When dogs get cold paws, it is usually due to fear, stress or cold. Under certain circumstances, circulatory problems, low blood pressure, chilblains, anemia or even blood clots can also be responsible.
If only one paw and not all of them are cold, then blood clots, heart problems, injuries or an existing chilblain are usually responsible.
In addition, the metabolism becomes increasingly slower as we get older, so that the blood supply to the extremities becomes increasingly poor. Dogs over 10 years old are particularly affected by this.
As a rule, there is only cause for concern if the condition is permanent and the dog expresses other pathological symptoms. [1]
Below you will learn about the 9 most common causes of cold paws, their symptoms and what to do in specific cases.
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#1 Cold
Most dogs have very dense and sometimes long fur that is excellent at insulating heat. Unfortunately the paws don't have that.
So your dog literally runs barefoot in the cold snow in winter. However, what significantly distinguishes their paws from ours is the blood circulation.
In humans, running on ice would cause blood vessels to constrict in order to lose as little heat as possible through the paws.
Things are different with dogs. Here the paw is continuously supplied with warm blood. This has already been proven in a study on arctic breeds. [2]
In an outdoor environment of -35 °C, the temperature of the paws remained at -1 °C despite a long stay. So still cold, but significantly warmer than the surrounding area.
This mechanism does not exist in cats. And not every breed is designed to be in the cold for long periods of time. Many people get cold paws after a short time.
Even the dogs in the world’s longest dog sled race (“Iditarod”) are equipped with dog boots. In addition to the cold, they also protect against other things:
- Injuries: It prevents cuts and also protects already injured paws from new wounds.
- Chemicals: The road salt commonly used in Germany contains toxic substances such as arsenic, lead and mercury. [3]
Road salt in particular can lead to poisoning if the dog licks its paws after going for a walk. But with matching dog shoes this isn't a problem.
Cold outside temperatures as well as ice and snow can cause dogs to get cold paws. A short walk in the German winter is not a problem for most breeds. If you are staying for a longer period of time, winter shoes can be useful.
#2 Hypothyroidism
So-called thyroid hormones are produced in the thyroid gland. These also play a key role in the dog's metabolism, among other things.
But if this small gland doesn't produce enough of these hormones, it affects the entire body. Doctors also refer to this as “hypothyroidism”.
The best way to recognize this is that the dog is constantly tired, appears listless and is also losing more hair. Other typical signs of this are:
- Very thin hair
- Lack of energy
- Unexplained weight gain
- Cold paws
- Unusually low pulse
- Dark pigment spots on the skin
- Thickening skin [4]
Dogs with hypothyroidism also generally freeze much more quickly. A small wind can be enough for the dog to start shaking.
In most cases the cause is unclear. However, it is most common in large dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Doberman Pinschers.
In most cases, the dog must take medication for treatment until the end of its life. But this means a relatively normal life is possible. [5]
If dogs produce too few thyroid hormones, they will increasingly have problems with heat regulation. Among other things, this can lead to cold ears and paws. In addition, affected dogs usually appear unusually lethargic.
#3 Low blood pressure
Blood pressure measures how strong the pressure in the arteries is due to the pumping heart. Both too high and too low blood pressure are suboptimal.
If the pressure is below normal, doctors also speak of “hypotension”. It is usually triggered by the loss of large amounts of blood. Other causes are:
- Allergies
- Poisonings
- Lack of fluids
- Problems with the kidneys
- Liver problems
- Anemia [6]
The quickest way to check is to measure the “recap time”. To do this, press your thumb against the dog's gums so that they become pale.
After you remove the pressure, the gums should become reddish again after 2 seconds at the latest if your blood pressure is healthy. Other typical symptoms are:
- fatigue
- Cold paws
- Pale gums
- Cold ears
- Constant thirst
- Weak pulse
- Dog looks confused [7]
Your doctor can check your blood pressure within a few minutes. In the long term, treatment depends on the cause. Medication can also help in the short term.
If blood pressure is too low, the dog's organs can no longer be adequately supplied. Among other things, it causes the entire metabolism to slow down, the dog gets cold paws and is constantly thirsty. Pale gums are also common here.
