Hey dogaholics, do you agree with me that Pitbull is one of the most super-adorable pets in this world? Pitbull is a sweet, big-hearted buddy and always knows how to please people around them. To keep Pitty in good condition, dog owners need to know how to properly care for them. Do you know, despite their solid, muscular appearance, Bulldogs are also a breed that is vulnerable to cold temperatures, especially in winter? In this article, we will find out the dangers of cold weather for Pitties and answer this question in detail: “How cold is too cold for pitbulls?”.
Do Pitbulls Get Cold Easily
Honestly, I don’t believe Pitties are also vulnerable to cold weather. With such a naturally muscular body, how can Pitbull be a breed afraid of the cold? So let’s find out the truth!
If you have been raising a Pit doggo or are a big fan of this breed, you will surely know that Bulldog is a short hair, single coats breed. Moreover, short legs and low body fat are also the distinctive identifying traits of Pit. These characteristics make them lose body heat quickly and suffer from hypothermia or frostbite in cold weather. But you don’t need to worry much, homies. Yes, Pitty can easily catch a cold, but only if they do not exercise or do not move around frequently. Your doggo is probably fine while he is playing around in the snow or doing exercise with you.
Can Pitbulls Stay Outside In The Cold
As mentioned above, Pitbulls cannot stay outside in cold weather for long periods. But that doesn’t mean Pitty can’t go out in winter.
As long as your Pitty keeps moving around he/she can stay in the cold weather. You can do everything with your dog. The body heat will be generated while Pitties run around and keep them warm.
However, it is not a good idea when you let your Pitbull in the snow outside for longer periods of time. If your Pit is so active with high energy and you absolutely cannot keep your Pitbull indoors, a heated dog house is extremely great for your doggo in the winter.
Therefore, Pitbulls can stay outside in the cold, but they need extra care and protection to stay warm and healthy.
How Cold Is Too Cold For Pitbulls Outside – Pitbull Temperature Tolerance
Well, we already know that Pitties can stay outside in the cold, but not for too long. Then, do you wonder: How Cold Is Too Cold For Pitbulls? Let’s find out the answer!
How Cold Is Too Cold For Pitbull Puppies?
Do you know: Pitbull puppies are superrr sensitive to cold weather? Because these little creatures have everything “less”: less body fat, less fur, and less ability to regulate their body temperature. Pitty pups have a tiny appearance with soft short fur. They are so hyper under every single circumstance but maybe winter isn’t their season. The temperature that is too cold for Pitbulls is around 4 degrees Celsius (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). Pitbull puppies can get cold easily when the temperature is below 50°F (10°C) or when it is wet and windy. Therefore, 50°F is too cold for Bulldog pups. These small buddies really really need extra care and protection to stay warm and healthy in cold weather. Soooo, don’t let Pitty pups outside for a long time in cold weather, they are not ready for that, doggo owners.
Adult Pitbull Temperature Tolerance
Adult Pitbulls will have a better tolerance for low temperatures than Pitbulls puppies. At this stage, they are fully developed with medium to large-sized appearance. However, with their natural short – single coat, they can get cold easily. Any temperature lower than 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4°C to 7°C) is too cold for adult Pitties.
Senior Pitbull – How Cold Can Pitbulls Tolerate
As noticed above, bulldogs can get cold easily, especially when they are older. Their metabolism slows down and they cannot tolerate cold temperatures like adult Pit doggo. Pit owners, you can not leave your senior pitbull outside if the temperature is below 50°F (10°C), especially if the weather is also wet and windy. Another source claims that the senior Pitty can withstand temperatures up to 40°F (4°C). But when the temperature lowers than 32°F (0°C), those poor Pitties may start showing symptoms of cold shock or hypothermia. Therefore, please take good care of your senior pit bulls in cold weather. They totally deserve it!
The Signs Of Cold Stress – How To Know If Your Pit Bull Is Getting Cold?
