Can Dogs Get Hypothermia and Which Symptoms Mean It Is Time to Seek Care

Can dogs get hypothermia on a night that feels merely chilly to you? Yes. A dog that stays out too long in the cold can lose body heat faster than it can make it, and the result can affect the heart and breathing.

This guide explains what hypothermia is, which dogs are most at risk, the signs and stages, how frostbite fits in, how veterinarians treat it and when to seek care right away.

Can Dogs Get Hypothermia?

Yes. Hypothermia means an abnormally low body temperature. The Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences explains that once it sets in, a dog can no longer hold a normal body temperature, which leads to an irregular heartbeat and breathing difficulties. The Merck Veterinary Manual says it usually happens when an animal is lost or exposed in freezing weather.

The cold does not have to be extreme. The Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital advises bringing pets indoors or giving them adequate shelter once temperatures fall below freezing. Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine offers a simple rule: if it is too cold for you, it is likely too cold for your dog.

Texas A&M gives no fixed time limit for a given temperature, so the safest approach is to restrict time outdoors and watch the dog and not the clock.

Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?

Cornell lists small dogs, puppies, short or thin coated dogs, older dogs, underweight dogs and dogs with other medical conditions as the most vulnerable. It adds dogs that are not used to cold, such as those facing a sudden cold snap. Texas A&M says smaller and younger dogs lose body heat faster, and that older pets taking medications that affect temperature regulation or blood flow are also at risk.

Thick double-coated breeds such as Siberian Huskies and Malamutes tolerate cold better. Texas A&M also lists indoor dogs left outside unsupervised, and WSU notes that lost pets can be exposed for far too long. Our guide to senior pet health emergencies explains why older dogs need quick action when something changes.

Signs of Hypothermia in Dogs

Signs run from subtle to severe, and a dog that cannot tell you it feels cold depends on you to notice them.

Early Signs

Texas A&M lists shivering, lethargy, weakness and shallow breathing. A dog that turns unusually sleepy and slow after time in the cold deserves attention, even if it is still walking.

Why Shivering Is Not a Reliable Guide

Sources disagree on shivering. Texas A&M and WSU list it as a sign, but Merck warns that shivering is not a reliable sign of hypothermia. A dog that is not shivering can still be dangerously cold, so a quiet, weak or unresponsive dog after cold exposure is an emergency whether or not it shakes.

Signs of Severe Hypothermia

Merck lists a slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse and unconsciousness. Texas A&M says shivering stops in severe cases, neurological effects appear and the heart rate can fall to dangerous levels, which can be fatal.

Frostbite in Dogs and Where It Strikes

Frostbite can happen with or without hypothermia. Dogs frostbite most often shows up on the ears, paws and tail tips, and Texas A&M notes that areas with the least fur are affected. WSU adds the nose and paw pads.

Affected skin may look red and swollen or pale and white, according to Texas A&M. WSU describes pain, a prancing gait when walking and tissue that turns gray as it freezes and dies, with possible long-term damage or amputation in severe cases. Cornell warns that frostbite is hard to detect early and that it may take a few days to see how much damage occurred. If you suspect it, Merck says to thaw the area slowly and not to rub it or use snow or very hot water.

Comparing the Stages of Hypothermia

Veterinarians take these temperatures rectally, so use the ranges as context and not as a number to chase at home. The ranges come from Texas A&M and WSU, and the signs come from the sources above.

Stage	Body Temperature	What You May Notice
Mild	90 to 99°F	Lethargy, weakness, shallow breathing and sometimes shivering.
Moderate	82 to 90°F	Irregular heart rate and breathing, visible exhaustion and confusion.
Severe	Below 82°F	Shivering may stop, with a slow pulse, collapse or unconsciousness. It can be fatal.

How Is Hypothermia Diagnosed?

Texas A&M says the veterinary team monitors the dog’s heartbeat, breathing and temperature. The history guides the rest, so tell the team how long your dog was outside, whether it was wet, and whether it was lost or left out unsupervised.

Frostbite can take longer to sort out. Cornell says it is hard to detect early and that the full extent of damage may take a few days to show, so a normal-looking ear or paw on the first night does not close the question.

How Is Hypothermia Treated?

Hypothermia dogs treatment centers on controlled warming, and a veterinary team should direct it.

Calling Ahead and Gentle Warming

Merck says emergency care often starts with a phone call, and the clinic may give first aid and transport instructions. Texas A&M advises against starting home treatment before talking to a veterinarian, and warns that heating pads should never be applied directly to a dog because they can cause thermal burns.

If the clinic tells you to start warming on the way, the sources describe the same gentle approach. Merck says to dry a wet dog first, then wrap warm, not hot, water bottles around the body. WSU says to cover the dog with blankets and let it warm gradually.

