Dr. R.K. Bhardwaj & Divyansh Pandey
As winter sets in across the country, we instinctively retreat to the comfort of our heaters and warm blankets. Yet, we must remember that for our pets, the cold season brings more than just discomfort-it carries significant health risks. Across India, from the freezing north to the chilly plains, animals face physical stress that demands proactive human intervention. As a veterinarian, we witness a predictable spike in clinic visits during these colder months due to preventable issues. Understanding winter wellness isn’t optional; it is a necessary duty of care we owe to these silent, loyal members of our families, whether they are playful puppies or aging companion. When the temperature drops, we know how to protect ourselves. But our pets, who rely entirely on us, often suffer the winter chill in silence. Whether you have a fragile young pet or a senior companion with aching joints, winter care is an essential part of being a loving pet parent.
Vulnerability Varies: Who is Most at Risk?
The susceptibility of animals to cold is governed by the laws of thermodynamics, specifically the surface area-to-volume ratio. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Toy Pomeranians possess a larger surface area relative to their body mass, causing them to lose metabolic heat to the environment via radiation and convection far more rapidly than larger animals. This vulnerability is compounded in short-haired breeds like Boxers, Greyhounds, and Dalmatians, which lack a dense, insulating undercoat to trap a layer of warm air against the skin. From a clinical perspective, hypothermia occurs when a dog’s core temperature falls below 99°F (37.2°C), a dangerous state for “extreme” age groups. Puppies are at severe risk because they lack the brown adipose tissue (fat) and the mature thermoregulatory reflexes-such as efficient shivering and peripheral vasoconstriction-needed to maintain homeostasis. Geriatric dogs face similar risks due to a slowing basal metabolic rate and age-related muscle atrophy, which reduces the body’s ability to generate heat through movement.
Certain medical conditions further predispose specific breeds to cold-related injuries. For instance, dogs with Hypothyroidism (common in Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers) suffer from a lack of thyroxine, a hormone essential for stimulating metabolic heat production. Conversely, Obesity can be deceptive; while fat provides some insulation, it significantly impairs a dog’s ability to move and generate heat through activity, while also putting extra strain on the heart during cold-induced stress. For regions with extreme winters like Kashmir, breeds with a biological “double coat” are essential for survival. Indigenous breeds such as the Gaddi (Himalayan Sheepdog) and the Tibetan Mastiff have evolved over centuries in the high altitudes of the Himalayas to develop thick, water-resistant outer hairs and a woolly undercoat that acts as a thermal barrier. Other Arctic-origin breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and Samoyed, are also highly adapted, featuring specialized paw pads with increased vascularization to prevent freezing and long, bushy tails that they use to filter and warm the air they breathe while sleeping in the snow.
The Grooming Dilemma: To Bathe or Not to Bathe?
Scientific evidence supports the recommendation for dry grooming during winter because a pet’s coat and skin undergo significant physiological stress in cold, dry conditions. Maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier and the coat’s insulative properties is critical for thermoregulation and health.
1. Protection of the Natural Skin Barrier
Frequent water baths can strip the skin of its natural sebum (oils), which are essential for maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. In winter, low humidity levels already dehydrate the skin, and stripping these oils further can lead to trans-epidermal water loss, causing flakiness, irritation, and increased susceptibility to allergens and infections. Dry grooming with “waterless” shampoos or foams allows for dirt removal without disrupting this protective lipid layer.
2. Maintenance of Thermal Insulation
A dog’s fur coat serves as a primary insulating layer by trapping a static layer of air close to the skin, which minimizes heat loss via convection and radiation.
- The Perils of Wet Fur: Water is a highly efficient conductor of heat; wet fur loses its ability to trap air and can reduce thermal resistance to about one-half of its dry value.
- Mechanical Disruption: Wetting can flatten the “pelage” (fur structure), further reducing its depth and insulative value. This is why pets with wet fur are at a much higher risk of hypothermia in cold environments.
3. Benefits of Regular Brushing
Regular brushing is not merely cosmetic; it is a vital health intervention:
- Thermoregulation: Brushing removes matted fur, which otherwise traps moisture against the skin and destroys the coat’s natural insulating properties.
- Circulation and Oil Distribution: The mechanical action of brushing stimulates peripheral blood circulation and evenly distributes natural oils throughout the coat, which enhances its shine and protective qualities.
- Early Detection: Frequent grooming sessions allow owners to inspect the skin for hidden issues such as parasites, lumps, or cold-weather injuries like frostbite that might be concealed by a thick winter coat.
4. Bathing Safety Protocols
If a full bath is required, using lukewarm water is essential because hot water further strips skin oils and cold water can cause thermal shock. Following up with a thorough blow-dry on a low-heat setting is non-negotiable; towels often leave moisture deep in the undercoat, which can continue to conduct heat away from the body long after the bath is over.
