The Met Office has issued a five-weather alert as snow and ice begins to blanket parts of the UK. Last night was one of the coldest nights of the year so far, and many dog owners will be wondering whether it's safe to head outdoors today.
While the cold weather can be a danger to dogs, lots of breeds are well-equipped to head out in the snow - it's the ice and grit that pet parents need to be more wary of.
Carolyn Menteith, animal behaviourist at tails.com, shares her top tips for venturing on snowy walks, and what our beloved pooches should always avoid.
Carolyn told the Mirror: "The reality is that in most cases, our dogs are far happier to go out on cold winter days than we are - and often we use them as an excuse not to just put a few more layers on and enjoy a wintery walk.
"A bigger consideration than temperature is ice. Icy pavements can cause considerable damage to your dog's paw pads and can also be hard to walk on.
"The rock salt mixed with sand or gravel that is used to de-ice roads and pavements can cause dryness, chemical burns and cracking to paws - and also noses if your dog is an enthusiastic sniffer, and so should be avoided."
First of all, it depends on your dog's breed or type. Some breeds have thick coats with an undercoat and enough body fat to easily cope with lower temperatures - and many even love the cold far more than a summer's day.
How cold is too cold to go on a walk?
"As a quick rule of thumb, look at the country where your dog's breed (or breeds) was originally developed, and what they were bred to do there," Carolyn said.
For example, a Siberian husky was bred to pull sleds through the harshest snows, so even the coldest UK winter will be no challenge for them.
Whereas a tiny Italian greyhound, bred to be ladies' companions in the Mediterranean, will experience shock at the slightest hint of chill outside.
"Our most popular breeds in the UK come from the gundog group, and while they might not be quite as extreme as the sled dogs, they were still mostly bred in harsh climates and were developed to work whatever the weather," Carolyn said.
"So a snowy day in Swindon isn't going to cause them any problems whatsoever – in fact they probably won't even notice!"
Generally, temperatures below -4°C are too cold for short-haired dogs, while long-coated dogs can be walked in lower temperatures down to -9°C.
Carolyn advises considering your dog's age, as very young and very old pooches do not cope well with extreme temperatures.
Expert tips for walking in winter:
1. Stay wary
Watch out for snow drifts, ice, grit, antifreeze, frozen ponds and other winter hazards. Always avoid gritted surfaces as contain chemicals harmful to dogs.
Remember when crossing roads or walking around traffic that drivers might not be able to stop as quickly as usual.
2. Be seen
Use a reflective dog collar, harness and lead when walking in the snow. Wear reflective clothing yourself so you can be seen.
3. Try indoor enrichment
If you have an older dog or young puppy, replace their daily walks on the below-freezing days with indoor games, training, enrichment and problem solving tasks.
4. Dry off immediately
When you come home, dry your dog off with a towel, as lying around wet is when they are most likely to get chilled. If it has been snowing, check their paws for balls of snow between their toes.
Do you have advice for walking dogs in the snow? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
