It happens quietly. The nights start drawing in a little earlier. The morning walk has an edge to it that was not there a fortnight ago. You reach for a jumper on the way out of the door, and somewhere around the same time, your dog starts hunting for the warmest square of carpet in the house. Summer is turning to autumn, and the question moves from keeping your dog cool to keeping them warm.
Here is a practical, no-nonsense guide to helping your dog through the turn of the season comfortably, whatever their age, size or coat.
The quick answer
To keep your dog warm as the weather turns: add a jumper for cool, dry days and chilly evenings; use a waterproof coat (ideally over a jumper) for cold, wet, windy walks; pay extra attention to puppies, senior dogs and small or thin-coated breeds; keep beds off cold floors and away from draughts; dry your dog thoroughly after wet walks; and look after paw pads. Watch the dog, not just the thermometer.
Know which dogs feel the cold
Some dogs sail through a British winter in nothing but their own coat. Others need a hand. The ones who feel the cold soonest are small and toy breeds, thin or single-coated breeds like whippets and greyhounds, puppies, senior dogs, dogs with arthritis, and any dog that is unwell, underweight or recently clipped. Thick double-coated breeds such as huskies and most spitz types are built for the cold and usually need very little help.
If you are not sure whether your dog needs a layer yet, our guide to when a dog needs a jumper walks through it breed by breed and temperature by temperature.
Layer for the walk
The simplest way to think about warmth is layers, exactly as you would dress yourself for the same weather.
The warmth layer: a jumper
A jumper traps body heat and is ideal for cool, dry days, frosty mornings, chilly houses and the car. Natural fibres like alpaca and wool are warm for their weight and breathable. Our handmade alpaca wool jumpers (£45) are hand-knitted in Peru from a soft alpaca blend, with a ribbed turtleneck and a leash opening, and are properly warm without being heavy. For an everyday, machine-washable option, the fleece-backed Cosy Jumper (£14.99) is a great-value favourite, with an opening for easy harness access.
The weather layer: a coat
When it turns wet and windy, a jumper alone is not enough, because a soaked dog gets cold fast. A waterproof, windproof coat keeps the rain off. Our Eco-Friendly Sarah Raincoat (£39.99), made from recycled ocean plastic, and the reversible "Francis" Bomber Jacket (£44.99) both do the job in style. On the coldest, wettest days, layer a warm jumper underneath and the coat over the top. For more on choosing weatherproof layers, see our guide to the best waterproof dog coats UK 2026.
Dry them properly after wet walks
A damp dog loses heat quickly, and a cold, damp dog is an uncomfortable one. After a wet or muddy walk, towel your dog off thoroughly, paying attention to the chest, belly, legs and paws, and let them settle somewhere warm and draught-free to finish drying. Never leave a wet dog shivering in a cold utility room.
Make the home warm and draught-free
Most of your dog's day happens indoors, so a few small changes make a big difference:
- Lift the bed off cold floors. Tile and laminate pull heat away from a sleeping dog. A thicker, well-padded bed, or simply moving it onto a rug, helps a lot.
- Move beds away from draughts. Check for gaps under doors and by windows, and reposition the bed to a warmer, quieter corner.
- Add a blanket. Many dogs love to burrow. A soft, washable blanket lets them make their own warmth.
- Mind the senior dogs. Older dogs and those with stiff joints feel the cold more and benefit from extra padding and warmth, and often from a jumper indoors on the coldest days.
Look after paws
Cold, wet pavements, mud and the first road grit of the season are hard on paw pads, which can dry and crack. A natural balm keeps them supple and protected. Our CALM & CARE Paw Balm (£7), handmade in the UK with lavender and chamomile, looks after paw pads and doubles as a calming balm for the darker evenings and fireworks season ahead. Wipe paws after gritty or muddy walks, too, so your dog is not licking off anything they should not.
Adjust the routine
As the daylight shrinks, walks drift into the dark at both ends of the day. Add a reflective or light-up element to your dog's kit for visibility, keep at-risk dogs' walks shorter and brisker in very cold weather, and top up the mental exercise indoors with sniff games and chews on the days the weather keeps you in. Keeping warm is not only about layers, it is about sensible routines too.
Feeding and weight
Dogs use a little more energy keeping warm in winter, but most pet dogs in a heated home do not need a dramatic food increase, and colder months often come with less exercise, so watch their weight rather than automatically feeding more. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors or is working, talk to your vet about adjusting portions.
When warmth becomes a health matter
Persistent shivering, reluctance to move, cold ears and extremities, or a dog seeking heat and hunching miserably are signs your dog is genuinely too cold. Puppies and seniors are most at risk. If a dog becomes very cold, lethargic or unresponsive, warm them gradually and contact your vet, as these can be signs of hypothermia. When in doubt, get them warm and get advice.
Frequently asked questions
How cold is too cold for a dog?
It depends on the dog. Many are fine down to around 7°C, but small, thin-coated, young or senior dogs feel the cold sooner and benefit from a layer below about 10°C. Below 0°C, keep at-risk dogs' walks short and layer a jumper under a coat. Wind and rain make it feel much colder.
Should my dog wear a jumper indoors?
Some do benefit from it, particularly small, senior, thin-coated or arthritic dogs in a cool home. If your dog seeks out warm spots, burrows under blankets or shivers indoors, a light jumper can help them stay comfortable.
Do I need both a jumper and a coat?
For many dogs, yes, because they do different jobs. A jumper is for warmth on dry days, and a waterproof coat is for wet, windy weather. On cold, wet days, layer the jumper underneath and the coat on top.
How do I keep my dog's bed warm?
Lift it off cold hard floors onto a rug or a thicker base, move it away from draughts, and add a soft washable blanket to burrow into. A warm, quiet corner away from doors and windows is ideal.
Does my dog need more food in winter?
Usually not much. Most pet dogs in heated homes do not need a big increase, and they often exercise less in winter, so monitor weight rather than automatically feeding more. Ask your vet if your dog is outdoors a lot or working.
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