What happens when the dog is cold?

Cold weather is a challenge for most dogs. In a low temperature environment, the dog's metabolic rate and body temperature will drop, leading to their different behaviors:

1) Sleepiness: In order to maintain body temperature, dogs will slow down their physical activity and metabolic rate and become more sleepy. This is considered as an adaptive way for dogs to resist the cold.

2) Trembling: If a dog can't protect itself by its body hair and subcutaneous fat, it will start to tremble to increase its body temperature, which is similar to human trembling to some extent.

3) Superficial vascular contraction: In a cold environment, the dog's epidermal blood vessels will contract, reducing heat loss, which is what we often call "fur standing up".

2. How to judge whether the dog feels cold?

Dogs can't express whether they feel cold in words, but other manifestations can help us judge:

1) Dog shivering: If the dog is still shivering in a cold environment or wearing clothes, it is probably because it feels cold.

2) Dogs don't like to move: If dogs are usually active, but don't move much in a low temperature environment, it may be because they feel cold.

3) The dog looks for a warm place: If the dog is loud indoors, it is probably because it is looking for a warm place to shelter itself.

3. How to help dogs keep warm?

When we know the behavior of dogs, we can consider taking measures to help them keep warm:

1) Dress dogs: When dogs move in a cold environment, we can dress them to protect their skin and body from frostbite.

2) Provide a warm bed: At home, we can prepare a warm and soft bed for dogs to help them stay comfortable and warm in cold weather.

3) Moderate exercise: Although dogs will become more lazy and do not like exercise in cold environment, proper exercise can help them improve their metabolic rate and body temperature and improve their cold-proof ability.

4. Be careful of the influence of low temperature on dogs.

Although some dogs may have adapted to the low temperature environment and can handle their own body temperature, we can't ignore the potential danger of low temperature to dogs. The following are the possible effects of low temperature on dogs:

1) Hypothermia: The more severe hypothermia is, the lower the dog's body temperature may be, leading to hypothermia.

2) Pneumonia: If the dog stays in a cold and humid environment for too long, it is likely to be infected, leading to pneumonia and other diseases.

3) Frostbite: If the dog stays in a cold place for too long, vulnerable parts such as limbs, ears and tail may be damaged.

In a word, dogs will feel cold in a cold environment, and we should take relevant measures to help them keep warm and comfortable.