Does cold weather affect your dog's joints?
As winter draws in, you might notice your dog is more reluctant to get up and at it. Does cold weather impact your dog’s joints? Learn about winter joint health for your dog.
Many dogs move more stiffly in cold weather, particularly older dogs and those with existing joint wear. Lower temperatures thicken the fluid that lubricates the joints, higher air pressure adds load to the surrounding tissue, and shorter darker days mean less exercise and less muscle to support the joint. Keeping your dog moving, warm and lean through winter matters more than anything else you can do.
How to tell the cold is affecting your dog
Winter stiffness rarely looks dramatic. It shows up as small changes in how your dog starts the day.
Slower to get up in the morning, or after a long sleep, then loosening up after ten minutes of movement.
Hesitating at the stairs, the car boot or the sofa, where they used to move without thinking.
Stiffness that is worse after a walk in the cold and wet rather than during it.
Choosing to lie somewhere warm rather than in their usual spot, or curling more tightly than they do in summer.
Slowing towards the end of walks, or turning for home earlier.
Licking at a particular joint, most often a wrist, elbow or hip.
A dog that is stiff every morning through the winter is telling you something. Stiffness that does not loosen with movement, or a limp that persists for more than a day or two, is a vet appointment rather than a seasonal change.
What effect can wintery weather have on my dog’s mobility?
Many pet owners find they lose a little of their get up and go in the winter months. The combination of dark mornings and even darker afternoons, the chill and wetness in the air makes us reluctant to leave the warmth and cosiness of our homes. This makes keeping up on walks a bit more challenging.
For many, mobility isn’t a top priority when winter sets in.
Humans and dogs alike often find the cold weather and winter months challenging when it comes to joint health and mobility.
Whilst experts still haven’t gotten to the bottom of pinpointing exactly why the cold weather and winter months have such an impact - studies done in humans have shown there is a correlation between mobility and temperature, as well as with humidity, air pressure and wind speed.
All of which change dramatically in the UK during the winter months.
The effects of temperature and humidity changes are more difficult to study in dogs, but given the biological and physiological similarities between humans and dogs, similar results could be inferred.
This is supported by both the increase in numbers of vet visits (focused on mobility and joint health) and the increase in sales of joint supplements for dogs during the winter.
Although science hasn’t yet provided us with a solid answer as to why winter has such a negative impact on mobility, if you notice your dog slowing down a little this winter, there could be a few reasons to consider:
Air Pressure
When the temperature drops, air pressure tends to increase. This can cause an expansion in body tissues, including muscles and tendons. This expansion puts extra pressure on the joints, not seen in the summer months.
Joint viscosity
Joint temperatures fall in response to lower air temperatures, more dramatically than other areas of the body, and this results in slower joint movements. It is thought that the lower temperatures lead to an increase in the thickness of the joint fluid which acts like lubricant oil between the bones. Thickened fluid increases the effort required to move the joints, and decreases the speed they can move.
Increased sensitivity
Studies have also shown that high barometric air pressure can increase sensitivity. Not only that, but the decreased blood flow to extremities (such as paws) can be uncomfortable. Imagine how your fingers feel with no gloves, your dog may be feeling similar.
Decreased activity
When it's cold, we just don't get out for our daily exercise as often, or for as long. Fewer walks, less time outside. Instead, we face rain, muddy boots and pawprints all over the house-and with shorter daylight hours, it's no surprise that our dogs get less exercise. Even in winter, though, it’s important to keep your dog moving as it supports their long-term joint health and mobility.
Mood and stress
Humans often feel more stressed out, or experience low mood in the winter months, which impact our overall wellness. The same goes for our furry friends. Winter can be a more stressful time for your dog. They’re getting out less, socialising less, and seeing less sun. They’ll pick up on your mood too, so if you struggle in the winter months, your dog might also be feeling it.
What helps a stiff dog through winter
Warm them up before they go out. Five minutes of gentle walking on the lead before any running or ball throwing does more than any coat. Cold muscles and a sprint start are how injuries happen, in dogs as in people.
Keep the walks going, but change the shape. Two or three shorter walks beat one long one in the cold, and flat even ground is kinder than frozen ruts or deep mud. Muscle lost over a winter of skipped walks is what makes the following spring harder.
Dry them off properly. A dog left damp loses heat for a long time afterwards, and a cold dog stiffens up. Pay attention to the legs and chest, not just the back.
Raise the bed off the floor. Cold comes up through tiles and concrete, and an older dog on a thin bed on a cold floor will be stiffer in the morning for it.
Deal with slippery floors. Confidence goes before mobility does. A dog that has slipped on laminate once will move differently on it for months. Rugs and runners on the routes they use most are the cheapest intervention available.
Watch the weight. Winter is when it creeps on, with less exercise and the same food. Every extra kilo goes through the same joints.
Support the joints from the inside. Omega 3 fatty acids are the nutrients with the strongest evidence behind them for joint and mobility support. Antinol® Joint Care Pro is built on PCSO-524®, a green lipped mussel oil supplying a full spectrum of omega 3s, and supports healthy joints in dogs at every life stage. Start before the cold sets in rather than after, since it takes time to build up.
It’s not just mobility! Winter can take it’s toll on your dog’s skin too. Learn cold-weather tips for canine skin.
Good routines are built one habit at a time: our dog joint supplements are an easy one.
Frequently asked questions
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Does cold weather make dog arthritis worse?
Many owners and vets report it does, and vet visits for mobility rise in winter. The proposed mechanisms are thicker joint fluid at lower temperatures, higher air pressure loading the surrounding tissue, and reduced activity. The research in dogs is limited, but the pattern is consistent.
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Why is my dog stiff in the morning in winter?
Joints cool overnight and the fluid inside them thickens, so the first movements of the day take more effort. If your dog loosens up within ten minutes or so, that is typical. If the stiffness stays, it is worth a vet check.
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At what temperature do dogs feel the cold?
It varies enormously with coat, size, age and body condition. A thin-coated or older dog can be uncomfortable below about 7°C, while a thick-coated northern breed is happy well below freezing. Watch your own dog rather than the thermometer.
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Should I still walk my dog in cold weather?
Yes. Skipping walks over a winter costs muscle, and muscle is what supports the joint. Shorter and more frequent works better than long, with a proper warm-up first.
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Does my dog need a coat in winter?
Older, thin-coated, small and short-haired dogs benefit, particularly when it is wet as well as cold. A coat keeps them warmer but does not replace a warm-up before exercise.
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When should I start a joint supplement for winter?
Before the weather turns rather than once your dog is already struggling. Supplements build up over weeks, so starting in early autumn puts your dog in a better place for the coldest months.
