Dogs and cats may have built-in fur coats, but that doesn’t mean they’re impervious to the cold. In fact, pets can suffer from frostbite, just like humans. Whether you take your dog for winter walks or have a cat that roams out in the cold, learn what causes frostbite, signs and symptoms, and what to do to protect your pet.
 

What Is Frostbite?

Frostbite is a skin and tissue injury caused by exposure to freezing conditions. It can be mild, causing temporary injury. This is often referred to as “frost nip.” Severe frostbite can cause permanent damage to the body’s tissue, potentially causing affected parts of the body to die and fall off.
 

What Causes Frostbite in Pets?

When an animal is exposed to the cold, blood vessels close to the surface of their skin contract, helping to minimize heat loss and protect essential internal organs. Lack of circulation prevents oxygen and blood supply from reaching the extremities, particularly the ears, tail, nose, paws and toes.

In mild cases or “frostnip,” the skin may be injured but the blood vessels are not damaged. Once the animal is brought in from the cold, circulation can return to the affected body parts. The area can feel red, warm, tingly, or painful as blood flow returns, but there is no lasting damage.

With severe frostbite, freezing temperatures combined with a lack of circulation can cause the tissue to die. The affected area may be extremely painful, blistered, and may eventually self-amputate or require surgical amputation.
 

How Cold Does It Have To Be To Cause Frostbite?

Pets can suffer frostbite at 32° Fahrenheit and below.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t have to be extremely cold out for your pet to be at risk of frostbite. The body’s tissues are made up of about 60-70% water. So, the ambient temperature only needs to be 32° Fahrenheit, the freezing point of water, just cold enough to snow.

Naturally, lower temperatures and longer exposure times will increase your pet’s risk of tissue damage. Individual factors, such as the length and thickness of your pet’s coat, will determine how long your pet can withstand the cold.
 

How Long Does It Take For Pets To Develop Frostbite?

The colder it is, the faster frostbite can happen. In subzero temperatures, frostbite can happen in as little as five minutes of exposure to the extreme cold.
 

Is My Pet At Greater Risk for Frostbite?

All dogs and cats can develop frostbite with extended periods of exposure to below freezing temperatures. However, certain factors may make your pet more susceptible.

• Smaller pets, as their higher ratio of body surface area can cause them to lose heat more quickly than larger animals
• Pets with short, thin and/or sparse fur, especially on the extremities.
• Pets with a long tail and/or ears.
• Dogs and cats with poor circulation due to old age, heart disease or diabetes.
• Pets with low body fat.
• Pets that take certain medications (beta blockers) for heart disease
  Keep in mind that even large dogs with a thick, fluffy, double-layered coat, like a Husky or Malamute, can develop frostbite.

How To Protect Pets from Frostbite

For most pets, protection from frostbite is simple. Limit your pet’s time outside to no more than 20 minutes, and supervise them for signs of pain or discomfort.

The initial stages cause pain, numbness, and tingling of the affected body parts, but many pets will ignore mild symptoms if they’re enjoying playtime out in the snow. That’s why it’s important to limit your pet’s exposure to the cold whether they show signs of discomfort or not.

If possible, keep your cat indoors, where they’re safe from extreme temperatures, wild animals, and busy roads. If you cannot keep your cat indoors or you are a caretaker of community cats, build a shelter to keep your cat as warm as possible. An electronically heated cat house or a heated outdoor pet bed pad is optimal, but if that’s not feasible, make sure your cat’s shelter is, at least, insulated and resistant to wind and moisture.
 

Do Pets Need Coats and Booties?

Cold weather gear can provide some protection against frostbite. Most winter coats for pets only protect their core, though, leaving their extremities without protection. Look for gear that protects your pet’s ears, tail, belly, and legs.

Your pet’s paws have some built-in protection against frostbite. A network of close-together blood vessels within the paw pads help prevent your pet’s paws from freezing. Some pets also have thick fur between their toes for extra warmth. However, frostbite can affect your pet’s paws. Waterproof booties can help protect your pet’s paws from the cold.
 

Signs of Frostbite in Pets

As frostbite sets in, ice crystals form within the affected tissue. The affected area will appear hard and waxy, and may appear paler than usual. Changes in the color and texture of your pet’s skin may not be obvious through their fur.

Initially, frostbite can be painful, and your pet may limp, rub, or bite at the affected area. However, it’s much more common for the area to be tingly or numb. Pain and inflammation may only set in after circulation returns to the frostbitten tissue.

It can take hours, days, or even weeks for symptoms of frostbite to appear. The skin can change in color, going from pale or bluish to reddish to black. There may be pus-filled blisters. While severely frostbitten extremities can eventually fall off on their own, treatment is necessary to prevent infection and treat pain.
 

What To Do If Your Pet May Have Frostbite

If you notice symptoms of frostbite, or if your pet has been exposed to the cold, for example, if they spent all night outside, or if they got lost for hours, your first instinct may be to get them warmed up right away.

While it’s important to get your pet out of the cold, the way you rewarm their affected area can reduce the chances that they’ll suffer severe pain and permanent tissue damage. This is because the circulation may be rapidly returning to the frostbitten body part.

• Remove damp clothing and allow wet skin and fur to dry.
• Gently wrap your pet in warm towels or blankets.
• AVOID rubbing the affected area, as friction can cause ice crystals to damage the delicate, damaged tissue.
• AVOID using hot water, direct heat, an open fire, or a hair dryer on the affected area.
• AVOID rewarming the area if you cannot keep your pet out of the cold. Thawing and refreezing can cause severe damage.
• See your veterinarian as soon as possible even if symptoms do not seem severe. Tissue damage from frostbite may not always be immediately apparent.