PupkeeperCautionEmergency
Cold weather (hypothermia and frostbite) and dogs: what to do
Caution. Cold can drop a dog's body temperature (hypothermia) and freeze the skin of the ears, paws and tail (frostbite). Severe cases are an emergency.
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Cold weather (hypothermia and frostbite) and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Caution · Emergency: get help now
- What it can do
- Shivering, which can stop as it gets worse, drowsiness, confusion or clumsiness, pale gums, pale, gray or bluish skin on the ears, paws or tail and painful, swollen or blistered skin. All 6
- How fast
- Frostbite damage can take several days to show
- What to do now
- Go to an emergency vet now. All steps
- Sources
- PDSA, VCA Animal Hospitals, Merck Veterinary Manual. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What to do now
- Go to an emergency vet now.
- Move your dog somewhere warm and dry, and towel off wet fur.
- Wrap your dog in warm, dry blankets.
- Warm frostbitten areas gently with warm (not hot) water.
Don't
- Don't rub or massage frostbitten skin.
- Don't use hot water, a heating pad or a hair dryer.
- Don't warm your dog up too fast.
Symptoms to watch for
- Shivering, which can stop as it gets worse
- Drowsiness, confusion or clumsiness
- Pale gums
- Pale, gray or bluish skin on the ears, paws or tail
- Painful, swollen or blistered skin
- Collapse
When signs appear: Frostbite damage can take several days to show
Why
Very young, old, small, thin or sick dogs are most at risk. The paws, ears and tail are where frostbite most often happens.
Sources
- PDSA: Hypothermia in Pets
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Frostbite in Dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual: What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.