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Pugs don’t really like cold weather and get cold on winter nights,that is where the pug cold weather guide comes in place. They area breed that are easily responsive to the cold and can also become poorly reactive when the temperature starts to drop. In fact, Pugs can get cold just as humans do.
In the following guide tour, I will explain all that is needed to know about Pugs and cold weather conditions. It includes tips and advice on how you can keep your Pug warm in the winter months during the year, it is also a guidance on how to safely to keep them healthy and at comfort.
Why Pugs don’t tolerate cold weather
You might be inquisitive; do Pugs get cold? The answer most likely will be a yes, Pugs get cold in winter. This breed are brachycephalic which adds towards them being more responsive to lower temperatures. Their bodies emits heat fast compared to other dogs, and they mostly have breathing problems due to the nature of their long soft palate.
Their short coats and fur don’t help either, as this implies they feel the cold much more with not as much winter protection as a dog with longer coats or fur would have.
In easy terms, Pugs are not bred to be outdoor dogs. Being easily sensitive to cold, they can become dehydrated and suffer with severe cold in dangerously low temperatures. They are a breed that you really need to take special care of during cold winter temperatures
Signs your Pug is cold
There are some usual symptoms that give you reasons to believe your dog is suffering in cold weather conditions. If you find out your Pug suffering from any of these symptoms, you should try to make them warmer and in few cases seek professional advice.
- Your dog resists to go outside.
- Your dog starts nesting, for example dragging blankets or digging in bed.
- Your dog has obvious shivers and is trembling.
- Your dog appears to behave sluggishly.
- Your dog moves their paws off the floor when outside.
- When your dog is barking or whining.
During really cold weather conditions, Pugs can get frostbite and hypothermia. Hypothermia is a deadly condition that results in blood no longer moving around the dog’s body, tiredness, hardened muscles, and eventually slower heartbeat accompanied with kidney failure.
Signs And Symptoms Of Hypothermia Include:
- Severely shaking and trembling.
- Slowing down paces, not moving and having trouble walking.
- Cold skin and coats or fur.
- Slower heart rate.
- Swollen pupils.
- Blue or sickly gums and eyelids going inwards.
- Difficulty in breathing.
That all sounds really serious, but ensuring you look after your Pug properly in the cold winter months of the year, you should have little to nothing to worry about.
However, even when you do take proper care, your Pug most likely would develop some of the symptoms that are not so serious. For instance, your Pug might actually catch a cold. I have described dogs cold symptoms down below, so you know what to check out for.
How cold is too cold for a Pug?
There will be a point in time when the winter gets extremely cold for a Pug. The temperature that is extremely low for Pugs is about 4 degrees in Celsius (40 degrees in Fahrenheit). This could be too cold, and if joined with wet weather, or with other older dogs or puppies, the danger increases.
If your Pug is moving their paws off the floor, then it is obvious that the cold is way too much for them. At this point in time, it is too late, so check out the infograph below which shows at what temperature your Pug should be really comfortable at.
The numbers in the infograph are based on research I found at the Tufts Animal Care and Conditions scale. If you would like to use this as a source material on your own website, then please do – but just click the link back to Doggysaurus.com as way to show credit.
immediately the temperatures gets to the green and blue numbers, it is too cold for your Pug, and means their health could be in jeopardy.
How to keep your Pug comfortably warm in cold weather
Here is what needed of you to do when temperatures start to decrease, and how you should keep your Pug warm in cold weather conditions. It includes suggestions for walking in the cold without lifting paws off ground, snow, and ice, and what key items you should purchase to help in keeping your Pug warm.
1. Winter Check Their Health
Older dogs are more easily prone to suffering in the cold weather, as are puppies. Low temperatures bring on illnesses faster and can affect existing medical conditions.
When the temperatures start to decrease before winter starts, make sure you take your Pug to the vet doctors to get a proper health check. They will be able to find out anything that could get worse as it gets cold.
2. Move Their Bed And Provide More Bedding
Temperatures fall during the hours of night, and this is when your Pug will be at their coldest. Think about where their bedding is and if it could be moved to a warmer position; for instance,is it close to a door or close to a draft?
You should provide them with some more bedding and blankets to keep them really warm.Your Pug will be able to make a really warm nest at night and get cosy but don’t let them get too warm as it can have a negative effect on your pug.
Pugs get cold but you can help provide some clothing, extra bedding and blankets.
3. Do Not Overfeed Your Pug During The Winter
Most people walk their dogs much less during the winter times. The combined effect of lower temperatures and dampness is enough to put most people off.
Of course, this means your Pug won’t get as much exercise as before, so you might want to put into consideration how much you feed them to avoid weight related issues.
Ensure your Pug’s weight at a reasonable weight. Whilst “feeding a cold” has some validity to it, with more food putting their energy levels higher, is is a good balance.
