How cold is too cold for a dog?

Use caution when the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (around 7 degrees Celsius). It’s potentially unsafe for little-or-medium-sized dogs with thin coats to be outside, but big dogs with heavier coats are probably OK.

How long can a dog survive in the cold?

Medium dogs (25-50 pounds) can be outside for 30 seconds per degree. Small dogs (15-25 pounds) can only withstand 15 seconds per degree and extra small dogs (less than 15 pounds) 7 seconds per degree. At 10 degrees or colder, the guidelines are cut in half.

Can dogs sleep outside in the cold?

45 degrees or so are generally acceptable, but you’ll still want to keep an eye on how your dog is handling itself in these temperatures. 30-40 degrees is potentially unsafe for your dog, depending on what breed. If they are a Northern breed or have a heavy coat, they are likely okay outside.