sure which coat fits?

Answer three questions in our dog coat guide and get a recommendation for your dog.

Go to the guide