4. Make Sure Their Drinking Water Is Not Very Cold
Keep a watchful eye on how cold your dog’s water is. Water that is severely cold can make dogs sick, including increasing the risk of exiting cold symptoms and giving them sore throats.
Make sure their drinking water is not freezing if left outside and keep their bowl close to a warmer place inside the house. If you do keep water outdoors for them.
Also keep in mind about the water coming through your faucet. If pipes are close to frozen, cold water will still be too cold, so run lukewarm water instead in their bowl.
5. Do Not Go For Walks When It Is Freezing Outside.
Your Pug might be willing to go outside, but exercise common sense. If it is too cold outside,engage them indoors to use up some of their energy.
With our pug, we play with him using a laser pen which he runs up and down the kitchen until he’s exhausted. It keeps his fitness levels in check and weight balanced, and means we will not have to go outside when it is too cold for him.
6. Use Potty Training Pads In The House
When it is too cold for your Pug to go outdoors and urinate.They work just as well with adult dogs.
Your dog is most likely to remember how they are used, so should be in winter weather conditions.
7. Always Make Use Of A Collar And Chip
Winter time is one of the most risky times of year for dogs to go missing. during dark evenings, possibly snow, and their reactions to the weird environments, dogs will most likely wander off.
When you are walking your pug, and it is not so cold, make sure they have a collar and chip on so they are easily known.
8. Get A Jacket In The Winter For Your Pug
In recent times there has been an increase of Pug accessories together with clothing lines. Most are a bit tricky, but during cold weather conditions,they are important for walking in winter and paw protection. Here are some I recommend.
This has luxurious Sherpa lining to make your Pug warm in winter. It has cargo pockets in it, though not sure what your dog can to carry? Maybe some small treats?
This most likely will not win any style awards, but that’s not the point. It is really warm and is rated very high by Pug owners in the world. You can fix a leash or lead to it without stress, it is water resistant, has an easy to use zipper, and offers a perfect fit.
Before you purchase, make sure you measure and size up your pup properly.
My third suggestion is the Didog winter jacket. What I like the most about it,is that it has a reflective material. This would help you locate your dog in the dark on all winter’s night and ensure cars see them before it is too late.
It is just as warm as Gooby, it is all down to your personal preference on what you like and buy. Keep your Pug warm this winter just like others have done before you.
9. Do Not Forget Paw Protection In The Winter
You should really be checking your Pug’s paw during winter months to check for open cracks and wounds. Paws are easily susceptible to cold weather conditions and ice, and can wear off real quick, becoming hurtful – with the possibility of a frostbite.
10. Trimming Of Nails To Stop Skidding And Injury
If you do not think it is cold enough to buy winter boots, you should still keep your Pug’s paws in shape during winter, and in importantly their nails.
Long nails together with claws will not have the right traction on ice and well compacted snow, and if not trimmed could possibly lead to slipping and injuries.
11. Avoid Road Chemicals And Salts Such As Anti Freeze
During icy weather conditions, human beings put salt and chemicals on the roads and pavements to stop motor vehicles and people from slipping. Whilst this is advantageous for us, on dog paws that are not protected, it can be quite painful the same goes for chemicals like the anti-freeze which could be split up.
This is a major risk with Pugs that are not wearing proper paw protection in the winter.
12. Do Not Let Them Eat Snow
Your Pug is most likely to love seeing the snow for the first time. It is an unusual feeling for them, so they will most likely want to roll about in it.
Dogs being dogs, will often want to taste snow too. It might be cute, but it could make them sick if it has urine, faeces, or chemical traces in it. Do not let your Pug eat snow, it could make them sick in the cold weather season.
13. Do Not Let Them Get Wet
The major risk to your Pug’s health in cold weather seasons is when the cold combines with wetness. It may cause hypothermia or in less major cases, cold related symptoms.
After walking or play in the snow, make sure you clean them up properly, even using a hair dryer if they will allow you.
Check out for snow in between their fur and paws as this turn to cold water once you get back inside the house, which will make their bedding damp too.
14. Do Not Leave Them In Your Car
Everyone knows how dangerous cars can be when it’s hot, but it is also true in winter too. A cold car can cause death so don’t leave your precious Pug in your car or truck.
15. How To Keep Your Pug Comfortably Warm At Night
I have already made highlights on a few ideas on how to keep your Pug warm during the winter, some which can be used at night also. I wanted to bring up a few more tips and hacks here as well, as once night breaks, the temperature will eventually drop.
- Keep their bed away from doors , drafts and away from cold rooms.
- Use a hot water bottle(not too hot).
- Use a bed that is above the floor to avoid the cold floors.
- You should let them sleep with you in your bed.
- Put more blankets when making their bed
- Place their bedding in roundly shaped ring for them to get snuggled in.
- Do not let them sleep close to a radiator or a source emitting heat.
