How cold is too cold? Does my dog need a coat for winter walks?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! In reality if Teddy likes the snow and he is comfortable outside you do not necessarily need the booties and coat unless you are staying for an extended amount of time (over 20-30 minutes). You can start using it when it is under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It really depends on Teddy and what he tolerates. For my dogs I usually do it when it is under 20 degrees Fahrenheit based on what they tolerate specifically. Good luck!

For short walks, a few minutes, she can probably go out as is. If you plan on spending more than 5-10 minutes outside or if Maggie takes a long time to do her business, then you may want to consider booties and a coat. You can browse fashions at the link below. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-apparel

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Some dogs really do not like the cold weather. I think it is still fair to try to walk him outside if using a sweater or coat to keep him warm. I would avoid walking him outside when it is raining as dogs can have a hard time regulating their temperature specially when very young. You can get a sweater for him online or at your local pet store. You can use treats to encourage him to walk outside. Good luck and have a good night!

Hello. Dogs can control there body temp quite a bit by how much air collects underneath the hair. Even short hairs can trap the air against the skin & keeps your pet warm like when you wear a puffy coat. As long as Rex seems happy outdoors & is not shivering, then he can stay out for quite a bit of time. But if you see shivering or he is pressed up against the house seeking warmth, bring him in. Anytime there is rain, or significant cold winds, especially if the temp outdoors is close to freezing, bring him indoors after just a short time outside. But if it is sunny, calm winds & temps are not particularly frigid, he can stay out for quite some time. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Batman is cute!!!! I would recommend a coat for sure when he goes outside. If he is going outside for longer then 10 minutes, I would also recommend boots (if he will wear them). These little ones lose body heat quickly. Thank you for using Pet Coach!

As long as he keeps moving and is happy to go out with you there should be no problem. If you think he may be cold, you can always put a dog coat on him. It is good for him to move out. Adjust exercise to his ability. If he gets very stiff, you may want to have him examined by your vet as he is likely to suffer from arthritis. NSAIDs for dogs can greatly improve quality of life as they will lower inflammation and take away pain.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lexie. If she has a jacket and boots, those will help to protect her from the elements. If not, several short outings will be safer than taking her out for a long walk. I would keep the outings short (maybe 10 mins or so) depending how cold the windchill is where you are located. If she doesn't seem be enjoying herself, this is a sign that she is uncomfortable. It is always best to err on the side of caution. If you are at all concerned, I would just give her additional exercise later this week when it warms up a bit. I hope this information helps!