Hypothermia is a serious condition that can occur when a dog’s body temperature drops below normal. It can become life-threatening, so it’s important to be able to recognize the signs and act quickly. Here’s what to know about hypothermia and dogs:

What is Hypothermia in Dogs?

When a dog’s body temperature dips below normal, hypothermia can occur. A healthy body temperature for a dog is anywhere between 99.5°F and 102.5°F. At birth, puppies typically have a temperature of 93°F to 97°F, and this body temperature rises as they grow.

By 4 weeks of age, their normal body temperature range is 99°-101°F, much closer to the normal temperature range for older puppies and adult dogs. Typically, anything over 103°F is considered a fever in dogs, and anything below 99°F is cause for concern and can develop into hypothermia.

What Causes Hypothermia in Dogs?

There are a few causes of hypothermia in dogs. A dog’s body temperature can fluctuate, and some breeds have a higher tolerance for cold due to insulated coats, such as Huskies, so the causes of hypothermia can vary. While prolonged exposure to cold weather is the most obvious cause, dogs can also lose body temperature from illness or injury. Here are a few common causes of hypothermia in dogs:

1. Cold weather
2. Surgery or general anesthesia
3. Sickness or injury

1. Cold Weather

If a dog is in the cold too long, especially if the temperature is below 32°F, hypothermia can occur. Even if you have a cold-weather snow dog breed, such as a Bernese Mountain Dog or Husky, you still need to keep an eye on how long they are in the cold.

Body heat is lost faster when it’s colder or if the windchill is severe. Excess moisture in the air, such as snow or sleet, can also make hypothermia set in faster. Keeping your dog out of the cold is an essential winter safety tip for dogs.

Like humans, dogs lose most of their body heat through their skin that touches cold surfaces, such as pavement or snow. Body heat can also be lost through the skin to the air. The risk of hypothermia means you should not let your dog be outside in cold weather for a long period of time. They should also not be left out if there’s extreme windchill or if it’s snowing or sleeting.

2. Surgery or General Anesthesia

Hypothermia can set in if a dog needs to have surgery and anesthesia. Veterinarians do take measures to prevent hypothermia from occurring, but surgery can result in body temperature loss due to shaving an area of skin and a cold environment in the surgical room.

Dogs are also laid on stainless steel surgical tables, which can be very cold. During surgery, your dog’s body temperature will be monitored, and steps will be taken to help prevent hypothermia from setting in.

3. Sickness or Injury

Certain injuries or illnesses can cause hypothermia. If your dog is sick or injured, there is a higher risk for them to become hypothermic. This is often because some illnesses can hinder their body from not being able to regulate their own body temperature. These diseases or illnesses can include:

• Kidney disease
• Heart failure
• Canine diabetes
• Certain types of poison
• Blood loss

Signs of Hypothermia in Dogs

If a dog begins to become hypothermic, the blood vessels close to the surface of the skin will start to send blood away from those areas and send it to essential internal organs, like the heart and brain. When this happens, there are some signs and symptoms you should never ignore in your dog that you will notice that can indicate hypothermia.

These signs will begin to progress as hypothermia becomes more severe:

• Shivering in an effort to conserve body heat
• Stiff muscles
• Lethargy
• Trouble walking or disorientation
• Pale gums
• Ears, paws, and nose will be cold to the touch

As your dog’s body temperature continues to drop, you will notice the following changes:

• Your dog will stop shivering.
• They will collapse and stop responding to you.
• They will have fixed and dilated pupils.
• Their breathing and heart rate will become irregular.
• Without treatment, they will die.

If you notice any of these symptoms, get your dog to your vet or an emergency vet clinic as soon as possible. The sooner the intervention, the better your dog’s chance of recovery.

This is just an overview of what to know about hypothermia in dogs. It’s extremely important to recognize the symptoms and understand what causes hypothermia to keep your dog safe.