Active Warming at the Hospital

Texas A&M says that when a dog’s temperature falls below 98°F, the team begins active warming with warm blankets or heating pads and may feed warmed food. In severe cases, warmed IV fluids can be used, which is one reason the stage matters so much for hypothermia dogs treatment. Heartbeat, breathing and temperature are watched throughout. Our post on why some pet emergencies require overnight monitoring explains why that watching matters.

Treating Frostbite

Beyond slow thawing, frostbite care is a veterinary decision. Cornell says to have a veterinarian see a dog you suspect has frostbite or hypothermia immediately, and WSU notes that severe cases can end in long-term damage or amputation, so early examination matters.

When to Seek Care From an After Hours Emergency Vet

Take your dog to a vet right away if you suspect hypothermia or frostbite. Go immediately if you see a slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse, unresponsiveness or pale or gray skin. Cold emergencies tend to happen at night, when your regular clinic is closed, and an after hours emergency vet exists for that moment. Call ahead, because Merck says a phone call helps the clinic prepare for your arrival.

Waiting makes cold injuries harder to treat, and our post on the impact of delayed emergency care explains why. Our guide to managing pet emergencies during holidays and weekends can help you plan ahead, and our list of pet emergency signs every owner should know covers other red flags.

Not every chilly walk is an emergency. A dog that was outside briefly and is bright, alert and warming up indoors may only need a call to your regular vet for advice. When you are unsure, call.

Protecting Your Dog in Cold Weather

Cornell lists shivering, whining, tail tucking, a hunched posture, lifting paws off the ground and reluctance to walk as signs a dog is not tolerating the cold. Move a dog showing them to a warm, dry area. Texas A&M suggests keeping small, young and older dogs out of the cold for long stretches and using sweaters or booties. WSU adds wiping paws to remove snow and rock salt and giving pets a warm space to retreat to. Cornell says to adjust time outdoors to your dog’s behavior and to avoid long stretches outside when it is very cold, and it notes that dogs with arthritis may struggle for balance on ice or snow.

Check paws, ears and tail tips after any cold outing, since dogs frostbite is hard to see early and may take days to declare itself. Cornell also says to seek veterinary care immediately if your dog drinks antifreeze, another winter emergency.

Acting Fast When a Dog Gets Dangerously Cold

So can dogs get hypothermia? Yes, and it can happen faster in small, young, older and short-coated dogs than owners expect. A dog may show weakness and quiet behavior before anything dramatic, and shivering is not a dependable warning. Frostbite can hide for days. When a dog has been out in the cold and something seems off, the safest move is a phone call.

At North MS Pet Emergency, we function as an overnight and weekend emergency vet for cats and dogs across North Mississippi, Northwest Alabama and Southwest Tennessee. Our team provides emergency evaluation and care for dogs and cats. If your dog has been exposed to the cold and is showing the signs in this guide, do not wait. Contact us immediately for emergency evaluation and care.

Sources

Merck Veterinary Manual, What to Do in a Dog or Cat Emergency (2025). Veterinary reference for pet owners published by Merck & Co., Inc. Supports the definition, the signs, the warning about shivering, warming and thawing guidance and the advice to call ahead.

Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, When is it too cold for your pet? (2025). University teaching hospital. Supports the below freezing advice, temperature ranges, frostbite signs and gradual warming.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Winter safety tips (accessed 2026). University veterinary college. Supports the risk groups, the signs a dog is too cold and the warning that frostbite is hard to detect early.

Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dashing Through the Snow: Signs of Hypothermia (2012). University veterinary college. Supports the temperature ranges, signs, frostbite locations and hospital warming. This page is older, and its temperature ranges match the 2025 WSU page.

FAQs

Q: Can dogs get hypothermia?

A: Yes. Hypothermia is an abnormally low body temperature, and it usually follows time lost or exposed in freezing weather. Small, young, older and short-coated dogs are more vulnerable. A veterinarian should see any dog you suspect has it.

Q: What body temperature counts as hypothermia in a dog?

A: Texas A&M and WSU give mild as 90 to 99°F, moderate as 82 to 90°F and severe as below 82°F, measured rectally by a veterinary team. You cannot judge the stage by touch, so seek care based on the signs.

Q: Does a dog have to shiver to have hypothermia?

A: No. Merck says shivering is not a reliable sign. A cold, weak or quiet dog needs veterinary attention even if it is not shaking.

Q: What does frostbite look like on a dog?

A: Skin may look red and swollen or pale and white, and WSU describes pain and tissue that turns gray. Ears, paws and tail tips are most often affected, and damage can take a few days to show.

Q: When should I take my cold dog to an emergency vet?

A: Go right away if you see a slow pulse, shallow breathing, confusion, collapse or skin that looks pale or gray. Cornell says a veterinarian should see a dog you suspect has frostbite or hypothermia immediately, and calling ahead helps the clinic prepare.