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#4 Circulatory disorders
Dogs' paws are kept warm primarily by the circulation of blood. However, this function is limited if there are existing circulatory disorders.
Since the blood vessels in the pad of the foot are relatively thin, cold paws are also considered a kind of early warning system for blood circulation problems. Typical causes of this are:
- Liver diseases
- Anemia
- Heart disease
- Internal bleeding
- Cancer diseases [8]
In addition to cold paws and cold ears, there are almost always other visible symptoms. Typical examples are here:
- Dog tires quickly
- Redness on the paws
- Bluish gums
- Dog breathes laboriously
- fainting
- Sudden tremors
- Increased breathing rate [9]
If you have any suspicions, I recommend consulting your doctor immediately. Problems with the cardiovascular system are among the most common causes of death in dogs.
If there is not enough warm blood circulating in the body due to circulatory problems, this can often be recognized by cold paws. Among other things, the gums usually change color and breathing becomes increasingly faster.
#5 Anxiety & Stress
Have you ever wondered why we ask people if they get “cold feet”? It is one of the most common signs of stress and anxiety.
It's no different with dogs. Here too, when you have strong negative feelings, stress hormones are released, which lead to tense muscles. [10]
And since blood vessels are almost always surrounded by muscles, they become increasingly constricted under stress. Other typical symptoms include:
- Tense posture
- Cold paws and ears
- Avoiding eye contact
- Retracted tail
- Sudden tremors
- Ears laid back
- Constant beeping
- Frequent yawning [11]
The most common causes for this are violence in upbringing, a lack of socialization and noise. But loneliness and storms can also trigger fear in sensitive dogs.
The first step here is to identify the possible trigger. You can then either eliminate it or get your dog used to it step by step.
When dogs are struggling with severe anxiety or stress, this usually manifests itself in a tucked tail, a slight trembling and cold ears. Among other things, dogs usually adopt a hunched posture and yawn a lot.
#6 After surgery
During larger operations such as castration, dogs are usually anesthetized. During this time, dogs also lose control of thermoregulation.
The entire organism slows down and the dog automatically produces less heat. The extremities in particular become noticeably colder here. [12]
Even hours after surgery, the dog's metabolism can still be relatively slow. During this phase, cold paws are normal and nothing to worry about.
A little food and normal running usually help to stimulate the metabolism. A chewing bone is also ideal here as it strengthens the muscles around the teeth.
However, if the dog still has cold paws 24 hours after the operation, I recommend contacting the vet as a precaution.
The recommended medications may also be responsible for this. Because many of them have a side effect that they can influence blood circulation.
Before an operation, dogs are usually anesthetized, which also limits their ability to regulate their temperature. In practice, this results in dogs having cold paws and a generally lower body temperature for up to 24 hours after an operation.
#7 Anemia
The blood itself contains both red and white blood cells. The red particles are primarily responsible for transporting oxygen to the organs.
However, if there are too few red blood cells in the blood, the organs may be undersupplied. Doctors refer to this as “anemia”.
The best way to recognize this is that dogs breathe in very quickly and deeply. This is just trying to maintain oxygen supply. Other symptoms include:
- Severe fatigue
- Dark colored chair
- Dog appears depressed
- Crusts on the skin
- Cold paws and ears
- Whitish gums
- Dog tires quickly
- Loss of appetite [13]
In many cases, anemia is genetically determined. Under certain circumstances, internal bleeding, poisoning or even blood-sucking parasites could also be behind it.
Medications, viruses and Cushing's syndrome can also be responsible. You should definitely see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. [14]
Dogs with anemia can no longer supply their organs and muscles with enough oxygen. This in turn means that the heart cannot transport enough blood to the paws and the paws become noticeably colder.
#8 Chilblains
If the paws are exposed to cold for too long or too much, the dog can develop chilblains. This is frostbite.
You can recognize them because the affected area on the paws is unusually pale, cold or even bluish. Other typical signs include:
- Touch sensitivity
- Blistering
- Dark and dead skin
- swelling
- Severe pain [15]
Basically, chilblains can occur anywhere…