How to Walk Your Dog Safely in Winter

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Winter walks bring cold, wet fur, salted pavements, antifreeze, frozen ponds and dark evenings. This guide covers how long to walk in the cold, how to protect paws and stay visible, what to do when you get home, and the signs of hypothermia and frostbite that mean you need a vet straight away.

How we wrote this: the advice comes from VCA Animal Hospitals, the ASPCA, the AKC, PetMD (a veterinarian-written article), the RSPCA, PDSA, Dogs Trust, Blue Cross and Humane World for Animals, all linked where they are used and checked on 31 October 2026. Gear links go to our own buying guides. This is general care advice, not veterinary advice: if your dog is old, unwell or has arthritis, ask your vet how much winter exercise suits them.

How cold is too cold for a walk?

It depends on the dog. VCA says that whenever temperatures drop below 32°F it is time to take precautions, and at 20°F or lower even short walks can be risky, especially with windchill. Below 20°F it suggests limiting walks to 5 to 10 minutes and protecting your dog with a coat and booties. Watch your dog rather than the thermometer: VCA says to look for signs of discomfort such as shivering or whining, and PDSA says to bring your dog home and into the warmth straight away if they are shivering or slowing down.

Some dogs feel the cold much faster. PDSA names dogs with fine or thin fur, such as Greyhounds and Whippets, and dogs that are very young, underweight, old or unwell. The RSPCA adds smaller dogs, who are closer to the ground, and Blue Cross notes that arthritis can be worse in cold weather, so contact a vet if your dog shows discomfort.

Before you go

• A coat for dogs that need one. PDSA says most dogs are fine with short periods in the cold without extra layers, but thin-coated, young, old or unwell dogs need a warm coat. The RSPCA says a jacket should be snug but not restrict movement. For wet days, see our best dog raincoat guide.
• Paw protection. The ASPCA suggests massaging petroleum jelly or another vet-approved paw protectant into the pads before going out, and says booties give even more coverage. VCA says to use booties if your dog will tolerate them, sized by the maker’s guidelines. See our best dog boots guide, and introduce boots indoors first.
• Trim the fur around the paws. The RSPCA says trimming the fur around the paws and ears prevents ice balls from forming, which are heavy and painful.
• An ID tag. The ASPCA says more dogs are lost in winter than in any other season, because dogs can lose their scent in snow, so make sure your dog always wears an ID tag. See our best dog collars guide.

Be seen on dark walks

Winter walks often happen in the dark. Dogs Trust says to make sure your dog is visible to other people and to drivers, with a coat with high-visibility reflective features, a flashing collar or a light attachment. Blue Cross suggests a flashing or reflective collar or harness for your dog, bright or reflective clothing for you, and a torch or head lamp so your hands are free. The RSPCA says to stick to lit paths and places. Dogs Trust adds that a coat or light is new for some dogs and should be introduced gradually and positively.

On the walk

• Keep the leash on in snow and ice. The ASPCA says never to let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. For leashes and harnesses, see our leash, harness and carrier buying guide.
• Stay off frozen ponds and lakes. Dogs Trust says the ice may not be thick enough to take your dog’s weight. If your dog falls through, Dogs Trust says not to go in after them: encourage them to swim back to you and call the emergency services. Blue Cross says to keep your dog on a lead near frozen water.
• Avoid salted and gritted paths where you can. VCA says rock salt and other salt-based deicers are toxic if eaten off the ground or licked off paws, and very drying to paw pads.
• Watch for antifreeze. Humane World for Animals says antifreeze is a deadly poison with a sweet taste that may attract animals. Keep your dog from drinking from puddles on roads and driveways, and VCA notes that some deicers even contain antifreeze.
• Never leave your dog in the car. The ASPCA says cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold, and the RSPCA says a dog left in a car could develop hypothermia or overheat even with the heating on.

When you get home

1. Wash and dry the paws and belly. The ASPCA says to wash and dry your dog’s feet and stomach after each walk to remove ice, salt and chemicals, and to check for cracks in the pads or redness between the toes. The RSPCA says to wipe the paws and tummy to remove grit, antifreeze and rock salt, which are poisonous to dogs.
2. Melt ice balls gently. The AKC says not to pull ice balls out, but to soak a towel in warm water and massage the icy pad gently to melt and loosen the ice.
3. Dry your dog. The ASPCA says to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside, and the RSPCA says drying a wet dog helps prevent skin irritation and matting that can lead to infections. For towels, drying coats and dryers, see how to dry a wet dog.
4. Take the coat off and hang it to dry. PDSA says most dogs can quickly overheat in a coat indoors, and the AKC quotes a veterinarian warning that a coat put away damp can grow bacteria.

Hypothermia and frostbite: see a vet

These are emergencies, and a coat or warm towel does not treat them. The RSPCA lists signs of hypothermia as shivering (which stops if the dog becomes severely cold), drowsiness and confusion, loss of coordination, pale gums, and loss of consciousness or collapse. PetMD‘s veterinarian author says that if you suspect your dog is hypothermic, bring them to the vet immediately. The RSPCA says to warm them slowly, without placing anything hot directly against the skin, and to contact your vet immediately.

The RSPCA says ears, feet, nose and tail may be at increased risk of frostbite. VCA says frostbite shows as blanched, pale or blue skin, and may look raw or blistered or feel firm to the touch. It is very painful, so never rub the skin to warm it up, and VCA says to seek immediate veterinary care if you suspect frostbite.

If you think your dog has licked antifreeze, rock salt or another chemical, do not wait for signs. PDSA says to tell your vet immediately so treatment can start straight away, and the ASPCA lists its Animal Poison Control line, (888) 426-4435. Humane World for Animals says that if your dog ingests rock salt, call a veterinarian immediately.

For dark evening walks, see our best dog light for night walks guide: LED collars, clip-on lights, harnesses and leashes, based on independent hands-on tests.

For a warm place to rest in cold weather, see our best heated pet bed guide: electric, self-warming and microwave options for dogs and cats, based on independent hands-on tests.

Muddy or salty paws after walks? See the best dog paw washers, with vet advice on cleaning and drying paws and what to look for in a paw washer cup.

Does your dog spend time in the yard? See how to choose an outdoor dog house, with welfare advice on sizing, bedding, shade and the signs of cold or heat stress.

FAQ

Should I still walk my dog in winter?

Most dogs still need their walks, but shorter ones in very cold weather: VCA suggests 5 to 10 minutes below 20°F. If your dog is old, unwell or has arthritis, ask your vet.

Does my dog need boots in the snow?

Not always. The ASPCA and VCA suggest a vet-approved paw protectant or booties if your dog tolerates them, plus washing and drying the paws after every walk. Boots help most on salted pavements.

Is pet-safe ice melt safe for my dog?

The ASPCA says to use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible, and VCA names potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate as pet-safe options. You cannot control what others put on the pavement, so wipe your dog’s paws after every walk, as the ASPCA, VCA and the RSPCA all advise, and call your vet if your dog eats ice melt.

How do I know if my dog is too cold?

VCA and PDSA say shivering, whining or slowing down are signs to head home. If shivering continues, or your dog seems confused, unsteady or has pale gums, see a vet straight away.