Engineering Warmth: Insulation and Shelter
For pets living indoors, the floor is the coldest part of the house. Elevate their beds! A simple wooden pallet or a thick rug can prevent “conductive heat loss.” Insulate the bed by layering self-warming pet pads or even thick woollen blankets.
For those who maintain outdoor shelters for guard dogs or rescued animals:
- The Three-S Rule: Small, Solid, and Secluded. A shelter should be just large enough for the animal to turn around; if it’s too big, they cannot trap their own body heat.
- Bedding: Avoid blankets outdoors as they can get damp and freeze. Use straw or wood shavings, which trap air and provide excellent insulation.
- Orientation: Face the entrance away from the prevailing “Sheen-vayu” (cold winds) and use a heavy burlap flap for a door.
The Hydration Hurdle: Overcoming Winter Dehydration
A common misconception among pet owners is that dehydration is only a summer concern. In reality, winter poses a unique “thirst challenge.” When the air is cold and dry, pets lose significant moisture through respiration (panting) and the dry indoor heating systems we use. Yet, many pets instinctively drink less because cold water is unappealing and their thirst drive is lower than in the heat.
Dehydration in winter is particularly dangerous because it thickens the blood, making it harder for the heart to pump, and it severely exacerbates chronic conditions like Kidney Disease and Gastroenteritis.
Strategies to Boost Fluid Intake
The Warmth Factor: Animals, much like humans, prefer comfort. Avoid leaving water in metal bowls outdoors where it can become ice-cold. Instead, provide lukewarm water (room temperature or slightly above) and refresh it at least three to four times a day.
Dietary Moisture “Hacks”: If your pet is a stubborn drinker, try “wetting” their food. For pets with no history of diarrhoea or sensitive stomachs, adding warm, unsalted bone broth (ensure it contains no onions or garlic) to their dry kibble can make a meal irresistible while secretly boosting hydration.
Multiple Water Stations: In multi-pet households or larger homes, pets may be reluctant to leave a warm bed to walk across a cold floor for a drink. Place water bowls in multiple, carpeted, or warm areas of the house to make hydration convenient.
Monitor the Output: As a vet, I always tell owners: watch the urine. If your pet’s urine is very dark or has a strong odour, it’s a clear sign they aren’t drinking enough.
Winter Wellness Check-ups
Winter “masks” many symptoms. A dog with Hypothyroidism may seem just “lazy” due to the cold, when in fact their metabolic rate is dangerously low. Similarly, the “winter itch” might not be just dry skin, but a fungal infection fostered by damp coats.
A professional wellness check-up before the peak of Chilla-i-Kalan is essential. This allows us to adjust dosages for chronic medications and assess “Body Condition Scores”-an obese pet may need a calorie-restricted diet even in winter, as excess weight puts undue stress on cold-stiffened joints.
The Silent Struggle: A Final Call to Vigilance
Our pets are masters of stoicism; an evolutionary instinct drives them to hide pain and vulnerability. They cannot articulate when their paws have gone numb from the frost or when the “winter ache” in their joints becomes unbearable. While we retreat to the comfort of our homes, sipping salt tea by the fire or adjusting the thermostat, we must remember that the animals under our watch are experiencing the same environment without the benefit of a voice.
Listen to the Unspoken
Vigilance is your most powerful tool. Watch for subtle behavioral shifts:
The “Winter Limp”: If your older dog is slow to rise or hesitant to walk, it isn’t just “laziness”-it is likely a flare-up of Osteoarthritis, where the cold thickens the lubricating fluid in their joints, making movement painful.
Paw Protection: Check their footpads daily. Snow, ice, and even the salt used to clear roads can cause painful cracks, chemical burns, or “snow-burn.”
Shivering & Lethargy: These are not just signs of being “a bit cold”; they are the first clinical indicators of Hypothermia.
The Best Prescriptions are Not Always Found in a Pharmacy
As a veterinarian, I often tell my clients that the most effective medicine for winter isn’t a pill-it’s a combination of proactive care and empathy.
1. Insulation: Ensure they are elevated off the cold ground and protected from drafts.
2. Hydration: Keep the water bowl lukewarm and full.
3. Nutrition: Adjust calories based on their activity levels and health status (obese vs. underweight).
4. Vigilance: Be their advocate. If the weather is too cold for you to stand outside without a jacket for ten minutes, it is too cold for your pet.
Let us ensure that our silent companions are not left to shiver in the shadows of our winter celebrations. By taking these small, deliberate steps, we can ensure that this season remains a time of cozy companionship rather than a season of medical crisis. A little warmth and a watchful eye are the greatest gifts you can give your pet this winter.
(The author is Professor, Division of Veterinary Medicine, SKUAST-Jammu)
