You know frostbite is a very real threat to humans who live in cold environments. Frostbite damages the skin and can lead to tissue damage. But did you know that frostbite can affect dogs, too? Here’s what to know about frostbite in dogs:

What is Frostbite?

Frostbite occurs when extreme cold damages skin tissue. When the temperature drops below freezing (32°F or 0°C), the blood vessels close to the skin surface begin to constrict. The blood vessels constrict to preserve body temperature by directing blood back towards the core of the body. If the temperature is too extreme or exposure is too long, this preservation measure can reduce blood flow too much, which allows tissues to freeze. If skin tissue freezes, it can experience severe damage.

Can Dogs Get Frostbite?

Yes, like humans, dogs can experience frostbite. Even if a dog has a nice thick coat of fur, it doesn’t mean they are impervious to the cold. Frostbite is typically not life-threatening, unless it is followed by hypothermia, which can be fatal. This is why it’s important to make sure your dog is well-protected in extreme temperatures by following some winter safety tips for dogs.

Areas of the Dog Commonly Affected by Frostbite

Frostbite most often occurs on extremities furthest away from the heart. These areas on a dog typically include:

• The tips of their ears
• Tail
• Toes or pads of their paws
• Nose
• Scrotum

These areas are most often exposed to wind, moisture, and cold, so they are the most likely areas to be damaged.

How Long Does it Take for Frostbite to Occur?

Frostbite can develop within 15 minutes or over a few hours, or even days. It just depends on how cold the temperature is or if there’s any moisture in the air. The colder the temperature, the quicker frostbite will develop.

What Does Frostbite Look Like on Dogs?

Frostbite in dogs usually looks like skin discoloration, which can be blue or gray in the early stages. Once the skin begins to warm up, it may become red, blistered, or swollen. There may even be some discharge present. In the most severe cases, the tissue can turn black, indicating necrotic tissue.

7 Signs of Frostbite in Dogs

Be on the lookout for signs of frostbite in dogs, such as:

1. Signs of pain when you touch their skin.
2. Skin will feel cold or brittle.
3. Skin discoloration, either pale, blue, or gray.
4. Swelling or redness once the skin warms up.
5. Skin becomes blistered or ulcerated.
6. Ice may be present on the skin.
7. A drop in body temperature is present.

If you notice any of these signs of frostbite in your dog, make sure to call your vet. However, a drop in body temperature is one of the symptoms you should never ignore in your dog, and you should seek emergency attention.

What to Do If You Think Your Dog Has Frostbite

Even mild frostbite can be serious, so if you suspect your dog has frostbite, try to get them to a veterinarian or an emergency vet clinic as soon as possible. Keep your dog warm by wrapping them in a warm towel, and if driving, make sure the car heater is on.

You can try to warm up the frostbitten area with a warm and moist towel. Make sure the towel is not too hot, as that can cause further damage. Be careful not to rub or cause any friction to the affected area. You also should not try to warm up the area with a heating pad or hairdryer. This can actually make the tissue damage worse.

How to Treat Frostbite in Dogs

Veterinarians diagnose frostbite through a physical examination. They will look for any tissue that is discolored or damaged, and they will also consider your dog’s body temperature. They will ask you about any conditions your dog was in, such as a moist environment, wind exposure, or any illness. If hypothermia is present, this will be treated first and foremost.

Physical Exam

Once your veterinarian has completed their physical exam of your dog, they will begin treatment. Laboratory tests are not often required to diagnose frostbite. However, lab tests may be run to look for any infections or illnesses that might affect the healing process.

Warming Up and Treating Frostbitten Areas

Then, they will turn their attention to any frostbitten areas and begin to warm up the skin. Because this process of warming up the skin can be painful, your dog will most likely receive a pain reliever. If any infections or other illnesses are present, these will also be treated with medication.

Potential Surgery or Amputation For Severe Damage

If the skin tissue is severely damaged, surgery might be required to remove the tissue. If the area is quite large, amputation might even be necessary. Sometimes it can take a day or even a week or two for the full scope of damage to show, so surgery is rarely performed immediately after diagnosis.

Can Dogs Recover From Frostbite?

Dogs can recover from frostbite, depending on how severe the tissue damage is. In mild cases where the blood flow is quickly returned to the area, it can heal within a few days or a week. If the frostbite is more severe, recovery time can take up to a few months, and often, dogs have permanent scarring.

How to Prevent Frostbite in Dogs

These are some of the ways to help prevent frostbite in dogs:

1. Limit exposure to cold and monitor time outside.
2. Provide protective shelter for outside time.
3. Outfit your dog with protective winter gear.
4. Do some post-walk care.
5. Give them more indoor activities.

1. Limit Exposure to Cold and Monitor Time Outside

The best way to prevent frostbite in dogs is to keep them inside during extreme cold weather. Dogs really should not be left out in the cold for long periods of time. Even if you have a snow dog breed, like a Husky or Malamute, that absolutely loves winter and cold weather, they still need monitoring.

2. Provide Protective Shelter For Outside Time

If your dog insists on spending time outside, make sure they have easy access to shelter with warm and dry bedding. This area should be protected from the wind, rain, or snow. However, this should be temporary and not a permanent living arrangement for your dog.

3. Outfit Your Dog With Protective Winter Gear

You can also use dog clothing, like sweaters, booties, and other winter dog products, to help keep them warm and protect their paws. This is especially useful for going out on walks. Dogs still need exercise in the winter, and even if the walk is short, they need protection.

4. Do Some Post-Walk Care

When you come back inside from a walk outdoors, take some time to do some post-walk care to help prevent skin damage and irritation.

Winter Post-Walk Care Tips

1. Remove wet clothing or items.
2. Wipe down paws, legs, and belly to remove ice, road salt, etc.
3. Use a towel to help dry off any wet areas.
4. Check over your dog for anything concerning or potential problem areas.
5. Apply paw balm to moisturize and protect paw pads, if needed.

5. Give Them More Indoor Activities

There are also ways to keep your dog active in the winter that do not require going outside. Indoor scent games are a great activity for dogs to do when going outside is simply unwise for both you and your dog.

This is just an overview of what to know about frostbite and dogs. It’s really important to keep your dog protected from cold temperatures during the winter. Most dogs still enjoy spending time outside even when it’s cold, so make sure they’re protected to prevent any injuries.