Can Dog Paws Freeze in the Snow?
You watch your dog playing in the snow, when suddenly a thought crosses your mind: can a dog's paws freeze in the snow? Or do dogs have paws that are pretty much immune to the effects of freezing temperatures and snow? How do sled dogs keep their paws from freezing?
These are all great questions! For sure, we know that, unlike humans, dogs must come equipped with some type of protective mechanism considering that walking barefoot in the snow is something that us humans can only dream of.
So let's discover how dog paws are made and all their special adaptations that play a role in preventing those feet from freezing.
Are Dogs Built to Thrive in the Cold?
As it happens with humans, some dogs are built for the cold, while others are built for the heat.
For sake of an example, think about the Pharaoh Hound, a breed that boasts a short, glossy coat to help it survive in scorching heat of desert climates, and compare it to the Siberian husky, a breed equipped with a thick double coat to help it survive frigid temperatures.
While it's true that all dogs are descended from wolves and therefore, they share a common ancestor, it's also true that dogs, as domestic animals, have adapted over time to different environments and climates, whether it's the freezing artic or the scorching desert.
Fascinating Adaptations That Keep Dogs From Freezing
Dogs with a history of living in cold places, have developed several adaptations to help them thrive and survive in cold weather. Following is a list of several adaptations.
Thicker Fur
Dogs who live in cold climates are blessed with a double coat, which means it's composed by two layers: the undercoat and top coat.
The dog's undercoat, consists of soft, fluffy fur. This downy fur is meant to trap the warmth generated by the dog's body as a result of metabolic and other physiological processes. This hair therefore prevents the dog's heat from escaping to the colder environment.
The top coat consists of longer, courser hair that is weather resistant. This top layer prevents the dog's undercoat from getting wet from rain and now which is very important considering that, should a dog's undercoat become wet, it will lose its insulating properties.
For sake of comparison, the effect is similar to a human's winter jacket equipped with a insulating interior meant to trap warmth (often made of wool) and a water proof exterior meant to repel water (often made with Gore-Tex).
However, it's important to consider that although these two layers work as a great team to keep the dog warm and comfortable, even in the coldest of temperatures, heavy rainfall or wet snow can still cling to a dog's fur, especially when dogs are spending a lot of time outside in such conditions.
Piloerection
On top of being equipped with warm coats, dogs have the ability to raise the hairs on their neck, back and tail. The term for this feature is piloerection (also known as raised hackles) and it works in a similar fashion as getting goosebumps.
Each dog hair is equipped with a hair follicle which in turn is attached to special muscles that are known as "arrector pili." When a dog is in a normal, relaxed state, his hair follicles will stay at a 30 to 60 degree angle compared to the skin.
When the dog's muscles contract though, as it may happen when a dog is emotionally aroused (frightened or excited) or cold, those hairs stand on end. The raised hairs in this case are meant to trap warm air and create a layer of insulation.
Bushy Tails
Many dogs living in cold climates have bushy tails that are covered in thick fur which can help provide extra insulation. Such tails, like the rest of the dog's coat, can help trap warm air close to the body.
On top of this, a bushy tail can also be used as a "cover" for the dog's nose and face when he sleeps in a curled-up position. Breathing through this "cover" further helps keep the warm air trapped.
It's therefore not a coincidence that many Nordic dog breeds boast bushy tails as seen in the the Alaskan Malamute, the Samoyed and the Siberian Husky.
Warm-Keeping Behaviors
Living in cold climates, evokes particular behaviors that are meant to help the dog stay warm. Such behaviors play an adaptive role in these dog's ability to survive in difficult climates. Following are several warm-keeping behaviors.
Sleeping Curled Up
Sleeping curled up allows dogs to stay warm. This sleeping position indeed allows dogs to conserve heat considering how it helps reduce the surface area that is exposed to cold air and traps warm air.
On top of this, as discussed, when dogs sleep curled up, it allows them to cover their nose and face with their bushy tail.