One day, the early winter cold makes you wonder: How to know if my Pit Bull is Getting Cold? You are so confused because you can not understand what your pet wants? Don’t worry, we will show you some common signs of cold stress that you can look for to know if your pit bull is getting cold.
Physical Signs
- Pale gums: It’s extremely important to check for your Pit’s gums during the winter. Your pit bull’s gums may turn pale or even blue when they are cold, indicating poor blood circulation and oxygen delivery. This is the typical sign of hypothermia, which is a life-threatening condition for your Pitty. What you need to do is to warm up Pitty ASAP or bring them to the nearest vet center.
- Shivering or shaking: This is every single dog’s natural way of generating heat when they feel cold. You may notice your Pitty trembling or quivering, especially in their legs, chest, or jaw.
- Hunched posture and tucked tail: Some Pitty owners think that this is just a normal or even cutie posture of their doggo. But I have to tell you that’s not always the case! That is one of the common signs showing that your Pit is getting cold, buddies. They may curl up their body and tuck their tail between their legs to conserve heat and protect their vital organs.
Behavior Signs
- Whining or barking: Pitties may vocalize their discomfort or distress by whimpering, barking, or whining. This may be their own way of asking for the attention or help of those around them. Please don’t ignore them when they really really need your help! They don’t deserve to be treated like that!
- Not wanting to walk or play: Pitbull is a hyper dog breed with high energy. But one day, your pit may lose interest in walking or playing outside when it’s too cold. This is a sign of cold stress. They may refuse to go out, lag behind, or try to lift their paws off the ground. They may also show signs of pain or stiffness in their joints.
- Seeking shelter: Your pit bull is under a blanket, in a crate, or any cozy place all day without moving. You think your pet is lazy? Noooo, those are the signs that they may try to find a warm and cozy place to hide from the cold. They may also cuddle with you or other pets for warmth.
How To Keep A Pitbull Warm In The Winter
Keeping Pitty warm in the winter can be a little tricky. But don’t worry, my friends. Many helpful tips below can help you and your dog enjoy winter despite the cold. Winter is no longer a nightmare with you and your Pit!
Indoor Tips
- Pitty dog really needs a warm and comfortable area to sleep inside. You can provide a dog bed with a thick blanket or a heated dog bed. Oh, just imagining it makes me feel warm!
- Keep your home at a comfortable temperature, ideally between 68-72°F (20-23°C), to prevent your Pitties from getting too cold.
- Avoid placing your Pitbull’s bed near windows, doors, or vents that could let in cold drafts.
- Do not underestimate the use of a heating pad or a hot water bottle in winter. You can use these things to warm up your Pitty’s bed.
- If your 4-legged friend is very sensitive to cold, you can also dress them in a sweater, a pajama, a hoodie, or whatever you like when they are indoors. Oh my gosh, did you know: The winter dressing Pit is one of the cutest creatures I’ve ever seen in my life. However, make sure the clothing is not too tight or restrictive, and check for signs of overheating, such as panting, drooling, or restlessness.
Outdoor Tips
- Limit the time your pitbull spends outside in very cold weather. Pitbulls are never suited for low temperatures, and they can get frostbite or hypothermia if exposed for too long. Therefore, limit their outside time to no more than 30 minutes. Please remember these tips!
- Dress your Pitties in a coat or a sweater or a hoodie that covers their neck, back, and belly when going outside. Crop tops are never a good winter choice for any dog (just kidding). Investing in a good-quality winter dog coat is never a pointless investment for your Pit. You can also use boots or socks to protect their paws from snow, ice, and salt. And you will be absolutely in love when seeing Pitty in those winter clothes. Super cuteness overload, for sure!
- Avoid walking your pitbull on frozen lakes, ponds, or rivers, as they could fall through the ice and drown. We never expected this to happen, right?
- After a walk from outside in the cold, drying your pitbull with a towel and checking its paws for any cuts, cracks or ice is absolutely essential. Don’t be lazy in this work, dog owners. You can also apply some paw balm or petroleum jelly to moisturize and protect their pads. That’s too perfect and proves that you are the number one dog owner of winter, buddy!
