Cold weather poses serious welfare risks to outdoor and working companion animals, particularly when owners underestimate cold tolerance limits or leave animals outdoors inadequately sheltered.
Cold weather welfare for companion animals is often misunderstood — owners may believe that a winter coat means cold tolerance, or that a dog house provides adequate protection. In reality, many companion animals are poorly adapted for sustained cold exposure, especially when wet, when housed in inadequately insulated structures, or when working. Proactive cold weather welfare means bringing animals indoors, checking paws after outdoor exposure, and providing appropriate protection for animals who must be outside.