For the past few days, France has been experiencing a cold snap, with negative temperatures.
Thick coats, gloves and hats are out, but what about the dogs: do they fear the cold?
Is it necessary to equip them with a coat or to adapt their diet?
The mercury never stops hiding at the bottom of the thermometer.
And this Saturday morning, with up to -14°C upon waking in the Grand-Est, -7°C in Aurillac, -1°C in Montpellier or even -3°C in the capital, the morning walk promises to be chilly for dogs and their masters, many of whom will apply the onion technique to prevent curdling.
But what about their doggies?
Can they rely on their coat alone to protect themselves from freezing temperatures?
Are they sensitive to the cold, do they suffer from it?
Should we bundle them up or adapt their diet?
Not all dogs are equal in the face of the cold
Already, can a dog be cold?
"Like us, they are homeothermic beings: they must maintain their body temperature at 38°C (compared to 37°C for us), so they lose heat when they are exposed to extreme cold", answers Géraldine Blanchard, veterinary doctor specializing in animal clinical nutrition and founder of the nutrition consulting site Cuisine à crocs.
But not all dogs are equal when it comes to the cold.
“There are breeds that are better adapted, thanks to a thick undercoat which helps to maintain body heat, and a small layer of fat too, and which thus better withstand the drop in temperature, specifies the veterinarian.
Like Labradors, all retrievers, Newfoundlands, huskies or even Malamutes.
Dogs adapted to the cold, therefore, but also more susceptible to obesity, with caloric needs in normal times lower by about 20% than the average dog”.
On the other hand, there are four-legged friends who are more sensitive to the cold: this is the case of the small, short-haired chichuahuas that can frequently be seen shivering.
But also “dogs adapted to racing, therefore lighter, naturally very fine or even a little thin,” continues Dr. Blanchard.
Like greyhounds or some hunting dogs like those of the pointer breed.
Due to their constitution, they have higher than average caloric needs.
Food adapted to temperatures
But when it starts to get very cold, “there is a temperature effect for each dog, whatever its category and its resistance, which sees its need for calories increase because its expenditure increases to maintain a stable body temperature, explains the veterinarian.
This is especially true when the dog spends his day outside.
Thus, for people who frequently practice outdoor physical activity with their dog, it is possible to continue to take him on condition of adapting his diet, prescribes Géraldine Blanchard.
To begin, we will watch his dog, possibly weigh him, and ensure that he does not lose weight.
If we see that his ribs are more apparent, then we increase his daily ration a little, by 5 to 10%, no more.
Above all, it is not a question of doubling the portions”.
And for people who make their dog "make a lot more effort, practice an activity with whole days spent outside, it is then necessary to switch to a richer and fatty diet to compensate for this period of intense effort, recommends the veterinarian. .
And if we have dogs that live outside in the mountains, in this case, not only do we increase the ration, but we adapt it: it has to be richer in fat”.
A bit like us with the call of raclette in the mountains.
A call that is also felt in the city.
But that does not always meet a need.
Neither for us nor for our doggies.
“Even with the current temperatures, a dog that goes out two to three times for 15 minutes a day does not need a fuller bowl, warns the veterinarian.
Especially since when it's very cold, the masters tend to shorten the duration of the rides.
Dress warmly
Except that, like us or almost, “dogs really need to go out, insists Dr. Blanchard.
So, if he is sensitive to cold, thin and short-haired, rather than shortening his time out, we can put a little coat on him.
It will be an isothermal layer that will prevent it from losing too much heat”.
And in recent days, masters and mistresses have stormed the specialty shops.
What Manon confirms: in her Parisian boutique in the Marais, she collects a lot of coats.
"Demand has exploded since the start of the cold snap, we sell a lot of them, as well as neck warmers".
Popular accessories "especially to dress small dogs, their masters are really afraid that they will suffer".
"We also have a lot of customers who go to the mountains this winter and ask us for slippers to protect their paws," adds the young woman.
“If you go for long walks in the snow, if the dog makes prolonged efforts in the cold, putting small adapted slippers on him is indicated, confirms Dr. Blanchard.
But for city dwellers, it is not necessary for the daily walk on the sidewalks”.
On the other hand, with or without slippers, "when returning from a walk, it is important to dry the paws of your animal: the cold and the salt can damage them, the pads must not remain wet, nor that it there is moisture and salt stuck between the fingers, underlines the veterinarian.
You can even rinse your dog's paws with clear water before drying them”.
But luckily for everyone, temperatures are expected to rise again on Sunday.
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