Pug symptoms for cold
As you will surely know, Pugs can get cold easily. If you think your Pug is sick during the cold winter season and low temperatures, it might be a slight cold.
Like human beings,the first sign might be a little running nose and sneezing here and there.
But, just like we humans again, the symptoms can gradually develop into a more serious illness if not tended to properly.
Pugs don’t survive very well with cold weather conditions and winter. As a brachycephalic breed,cavities in their supposed skull are smaller than that of other dogs, meaning mucus can block the cavity in their skull.
Once that occurs,your Pug could get a much more deadly winter illness such as dehydration, hypothermia,probably pneumonia. With that at the back of your mind, it is very important to detect the cold and flu signs and symptoms in your Pug before it gets really serious.
Here is what you should always check out for:
- Nasal discharge or a running nose
- watery eyes or running eyes.
- Sneezing from the nose.
- Wheezing or. Coughing with wet sounds.
- Loss of appetite.
- Shaking due to cold.
- Warmth around ears.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- General sluggishness.
Should You Worry About The Sniffles?
Almost all Pug will have cold symptoms at least once in their lifetime, with the winter being the usual season for it. Usually, some sniffles here and there, or wetter noses than most times it is not something to worry so much about.
When you should be worried would be if your Pug starts coughing in winter. This will need immediate vet response, as it can lead to chest infection in the cold weather.
You can also do your own check; put your ear on your Pug’s chest. It should sound clear but rattling together with gurgling is a sign of likely cold and mucus around the chest area.
Some dog owners try to help their Pug’s by treating the cold without the help of a vet doctor. I do not recommend it, but the ones who do so use a canine nebulizer.During that in a moment.
How To Treat Your Pug With Cold
Here is how to treat a Pug when cold. Please take note though, this should not take over any professional vet doctor’s advice and is purely tips I have found after doing research online, plus reading vet doctor’s comments on well trusted web forums.
1. Encourage Fluid Intake
Dehydration is a major risk I winter cold weather conditions, so your Pug needs to be taking in enough fluids to prevent any risk.Though,most times when dogs are sick, sometimes it is difficult to get them to drink, so you could add a chicken broth to the water bowl.
2. Add Extra Nutrition To Their Food
Your Pug might also have loss of appetite due to the cold weather and can quickly start to losing strength. Try changing their food into something like boiled chicken with brown rice for added nutritional value.
3. Feed Extra Dietary Supplements
You can try to add some supplements into the food to help heal the cold symptoms. These could be items such as coconut oil, cinnamon, and honey. The specialists say that these supplements help Pugs recover from cold as they can help to improve the immune system and will also act as a natural cough drug.
4. Limit Outdoors Time And Maximize Rest
Set a limit to their physical activity and don’t let them go outdoors into the colder temperature. The only reason they should be allowed to go outside is for toilet breaks but if you can, change to puppy pads indoors.
5. Love Together With Affection
What is that one thing that made you feel much better when you had a cold as a kid? It was likely to be cuddles and affection from your parents,Pugs can be the same. See if they want love or need their space they will all surely react differently.
6. Hot Water Bottle
If they do not want you to be close to them, you could get a water bottle heated and place it in their bed. Not too warm, but enough to raise their temperatures to be at a comfortable level.
7. Dog Nebulizer
Before composing this article on Pugs and cold weather, I did not realize you could use nebulizers on dogs. However, a vet doctor told me that some owners will manage their dog’s cold by themselves using one of these tools.
8. Steam Vaporizer
Just like human beings,steam vaporizers will help to clear your Pug’s bronchial tubes and help ease many Pug cold symptoms, making it easier for them to breathe.Place it close to their bed, but not so close that they can knock it over.
9. Apply Pug Balm Foe Nose
Pugs usually get cracked and dry noses in the winter cold weather, or it can go the other way around, with their noses starting to run. For cracked and dry skin, you should try dog nose balm or butter on Amazon. It is really organic and will soothe and repair all cracks.
When You Should Call The Vet
There are certain things to check for which really needs the attention of a vet. Your Pug’s cold could worsen, with the following signs:
- Your Pug has started coughing.
- Your Pug stops drinking fluids.
- Your Pug seems to be in regular pain.
- Your Pug has a grumbling chest sound.
If it is an older Pug or puppy, I would not even wait this long. With the littlest sign of a cold, I would call a vet doctor for advice. They are more prone in these ages to get colds in winter temperatures.
Here is how one vet doctor said they treat a Pug with cold:
We usually have owners bring their dogs during wintertime. It is high time for sure. We treat Pugs with colds just like we treat any other dog; with a small dosage of antibiotics. This works by killing bacteria and helping them build their immune system until their cold has stopped.”
Conclusion
Pugs in cold weather conditions do not really work out very well. These little guys need warm places in the winter, so do be careful at this time of year when snow, ice, and colder temperatures become normal.