You helped me a lot with my move! I appreciate it.
The forecast for my area next week has temps as low as -20F (-28C), with a lower windchill (I think around -30F/-34C). We will have snow on the ground but I don’t believe it is expected to snow on the coldest days. Side note - we are around 4500ft/1372m above sea level.
So far the winter has been pretty mild and hasn’t gone below 0F/-17C at all. Snow has also been sparse with I think less than 2 inches (5cm) each time, quickly melting. So I haven’t gotten a chance to really get used to such cold temps. We can get some pretty fast winds. I think it mostly sticks between 20-25 mph (32-40 kph). Also a very arid climate. I have a hard time getting my home above 30% humidity. Not sure on the outdoor numbers.
Is there anything different I should be doing for myself and for my dogs? I feel like these temps are dangerous for exposed skin? Not sure.
One of my dogs has medium length hair and the other one is short hair.
For me I have stuff like longjohns, thicker sweatpants, sweatshirts, windbreaker, I also have a wool coat. Then like thicker socks and some fur lined boots. - I’m thinking I need to add a scarf or something for my face and then also make myself wear gloves? I have some sheepskin gloves so I was thinking of putting on like regular winter gloves and then the sheepskin over it?
For the dogs they have a wind resistant fur lined coat and then some winter shoes. So I’m guessing they need something for their head - I have a soft head covering for them but it is slightly too big and keeps falling over their eyes when we practice wearing it. Do I need to get them something that covers their legs and belly better as well?
I was also wondering if I should even be taking them out at all when it’s that cold. I mean I know it is that cold often elsewhere but they are used to the dry heat of the south of the US and I don’t want them to end up not wanting to go outside ever again haha.
I still feel very unprepared for winter weather so I hope my fellow Lemmings can help!
We’re not in that cold weather but we have small skinny dogs with basically next to no hair. We use various layers including Hurtta dog jackets that I finally/just found the last couple months after looking for years. Hurtta jackets are made in Finland geared towards their cold weather. Their Extreme Overall jacket had a hood/snood that I combine with a double layered fleece snood that you can adjust by folding back to make them shorter and then adjust longer as they get used to it. We now walk in the rain with their snood extended fully so their nose is just poking out and they’re ok with that. Their ears were nice and toasty at the end of the walk with the snood fully covering their ears this evening.
I buy snoods from K9 Voyager, Cappi’s Jammies, or Spoiled Bratz Wear. All have been reputable vendors.
I also have purchased heavy duty snaps and and a snap fastener, Hapden snap fastener tool (had good reviews so I purchased and have been happy with). That lets me attach extra pieces like snoods or other gear to customize for the weather.
I… didn’t even consider that adding snaps was an option. Wow. Thanks!
Also, thank you for the recs. That Hurtta jacket looks warm! Definitely saving these for later.
Well for you sound set. You want to dress in layers, and you want to avoid sweating.
I have no idea what kind of dog you have. Honestly here in Chicagoland my dad’s had a number of rescue dogs over the years, and the answer depends on the dog breed. The smaller and less furry a dog is, the less you should expose them to the cold. You may have to have them just go to the bathroom on those little absorbent mats inside if they don’t want to go outside. And the dog will let you know that it doesn’t want to go outside in the freezing ass cold.
But if you’ve got a larger dog, especially a very furry one or a breed that likes the cold (like a husky for example) you’ll have any easier time.
But the most important thing is to pay attention to your dog when you’re outside; it’ll let you know when it’s not happy about where it is.
Thanks. I definitely want to upgrade next year to have one of those grass mats so it looks prettier. But only if I have the energy to deal with maintaining that.
I’m getting better and better about noticing their discomfort. My girls aren’t much into yelping or stuff like that so I’ve always struggled with it. It’s wild how much more I understand about their experiences now that I notice their body language more.
On top of various other recommendations: down. Down / feathers are extremely well insulating. Also lightweight, which is nice. You do need to protect it from moisture, though.
And you don’t want to wear cotton. Modern polyesters are the way to go.
Those temperatures aren’t too cold to take your dogs out, unless you have something like a Chihuahua. But getting them used to wearing a warm jacket and booties is a good idea, especially for the short furred one.
Thanks. I’ve been told opposite things about cotton vs polyester (and a bunch of other things). Do you know where I can read about it more by chance?
Unfortunately my pup is allergic to feathers so down is not in the cards for me :( is wool ok? I also am quite ignorant about water resistant materials so maybe I should just take a deep dive into this stuff lol.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-dress-in-cold-weather.html
Good guide from REI, not an ad you don’t have to buy from them specifically, thrift stores will probably have most things you don’t have.
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-protect-your-dogs-paws-in-winter.html
And another guide for dogs.
I’d also like to point out that REI is a pretty great store. Treats its employees well, is a co-op, only stocks reliable products, etc. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s good.
That’s great to know. I’m always on the lookout for companies that do better in those areas.
I have a cutoff of around -20C for my dogo. Colder than that + winds is probably no go for most dogs not raised to be sled dogs.
Ok good to know. What do you do for potty breaks?
Not OP, but probably a quick in and out on a leash (If no yard) without going for a walk.
Definitely the plan. (Un)Fortunately I am disabled so cannot really walk them far anyway. Thank all of the gods and godesses for dog walkers.
And dog parks! I’m also disabled and going to the park is the best for letting my dogs really get some energy out. Obviously you need to be sure that it’s a safe dog park and not one full of people who ignore their aggressive or unaltered dogs, etc. I’m lucky to have one nearby that is mostly populated by regulars who are attentive and look out for all the dogs.
My dog has a coat with access to do potty as she pleases. She’s not super keen on the cold to begin with either. 😄
Ha! That’s great. I wish I had a doggy door but I am sadly in an apartment. One day! And then I’ll be back here asking for advice on weatherising said doggy door 🎅🏼
