"Dogs can die because of the cold, people should take this seriously..."

Photo by stock_colors/iStock / Getty Images

The moment the mercury starts to plummet, reports about dogs left out in the cold start pouring in; sometimes, the stories are horrifying.

In Salem, Massachusetts, someone left this dog tied to a bench outside the Northeast Animal Shelter in seven-degree weather.

Dog abandoned in cold. Credit: Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem, MA

In Detroit, Michigan, a man abandoned a Pomeranian Mix in front of Detroit Dog Rescue in the snow.

The dog did not survive. The rescue is looking for clues based on this surveillance photo.

Watchdog Mary has been inundated with messages from concerned people asking for advice about dogs they've seen left outside, even chained to doghouses, in freezing temperatures.

Some have called police and animal control only to end up outraged when officers decide a dog is not in danger, yet the animal remains shivering in an icy yard.

So, just how cold is too cold for a dog to be left outside? When is it cruel? When is it dangerous?

There's basic common sense: If it feels cold to you unless you own a sled dog, it probably feels cold to your pooch. Don't leave them outside.

If you have to think, "Gee, is it too chilly for my dog to be out?" Experts say bringing them inside is a good idea.

Cold weather evaluation chart

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts created **this Animal Condition and Care chart.**

Veterinarians came up with scientific calculations to help evaluate when it’s too risky to leave a dog outside.

(Click on the link above for the entire assessment document.)

Credit: Tufts University Animal Care and Condition

Veterinarian Lori Teller, a member of the American Medical Veterinary Association (AMVA) Board of Directors, told Watchdog Mary, "Dogs can die because of the cold. People should take this seriously."

Teller explained there is a simple way to figure this out: "If it’s uncomfortable for you to be outside, then your dog may not be that tolerant," she said. "If you have to bundle up, your dog may be cold too. If your dog looks miserable or is shivering, it’s too cold."

A dog's age, breed, and the climate they are accustomed to also play a role.

“What a Chihuahua in Florida can tolerate is different than a Malamute in Minnesota," Teller said.

Tips on evaluating canines in cold weather

Teller said there are key points to keep in mind:

Coat Type: If a dog has a thin coat, like a Chihuahua or a Bull Dog, they don't tolerate cold as well compared to some arctic breeds like a Malamute or Samoyed.
Age: If a dog is older, they may have a difficult time compensating to chilly weather.
Signs of distress: If a dog looks miserable, is shivering, becomes sluggish, and is not responsive, that is dangerous. Call the police right away.
Climate acclimation: Dogs who have always lived in Northern climates may be able to tolerate cold a bit more but use common sense before leaving them outside.

"Even if it’s a sled dog, they need to be kept warm at night, Teller said. “They can tolerate the cold for a longer period than other dogs, but they can’t tolerate it for any prolonged amount of time without having a chance to warm up."

And if you think, "Oh, my dog has a dog house..." Keep this in mind, "Dog houses provide shelter from wind, not temperature," Teller said. "But if it’s really cold, or there's a prolonged freeze, a dog house won’t be of tremendous help. Ideally, those animals would be brought inside."

Should dogs be "outside" dogs?

Speaking of dog houses and dogs kept outdoors 24/7, many animal experts and rescue groups now say the same thing, "The 1950's called, they want their dog care advice back..."

The consensus is, no, dogs should not live outside.

Would you like to be outside 24/7 in the cold, rain, snow, or heat? Neither does the dog.

Then there’s the risk of a dog having a possible encounter with a wild animal, a snake, or an allergic reaction to a bee sting— it’s all dangerous.

Dogs are social creatures. They like having a family.

"I think most dogs like being inside dogs. It’s not exciting to be a lonely dog in the yard by yourself," Teller said. "Dogs should be able to get out and get exercise but should not be running loose, of course. It’s not in the dog’s best interest to spend its life chained in a yard without social interaction, and it’s a risk to its physical health to be in temperature extremes."

If you see a dog in questionable or dangerous conditions

Call your local police and animal control.
Document days, times, and the conditions you observe.
Take pictures and videos.
The Humane Society of the United States has additional advice.

Photo by Creative-Family/iStock / Getty Images

Tips for dog owners dealing with cold weather

Here are some tips to help get you and your pooch through the winter:

Put a sweater or coat on your dog for walks and potty breaks.
Do shorter walks and indoor activities for exercise.
If your dog's activity level decreases due to the cold, they may need a bit less food than usual. Make sure your pet doesn't put on winter weight.
Be careful of liquids on the road; it could be antifreeze, which is very toxic.
Wipe the road salt and anti-icing chemicals off your dog's paws.