Read more: Pitbull Exercise: How Much Exercise Does A Pitbull Need?
Winter Clothes For Pitbulls
You wanna your dog become a “fashionista”? That’s not a big deal! Not only keeping warm, but winter clothes also make Pit Bull more stylish and adorable than ever. Let’s take a look at some winter clothes for Pitties!
Dog Coats
Stylish puffer coats, wool, denim, or fleece dog coats are popular choices among dog owners in the winter for their adorable Pitty doggo.
Dog Sweater
Dog Sweater is the ultimate winter home wear for dogs. With a comfortable but very impressive design, your Pitty will look outstanding and warm in dog sweaters. You can choose products that are made with 100% polyester and have zippers to protect your pet from cold weather.
Dog Pajamas
I swear I bought my dog Pit over 20 sets of pajamas. Because Pitbulls and all other dogs look super cute in pajamas. When wearing pajamas, my Pitty looks like a teddy bear. Vibrant patterns and vivid colors of pajamas make Pit stand out more than ever in the cold winter.
Do Pitbulls Get Cold At Night
Yes, Pitbulls get colder at night. As you know: The temperature in the evening, especially late at night, can be quite different from the daytime. In winter, nighttime temperatures are even lower. With the natural traits of Pitbull: short coats, short legs, and short muzzles make it more difficult for them to regulate their body temperature in low temperatures. 10 and 20 degrees Celsius (50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit) is the ideal temperature for Pit to chill out. But they can get cold easily if the temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit).
If your doggo gets cold at night for a long time, they are prone to lung and respiratory problems, impaired endurance, and even adversely affect life expectancy. Therefore, you have to wear more clothes and prepare a cozy place for Pitties to sleep inside your house. Pitbull is not a “superman”. So let’s take good care of them in the harsh winter. Stay warm and have a wonderful winter season with your lovely Pitty doggo!
My Dog Loves To Eat Snow – Is It Okay?
There are many dog owners interested in this issue. Eating snow can be a fun and refreshing treat for Pitty. However, you guys need to be careful about how much snow your 4-legged friends eat and where they get it from.
Actually, snow is not harmful at all. If the snow were dangerous, we’d all perish, right? LOL, I’m just kidding. Come back to the dog-eating snow issue. Snow is usually safe for dogs to consume in small quantities, as long as it is clean and fresh. However, eating too much snow can cause stomach upset, lower body temperature, or dehydration. Some dogs may eat snow because they are thirsty, have a health condition, or have an instinctive behavior.
Therefore, if your Pit only eats a small amount of snow, let them eat. But your dog LOVES to eat snow and eats it every single day, that is a very different story.
Common Q&A For How Cold Is Too Cold For Pitbulls
What Is The Coldest Temperature Pitbull Dogs Can Survive?
The coldest temperature that Bullull dogs can survive is around 4 degrees Celsius (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). However, not all dogs are tolerant of this coldest temperature. It can vary depending on the individual dog’s size, weight, height conditioning, age, health situation, and activity level.
Do Pitbulls Like Cold Weather
Pitbull is not a winter dog. So they may not like cold weather. Moreover, they also get cold easily in the winter.
Can PitBulls Survive In Cold Weather Like Siberian Huskies?
Oh c’mon, you can not compare the cold tolerance of a Pitbull and a Siberian husky. Siberian huskies are famous for their double hair coat, denser hair, and large body size, which make them able to withstand very low temperatures. While pit bulls tend to be more vulnerable to low temperatures.
Can Pit Bulls Play In The Snow?
Yes, why not. Sometimes playing with snow is also a great experience for Pitbull. As long as the dog owner doesn’t let Pitty stay outside in the cold for too long.
Although having a huge and muscular appearance, Pitbull is not very resistant to cold. Therefore, it’s really important for Pitty owners to know: how cold is too cold for pitbulls. Hope this article provides satisfactory answers to your concerns. You can use this article as a reference, and vets will provide you with professional advice and help. Stay tuned for more amazing topics about dogs and their lives.