11 tips to Keep your Frenchies Safe During Winter

If you believe your dog’s fur coat would keep them warm and secure this winter, think again. Dogs still need a little assistance from their humans to remain warm and safe. 

Your dog’s health can be in danger as the weather becomes colder. Signs to watch out for and how to keep your dog happy and healthy all winter long.  

Cold Tolerance

In general, if you find the weather to be too cold, your dog is likely to feel the same. Temperature tolerance is better in species with thicker coats that originate in colder climates. Short-haired dogs like Italian greyhounds and Frenchie (French bulldog) can tolerate the cold less than  Siberian huskies.

Cold tolerance can also be affected by age. A sweater or coat should be provided for dogs and the old ones who have trouble regulating their body temperature in cold weather, thus keeping them exposed to extreme temperatures.

According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association, dogs with heart disease, kidney (renal) problems, and diabetes are especially vulnerable to the cold. Consider wind chill and other weather conditions, such as rain, sleet, or snow, making the great outdoors considerably harder for dogs.

The precise temperature at which dogs get cold varies. However, if it is 30 degrees or below, you should not leave your dog outdoors for a lengthy amount of time. 

You can visit petfashionweek.com to get more informative tips and tricks on keeping your dogs safe and sound around the year.

Signs a Dog Might be Feeling Cold

Here are a few tips to help you determine whether your dog is too cold to play outside.

The Cold Outdoors

Make your estimation of how cold it is by going outdoors. When you walk outside with a jacket, gloves, and boots and still feel cold, the temperature is too low for the dog. Dogs have higher body temperatures than people and a fur coat to keep them warm. But it is recommended to bring them home in such weather conditions. 

Cold Body

Another method to tell whether your dog is becoming cold is to touch it. If the dog is cold rather than warm, it signifies that the cold has gotten inside. At lower temperatures, blood flow is more concentrated in the trunk section of the dog’s body. Its paws, legs, nose, and ears have less blood flow. Touching these areas, especially around the rims of the ears, can tell you whether your dog is feeling cold.

Body Language

When it comes to freezing reflexes, a dog’s physiology mirrors our own. It is common for them to shrug their shoulders and hunch their backs to keep warm in the cold. They keep their tails curled up close to their bodies so as not to draw attention to them.

Dogs, like humans, tend to seek refuge from the cold weather by hiding behind objects. As you can see, your dog is uncomfortable due to the strong winds. What if you discover your dog exhibiting these signs of stress or anxiety? This is also a hint that it is becoming cold. 

If you are a proud owner of a Frenchie, you might have to be more careful about them as they cannot tolerate extreme cold.

Frenchies and Cold

Frenchies are a fun and adorable breed. If you are a Frenchie owner, you need to be a little worried as they have fewer furs and can be cold quickly. Here are some specific signs you need to look at to understand if your Frenchie is cold or not!

What are the Signs?

In cold weather, there are some warning indicators. If you see any of the following signs or behavior in your Frenchie, it is a sign that he is cold, and you should take action.

• Constant shivers
• Whining and barking
• Shows laziness or being lethargic
• Refuse to go out
• Raises the paws when outside
• Trying to hide under blankets or beds

Frenchies can experience hypothermia and frostbite in more severe circumstances. Hypothermia is lethal since it decreases blood circulation, bodily weakness, rigid muscles, renal failure, and slower pulse.

Tips

Here are some tips to keep your Frenchies safe and warm during cold winters.

Health Check

As previously said, elderly dogs and Frenchie pups are particularly susceptible to cold weather. Additionally, a dog that has a pre-existing medical issue is more likely to get unwell.

Before the arrival of winter, ensure that your Frenchie has had a health check. This allows your veterinarian to look for any indicators of possible health problems that might worsen when the winter weather sets in.

Keep Dog under Supervision

Allowing your Frenchie to remain outdoors in cold weather for an extended amount of time without monitoring is harmful to your Frenchie.

Additionally, never leave your dog alone in a vehicle during the cold. You are welcome to leave them inside the house. Your Frenchie will be more at ease and feel safer in a warm home.

Visit the Veterinarian

As you are probably aware, Frenchies cannot withstand excessive cold. Before the arrival of winter, you should take your Frenchie to the veterinarian for a health examination.

This will enable your veterinarian to examine any indicators of potential health problems that might worsen once the colder season arrives. Additionally, if you see any indications of cold or frostbite throughout the winter, you should call your veterinarian immediately.

Provide more Bedding

Apart from wandering outdoors in the winter, most Frenchies are more sensitive to the cold at night. Frenchies get chilled at night because the temperature decreases.

Consider the location of your Frenchie’s bed to keep them warm at night. That will lead them to a good night of sleep. Is it near a door or a draft? If it is, relocate to a more comfortable area of the home.

However, avoid placing the bed too close to a heater or radiator since this might also cause issues. Frenchies do not manage well in heat, so maintain a safe distance but provide them with more bedding.

Avoid Overfeeding

We have all heard the term “feeding a cold,” and it is not entirely inaccurate. However, make an effort to maintain your dog’s weight within a healthy range.

Because the amount of time you spend outside walking decreases throughout the winter. It is easy for your Frenchie to gain weight because of that.

While increasing their food intake can help them maintain their energy levels in cooler conditions, there is a delicate balance to be struck. Obesity in dogs can cause muscular issues and possibly diabetes.

Give Lukewarm Water

Extremely cold water can cause a sore throat, which can progress to other cold symptoms. Place the bowl of your Frenchie in a warmer area of the home.

The water pouring out of your faucets has most likely passed through partially frozen pipes, making it far colder than typical. Instead, use lukewarm water.

Remain Inside

While your Frenchie can be yearning to go outside, you must balance his excitement with common judgment.

When it is too cold outside, remain inside and train them accordingly. It can help individuals stay active when too cold to go outdoors and maintain their fitness levels.

Winter Paw Protection

Throughout the winter, check your Frenchie’s paws often. Paws can get cracked and damaged in severe cold conditions, causing significant discomfort. If you are walking on snow or ice, you will want to keep your paws warm.

Trim Nails

You should trim your Frenchie’s nails regularly, mainly when there is snow outdoors. If your Frenchie’s nails are longer, it can be dangerous due to slipping and sliding, resulting in a possible winter injury.

Avoid Using Antifreeze

Additionally, while taking winter walks, use caution when walking your dog in areas that have acquired snow and ice. With gritters on the roads, salt being placed, and antifreeze being used constantly, your dog is at an elevated danger of paw burn or poisoning from paw licking.

Wintertime necessitates the usage of several toxic and harmful substances. This will not be a problem if you have paw protection.

Keep an Eye for Hypothermia Signs

Check for indications of hypothermia even if you have followed all of our winter safety advice. Take your Frenchie to the vet straight away if you are worried about her health because of the chilly weather.

If they are still shaking or shivering while being inside, they can be suffering from hypothermia. You might notice that your dog is not shaking for a few minutes, only to begin shivering again after a few minutes.

Some other symptoms include sluggish heart rate, lethargic behavior, and widening eyes. Every time you go for a stroll, be sure to look for any of these symptoms that might appear suddenly. Keep an eye out for symptoms that your Frenchie struggles to move or breathe during the cold months.

Conclusion

If you are concerned about your Frenchie’s health in winter, follow the safety precautions mentioned above. This winter, Frenchies should have no problems as long as you keep them inside, wrap them up when they go outdoors, and keep them clean and moisturized.