Sleeping Close to Other Dogs
It's called "social thermal regulation" and consists of the dog's instinct to sleep close to other dogs so to collectively stay warm.
According to the book "K9 Complete Care: A Manual for Physically and Mentally Healthy Working Dogs" by Resi Gerritsen, Ruud Haak, arctic explorers mentioned how dogs in Southern Greenland slept very close to each other near their homes so to keep warm and out of the wind.
The Power of the Paws
A dog's paws also play a role in helping dogs survive in a cold climate. A dog's paws are a marvel of nature, allowing dogs to walk on snow without freezing. Let's take a closer look at how a dog's paws help dogs living in the artic regions.
First of all, some basics in anatomy: dog paws are blessed with tough padding made of layers of insulating fat and connective tissue, not to mention an impressive number of blood vessels.
This greater circulation helps prevent those paws from getting easily frozen.
On top of this, a study conducted by scientists at Tokyo's Yamazaki Gakuen University found that the arteries responsible for providing blood to a dog's paw pads have several networks of tiny veins nearby (venules).
The proximity of arteries and veins results in heat exchange, acting as a counter-current heat exchanger. This artery and vein heat circulation system seems to suggest that the ancestors of the domestic dog may have originated in a cold climate.
Did you know? Some dogs are equipped with what are known as "snow shoe feet." Discover more about them here: snow shoe feet in dogs.
Yes, dog paws can get frostbite too.
The Danger of Dog Paws Freezing in the Snow
While several dogs living in cold climates have developed adaptations to help them survive, it's important to consider that not all dogs are equally built for prolonged exposure to the cold and that dogs can tolerate cold only up to certain point.
Frostbite is not unheard of, and many vets see cases in peak winter season. Frostbite of the paws takes place when the blood vessels constrict causing the tissue to freeze.
A dog's paws, along with their ears and tails, are particularly susceptible to frostbite because they are extremities that are farther away from the body's core, which is better able to maintain warmth.
Signs of frostbite in dogs include skin discoloration causing paws to turn turn pale, blue, or black, dog paws that are cold to the touch, and may appear as hard or swollen.
Predisposed dogs are dogs who live outdoors and are therefore kept exposed to cold weather for extended periods of time.
Small dogs, dogs with short coats, and dogs with medical conditions that impact blood flow, are also at a higher risk.
It's therefore important being aware of the local weather conditions so that you can limit your dog's time outside during extreme cold weather.
If you're planning to keep your dog out in the snow for some time, dog winters boots can help provide extra insulation, while also protecting against ice balls and potentially harmful deicers on sidewalks.
Did you know? Even dogs participating in the famous Iditarod race in Alaska wear booties to avoid injuries from ice and snow!
First Aid For Frozen Paws in Dogs
If your dog has been outside in extremely cold weather, it is certainly possible that their paws have become frostbitten.
Frostbite can affect the ears, tail, scrotum, and toes, and can be more common in dogs who aren't acclimated to being outdoors.
If frostbite is suspected, and its limited to the dog's paw/paws, it's essential to warm the affected area the correct way to avoid doing more harm than good.
First, take your dog indoors, and then carefully soak the paws in warm (never hot!) water. Aim for a temperature of 104 to 108°F (40 to 42°C), basically, a temperature that should feel comfortable for you to place your wrist in it .
Too hot water will do more harm than good. Also avoid rubbing or massaging the area, suggest veterinarians Dr. Ernest Ward and Tammy Hunter at VCA Animal Hospital.
References:
Comparative Anatomy of the Vasculature of the Dog (Canis familiaris) and Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Paw Pad Hiroyoshi Ninomiya1 , Kaoru Yamazaki1 , Tomo Inomata2* 1 Yamazaki Gakuen University, Tokyo, Japan 2 Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
Disclaimer: this article is not meant to be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice or behavioral advice. If your dog is acting sick or aggressive please consult with a qualified professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
