Dogs should not be taken for walks when temperatures drop below this level

Résumé détaillé

The first frost of winter is here and dog owners have been warned of the risks

Dog owners have been urged to be aware of the risk of taking their pets out for their usual walks amid the cold weather. The UK is set to see its first widespread frost as temperatures tumble.

The next few days are set to be cold and frosty, with the Met Office reporting that some hill snow is possible. Cold health alerts have been issued in the West Midlands and North West of England, lasting from 9am on Thursday until 12pm on Saturday.

Overnight lows are widely expected to fall below freezing, potentially dropping to -7C. As we stay wrapped up against the cold, dog owners are being reminded to keep an eye on their furry friends.

Many will be keen to keep up regular walks and take time to enjoy the crisp, fresh air. However, there comes a point when it is unsafe for dogs to be out in the cold.

Just like humans, every dog is different when it comes to dealing with cold weather. Some dogs are much better equipped to deal with the cold, while others can struggle with just a slight chill.

Those that find the cold challenging usually have a thin coat and prefer to be wrapped in coats and blankets. They might find temperatures as high as 5°C difficult to cope with.

Small dogs, puppies, elderly dogs, and slim breeds might find 0°C the temperature they start to struggle at. If it reaches zero and your dog falls within this category, it is recommended you give a walk a miss.

When temperatures drop to -4°C or lower, it is said that walks should be skipped. With such low temperatures come health risks to dogs that would be preventable if they stayed indoors.

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Début de l'article, extrait de Daily Mirror. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.