Dog or cat with hypothermia (dangerously cold)

Recognise the signs

• Shivering — and concerningly, when shivering stops in a still-cold pet
• Cold ears, paws, and tail
• Sluggish, weak, or wobbly
• Slow heart rate and breathing
• Pale gums
• Confusion or unresponsiveness in severe cases
• Body temperature below 37.5°C (normal is 38.3–39.2°C)

First aid steps

1. Bring the pet indoors and out of any wind.
2. Towel-dry thoroughly if wet — wet fur prevents warming.
3. Wrap in dry blankets, ideally pre-warmed in a tumble dryer.
4. Place a warm (not hot) wrapped hot water bottle or microwaved heat pack against the chest, in a layer of towel — never directly on skin.
5. Offer warm (not hot) water to drink if conscious and willing.
6. Phone the vet — moderate to severe hypothermia needs vet care for IV warmed fluids.

While transporting to the vet

• Keep the pet wrapped and in a warm car.
• Continue warming with covered heat packs against the chest, not extremities.
• Phone ahead — the vet will prepare warmed fluids and a heating pad.

Signs that can usually wait for a routine appointment

• A bright, alert pet who came in shivering from a short walk and warms up quickly with towel-drying and a blanket usually does not need a vet — but contact the vet if recovery is slow or shivering returns.

Common causes

• Lost outdoors in cold weather
• Wet from rain, river or pond on a cold day
• Surgery or anaesthetic recovery
• Very young, very old, very thin, or shaved pets in winter
• Small short-coated breeds (Whippet, Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound) on UK winter walks
• Outdoor cats trapped in sheds or garages

What the vet will need to know

• How long the pet was exposed and to what temperature
• Wet or dry exposure
• Body temperature if you can take one (rectal)
• Mental state — bright, dull, unresponsive
• Any frostbite signs on extremities
• Pre-existing conditions

Aftercare

• Vet treatment may include warmed IV fluids, oxygen, and heart monitoring.
• Frostbite areas need careful management — never rub or pick at affected tissue.
• Watch for delayed kidney injury and pneumonia in the days after.
• Restrict outdoor time during recovery.

Prevention

• Coats and boots for short-coated, small, old, and thin dogs in UK winter.
• Dry pets thoroughly after wet walks.
• Limit time outside in temperatures below 5°C for high-risk pets.
• Provide insulated, raised, dry shelter for outdoor cats — and bring them in during freezing weather.
• Check sheds, garages and outbuildings before locking up — cats trap themselves.

Breed-specific notes

• Highest risk: Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, very young puppies and kittens, post-surgical pets, and old or thin pets.
• Lower risk but not zero: thick-coated breeds (Husky, Newfoundland, Saint Bernard) — they tolerate cold but are not immune.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

• Frostbite on dog or cat extremities
• Dog or cat pulled from water (near-drowning)