"Dogs can die because of the cold, people should take this seriously..."

The moment the mercury starts to plummet, reports about dogs left out in the cold start pouring in; sometimes, the stories are horrifying.

In Salem, Massachusetts, someone left this dog tied to a bench outside the Northeast Animal Shelter in seven-degree weather.

In Detroit, Michigan, a man abandoned a Pomeranian Mix in front of Detroit Dog Rescue in the snow.

The dog did not survive. The rescue is looking for clues based on this surveillance photo.

Watchdog Mary has been inundated with messages from concerned people asking for advice about dogs they've seen left outside, even chained to doghouses, in freezing temperatures.

Some have called police and animal control only to end up outraged when officers decide a dog is not in danger, yet the animal remains shivering in an icy yard.

So, just how cold is too cold for a dog to be left outside? When is it cruel? When is it dangerous?

There's basic common sense: If it feels cold to you unless you own a sled dog, it probably feels cold to your pooch. Don't leave them outside.

If you have to think, "Gee, is it too chilly for my dog to be out?" Experts say bringing them inside is a good idea.

Cold weather evaluation chart

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts created this Animal Condition and Care chart.

Veterinarians came up with scientific calculations to help evaluate when it’s too risky to leave a dog outside.

(Click on the link above for the entire assessment document.)

Veterinarian Lori Teller, a member of the American Medical Veterinary Association (AMVA) Board of Directors, told Watchdog Mary, "Dogs can die because of the cold. People should take this seriously."

Teller explained there is a simple way to figure this out: "If it’s uncomfortable for you to be outside, then your dog may not be that tolerant," she said. "If you have to bundle up, your dog may be cold too. If your dog looks miserable or is shivering, it’s too cold."

A dog's age, breed, and the climate they are accustomed to also play a role.

“What a Chihuahua in Florida can tolerate is different than a Malamute in Minnesota," Teller said.

Tips on evaluating canines in cold weather

Teller said there are key points to keep in mind:

Coat Type: If a dog has a thin coat, like a Chihuahua or a Bull Dog, they don't tolerate cold as well compared to some arctic breeds like a Malamute or Samoyed.

Age: If a dog is older, they may have a difficult time compensating to chilly weather.

Signs of distress: If a dog looks miserable, is shivering, becomes sluggish, and is not responsive, that is dangerous. Call the police right away.

Climate acclimation: Dogs who have always lived in Northern climates may be able to tolerate cold a bit more but use common sense before leaving them outside.

"Even if it’s a sled dog, they need to be kept warm at night, Teller said. “They can tolerate the cold for a longer period than other dogs, but they can’t tolerate it for any prolonged amount of time without having a chance to warm up."

And if you think, "Oh, my dog has a dog house..." Keep this in mind, "Dog houses provide shelter from wind, not temperature," Teller said. "But if it’s really cold, or there's a prolonged freeze, a dog house won’t be of tremendous help. Ideally, those animals would be brought inside."

Should dogs be "outside" dogs?

Speaking of dog houses and dogs kept outdoors 24/7, many animal experts and rescue groups now say the same thing, "The 1950's called, they want their dog care advice back..."

The consensus is, no, dogs should not live outside.

Would you like to be outside 24/7 in the cold, rain, snow, or heat? Neither does the dog.

Then there’s the risk of a dog having a possible encounter with a wild animal, a snake, or an allergic reaction to a bee sting— it’s all dangerous.

Dogs are social creatures. They like having a family.

If you see a dog in questionable or dangerous conditions

Call your local police and animal control.

Document days, times, and the conditions you observe.

Take pictures and videos.

The Humane Society of the United States has additional advice.

Tips for dog owners dealing with cold weather

Here are some tips to help get you and your pooch through the winter:

Put a sweater or coat on your dog for walks and potty breaks.

Do shorter walks and indoor activities for exercise.

If your dog's activity level decreases due to the cold, they may need a bit less food than usual. Make sure your pet doesn't put on winter weight.

Be careful of liquids on the road; it could be antifreeze, which is very toxic.

Wipe the road salt and anti-icing chemicals off your dog's paws.

mary schwager

The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Massachusetts created **this Animal Condition and Care chart.**