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If you think your dog has hypothermia or frostbite, get the dog out of the cold, call a veterinarian right away, and warm the dog gently while you arrange the trip. Do not rub frostbitten skin, do not use very hot water, and do not decide the dog is fine because it stopped shivering. Veterinary sources agree on that much, and the rest of this page lays out what each one actually says.
What hypothermia is, and who gets it
The UK charity PDSA defines hypothermia as a pet’s body temperature dropping dangerously low. It gives the normal range for dogs and cats as 37.7 to 39.0°C, which works out to roughly 99.9 to 102.2°F (that is a conversion, not a figure from the page).
The Merck Veterinary Manual says it is more likely after a long time outside in very cold weather, and describes it as something that usually happens when an animal is lost or exposed in freezing weather. For city owners that is a useful frame. The risk is not a quick lap around the block. It is the dog that bolts out of an open door, gets stuck on a balcony, or is left tied outside a shop. Cornell lists very young animals, older animals and short-haired breeds as the most vulnerable, which matches what you would expect for a dog with little fat and little coat. If your dog might belong to that group, the guide to how cold is too cold for walks covers breed, size and age.
Signs of hypothermia
The sources do not describe it identically, and the differences matter.
| Source | Signs it lists |
|---|---|
| Merck, news article | Acting weak or disoriented, shallow breathing, slow pulse, and at worst collapse and unconsciousness |
| Merck, emergency page | Slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse or unconsciousness |
| PDSA | Shivering, drowsiness, confusion, clumsiness, pale gums, loss of consciousness and collapse |
Shivering is the sticking point. PDSA treats it as the body’s natural response to cold. Merck, on the other hand, says shivering is not usually a sign of hypothermia in pets, as it is in people. A fair reading is that shivering tells you a dog is cold, but a dog can be in real trouble without it. Watch behavior instead: sluggishness, confusion, stumbling, pale gums, shallow breathing.
Signs of frostbite
Merck says frostbite typically affects poorly insulated regions: the tips of the ears, the feet and the tail. It is more likely in dogs poorly adapted to cold, and in wet or windy conditions. The skin may look pale or red, swollen and painful. In severe cases the tissue may turn black and hard and eventually fall off.
The trap is timing. Cornell’s winter safety page notes that frostbite may take several days to detect. A dog can come in from a cold walk looking fine and show damage later. After any long or very cold outing, check the ear tips, paws and tail, and call your vet if the skin looks wrong. Frostbite and hypothermia can both follow prolonged cold exposure, and Cornell calls hypothermia life-threatening.
First steps before the vet
None of this replaces the vet. It is what the sources suggest while you are on the phone and getting ready to go.
Start with the phone call
Merck’s emergency page says that emergency care often starts with your phone call to the veterinarian. Be ready to describe what happened. The vet can help you identify life-threatening airway, breathing or circulation problems while you are on the phone. Cornell is blunt too: a dog you suspect has frostbite or hypothermia should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Warm the dog gently
PDSA’s first aid steps are to dry a wet dog with a towel, put blankets underneath and over the dog, offer lukewarm water if the dog is conscious, and warm the room gradually. Merck says that if the animal is wet, dry it first, then wrap warm (not hot) water bottles around its body. PDSA warns against warming a pet too quickly and against putting hot items such as hot water bottles directly on the animal. Put those two together and the safe reading is warm rather than hot, wrapped in cloth, and never pressed against bare skin.
PDSA also says to have the dog checked by a vet even if you think the dog seems okay afterward.
Treat frostbite slowly
For frostbite, Merck’s emergency page says to thaw the animal slowly, and not to rub it or apply snow or very hot water. The news article describes treatment as rapid, gentle warming with warm but not hot water, plus supportive care. It adds that if tissue has died, amputation may be required, but should be delayed until a vet can see the difference between living and dead tissue. That is one more reason not to start self-treating a severe case.
Red flags that mean go now
Treat these as a reason to head to an emergency clinic, calling ahead if you can: collapse, loss of consciousness, drowsiness that deepens, very shallow breathing, a slow pulse, confusion, or pale gums. Black, hard or cracked skin on ears, feet or tail belongs on the same list. Weak, disoriented behavior in a dog that has been out in the cold is enough on its own.
Keeping it from happening
Cornell’s prevention list is short and practical. Keep dogs indoors in extreme cold, put jackets or sweaters on small, thin-coated or older dogs, and never leave a dog in a cold car. Keep dogs off frozen water and keep microchip details current. For short walks in cold, windy weather, Cornell says small and short-haired dogs may need a coat, with boots for longer stretches. We cover boots in sizing dog boots and getting a dog to wear them, and what to keep in a home first aid kit is worth a read before the first cold snap.
Common questions about hypothermia and frostbite in dogs
Does a dog have to shiver to have hypothermia?
No. PDSA lists shivering as a natural response, but the Merck Veterinary Manual says shivering is not usually a sign of hypothermia in pets. Weakness, disorientation, shallow breathing and a slow pulse are the signs Merck highlights.
Can I warm a cold dog with a hot water bottle?
Merck says to dry the dog first and then wrap warm, not hot, water bottles around its body. PDSA says not to place hot items such as hot water bottles directly on the pet. Keep it warm, keep it wrapped, and keep it off bare skin.
Should I rub frostbitten paws or ears?
No. Merck says to thaw the animal slowly and not to rub it or apply snow or very hot water.
My dog seems fine after being cold. Do I still need the vet?
PDSA says to have a pet checked even if you think it seems okay. Cornell notes that frostbite may take several days to detect, so call your vet if you are unsure.
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