For dogs and cats · Apr 22, 2013
Winter is harder on your older pet than you might think
Cold temperatures make arthritis worse, raise your pet’s calorie needs, and create real risks that a fur coat simply isn’t enough to handle.
Winter is genuinely harder on older cats and dogs than many owners realise. Colder temperatures directly worsen arthritis pain and joint stiffness, and both species can suffer frostbite and hypothermia, fur is not the protection people assume it is. Over 90% of cats older than 12 years have degenerative joint disease, and osteoarthritis is widespread in older dogs too, yet both are routinely underdiagnosed. The good news is that sensible winter management, making sure they’re getting enough calories, keeping their coat dry, caring for their paws, and staying on top of grooming, makes a real, practical difference.
Dogs and cats are fine in the cold because they have fur
It’s an easy assumption to make. A thick coat looks like insulation, and there’s a long-held idea that animals are naturally tougher than us when temperatures drop. But this belief can get pets into real trouble, particularly older ones.
The AVMA is clear on this: the idea that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur is simply untrue. Like us, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, and the general advice is to keep pets indoors during cold weather [11].
What fur actually does is more nuanced than most owners realise. Research on dogs acclimatised to outdoor winter conditions found they cope with cold in two ways: by increasing the insulating effect of their coat, and by raising their resting heat production [7]. That elevated metabolic cost is worth noting, it means outdoor pets genuinely need more calories in winter just to stay warm [6]. The coat is doing real work, but it is not a guarantee of warmth. A wet coat actively works against that effort. The AVMA specifically points out that a wet coat or jumper can make a dog colder, not warmer [10].
For older pets, the risks go further. Cold weather can worsen arthritis and increase the chance of slipping on ice, and very young, very old, or unwell animals have greater nutritional needs in winter than healthy, middle-aged ones [1][6]. Assuming that fur is protection enough means these vulnerabilities can easily go unnoticed.
How cold affects your pet’s body
Several distinct mechanisms explain why winter is genuinely harder on older and outdoor pets, and it’s not simply a matter of comfort.
Thermoregulation and metabolic cost
When dogs are exposed to sustained cold, the body responds in two ways: the fur coat increases its insulating effect, and resting heat production rises to compensate for heat lost to the environment. That elevated metabolic rate comes at a real cost, outdoor pets need more calories just to stay warm, and very young, very old, or sick animals carry a greater nutritional burden than a healthy, middle-aged pet would.
Paw pad heat exchange
Dogs have a quietly remarkable cold-weather adaptation built into their feet. The paw pad vasculature forms a counter-current heat exchanger, with venules arranged around arteries and supported by arteriovenous anastomoses and venous plexuses. This arrangement recycles heat before blood returns to the body core, reducing the amount lost to cold ground. It works well, but the pads themselves are still vulnerable, to cracking, freezing, and chemical injury from de-icing products on pavements and roads.
Cold and joint deterioration
Lower temperatures are associated with both increased pain and increased rigidity in arthritis sufferers. Arthritic and elderly pets are already at higher risk of slipping and falling on snow and ice, and cold can worsen the underlying condition on top of that. What many owners don’t realise is how common osteoarthritis already is before winter arrives, up to 40% of dogs aged 8 months to 4 years have it, yet clinical signs typically aren’t picked up until dogs are 5-13 years old. In cats the picture is even more striking: approximately 60% of all cats have degenerative joint disease, rising to over 90% in cats older than 12 years.
Coat insulation
A well-groomed coat insulates more effectively than a neglected one, and a wet coat, from rain, snow, or a damp jacket left on between walks, will actually make a dog colder rather than warmer. It’s also worth being clear about this: fur alone does not make dogs and cats inherently resistant to cold. Both species are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia in much the same way people are.
How to protect your older dog or cat through winter, what the evidence actually supports
Coat and warmth
It’s a common assumption that fur makes cats and dogs naturally cold-hardy, it doesn’t. Both are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should generally be kept indoors during cold weather [11]. If your dog wears a coat or jumper, keep a few dry ones on rotation; a wet coat actively makes the animal colder, not warmer [10]. Dogs do acclimatise to cold partly by improving the insulating quality of their fur, which is why regular grooming matters, a well-maintained coat does its job better [7, 13].
Paw care after every walk
After every walk, wipe down your dog’s paws, legs, and belly to remove de-icing salts and other chemical treatments before your dog has a chance to lick them off [8, 12]. While you’re at it, cheque the paw pads for cracking or bleeding [8]. The pads themselves have a clever counter-current vascular system that helps conserve warmth in cold conditions [9], but that doesn’t offer any protection against chemical burns or frostbite on prolonged exposure.
Feeding in cold weather
Outdoor pets simply need more calories in winter, staying warm costs energy [6]. Dogs acclimatised to cold show measurably higher resting heat production compared to summer [7]. Very young, very old, or unwell animals have greater nutritional demands than healthy middle-aged ones [6].
Joint supplements: what the evidence says, and what it doesn’t
Cold, damp weather genuinely worsens joint pain and stiffness in dogs with osteoarthritis [24, 25], and the scale of the problem tends to surprise people: OA affects up to 40% of dogs aged 8 months-4 years, yet the signs typically aren’t picked up until 5-13 years of age [2]. Winter is a reasonable prompt to think about whether a joint supplement is worth adding to the routine.
*Glucosamine and chondroitin* are the most widely used ingredients, and the evidence is genuinely mixed. One rigorous double-blind controlled trial found meaningful improvements in pain and weight-bearing by day 70 [17]. A systematic review found positive cartilage response in roughly half of the studies evaluated [4]. Worth knowing before you reach for the tub.
*Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)* has a more clearly understood mechanism: its key compounds harpagoside and harpagide have documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity [16]. In a canine pilot trial, a herbal blend containing devil’s claw was well-tolerated with no significant changes in blood work [14]. Toxicological data do show that adverse effects emerge at high concentrations, so keeping the dose appropriate is a real safety consideration, not just small print [16].
*MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)* has anti-inflammatory properties and, in human trials, is Generally Recognised As Safe at doses up to 4 g/day with few reported side effects [22]. A 12-week randomised controlled trial in people with mild knee pain showed significant improvement [22], and its mechanisms include anti-inflammatory action alongside sulphur provision for connective tissue [23].
*Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)* showed significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in rodent models, with maximum oedema inhibition at 75 mg/kg in one study [21], with effects attributed to linolenic and linoleic fatty acids [20]. These are animal model findings; canine-specific dosing isn’t established in the available evidence.
Veterinary oversight
Senior pets should be seen by a vet at least twice a year [3]. If your older dog or cat is stiff or reluctant to move in the cold, that’s worth a proper assessment, OA is significantly underdiagnosed in both species [2], and cold-weather worsening is a reliable signal that something needs attention [1, 24].
What we’d recommend
Supports mobility in older pets when cold weather stiffens arthritic joints.
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Frequently asked questions
Does cold weather actually make arthritis worse in dogs and cats?
Yes, and the evidence backs this up. Cold temperatures are associated with increased pain and increased joint stiffness in arthritis sufferers, a pattern seen in human osteoarthritis research and reflected in AVMA guidance for pets. Arthritic and elderly pets are also at greater risk of slipping on snow and ice, which adds further stress to already compromised joints. If your older pet seems stiffer in winter, that’s a real physiological response, not your imagination.
How common is arthritis in older dogs and cats?
More common than most owners realise. Up to 40% of dogs between 8 months and 4 years old already have osteoarthritis, yet clinical signs typically aren’t picked up until 5-13 years of age. Cats are even more underdiagnosed: roughly 60% of all cats have degenerative joint disease, rising to over 90% in cats older than 12. The condition itself is widespread, it’s the recognition that lags behind.
Do glucosamine and chondroitin supplements actually work for dogs with joint problems?
The evidence is mixed, and I think it’s worth being honest about that. Some trials show improvements in pain and weight-bearing at around day 70, but the response is slower than pharmaceutical options like carprofen. A systematic review found positive cartilage effects in only about half of evaluated studies, and these supplements didn’t adequately address subchondral bone changes, synovial inflammation, or osteophyte formation. They’re not without merit, but they’re not a substitute for proper veterinary assessment either.
Are joint supplements safe for dogs, do I need to worry about dosage?
Glucosamine and chondroitin have high LD50 values and are generally considered low-risk, but they aren’t regulated by the FDA and aren’t subject to rigorous quality control. In practice, that means the dose stated on the label may not reflect what’s actually in the product. There is a published case report of multiorgan dysfunction following acute joint supplement overdosage in a dog. Buy from a supplier who can demonstrate quality control, and stick to the recommended dosing guidelines.
Do dogs need more food in winter?
For outdoor dogs, yes. Research shows dogs adapt to cold by both increasing the insulating effect of their coat and raising their resting heat production, both of which come at a metabolic cost. The AVMA confirms that outdoor pets need more calories in winter to generate sufficient body heat, with even greater nutritional demands for very young, very old, or unwell animals. An indoor dog living in a warm, stable environment has considerably lower additional requirements.
Is it safe to let my dog wear a wet coat or jumper in winter?
No, a wet coat makes things worse, not better. The AVMA explicitly advises keeping several dry coats or jumpers on hand so you can rotate them between outings, noting that a wet sweater or coat can actually make your dog colder. This matters especially for older dogs, who are less efficient at maintaining body temperature. Rotate dry coats and towel off your dog if they get wet.
How do I protect my dog’s paws in cold weather and why does it matter?
Paw care in winter comes down to two concerns: physical damage and chemical exposure. The AVMA recommends checking pads regularly for cracking or bleeding, and wiping down paws, legs, and belly after walks to remove de-icing products that can cause poisoning if licked off. Dogs do have a natural heat-conserving structure in their paw pad vasculature, a counter-current exchange system that helps limit heat loss, but that offers no protection against ice melt chemicals or cracked pads from prolonged exposure to cold and wet.
Sources
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats – Musculoskeletal System – Merck Veterinary Manual
- Caring for senior cats and dogs | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis: A review – PMC
- Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome secondary to joint supplement overdosage in a dog – PMC
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Seasonal changes in heat balance of dogs acclimatized to outdoor climate – PubMed
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Functional anatomy of the footpad vasculature of dogs: scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts – PubMed
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Winter Months – Merck Veterinary Manual
- Cold weather animal safety | American Veterinary Medical Association
- A pilot study examining a proprietary herbal blend for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis pain
- The Fight against Infection and Pain: Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) a Rich Source of Anti-Inflammatory Activity: 2011–2022
- Randomised double-blind, positive-controlled trial to assess the efficacy of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis
- Study of the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, marine based fatty acid compounds (PCSO-524 and EAB-277), and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with hip osteoarthritis
- Anti-inflammatory activity of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn) seed petroleum ether extract
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of mucilage of Trigonella foenum graecum (Fenugreek) on adjuvant induced arthritic rats
- Methylsulfonylmethane Improves Knee Quality of Life in Participants with Mild Knee Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids versus glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee arthritis: Randomized trial
- The association between arthritis and the weather
- Physical activity patterns of free living dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis
- Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome secondary to joint supplement overdosage in a dog