Questions
- Do dogs get cold at night?
- Signs your dog is cold at night
- Keeping your dog warm indoors overnight
- Keeping your dog warm outdoors at night
- Winter safety tips for nighttime
- Training dogs to sleep indoors overnight
- Recommended Jollyes products
- Conclusion: keeping your dog warm at night.
With autumn and winter typically comes colder temperatures, especially at nighttime. As we’re wrapping up in knits, blankets and swapping summer duvets for winter ones, it’s important to consider how you can keep your dog warm at night too. You may think that because your dog has fur (some have plenty, some do not), that they stay nice and cosy! But your dog’s fur is not the same as insulation. Whilst some breeds like huskies have fur designed to keep them warm, some dogs’ fur (especially those with shorter, thinner hair) is not enough to beat the chill and keep them cosy.
As the colder months encroach, your pooch can be at risk to hypothermia or frostbite if they become too cold, or the low temperatures can have negative effects on their joint condition or make them tired. That’s why caring for your dog during the cold, particularly during the night is super important. We’ve put together our top tips on how to keep a dog warm at night!
Do dogs get cold at night?
The answer is yes, they do! There’s a couple of different factors affecting how your pet keeps warm (or gets cold).
- Long vs short coat
Long, double-coated breeds retain heat better in comparison to short, single-coated breeds who lose heat much quicker.
- Age (puppy & senior)
Both puppies and seniors struggle to regulate their temperature, making them more likely to become older.
- Size & proximity to the ground
Small dogs lose heat faster, and dogs sleeping near the ground are exposed to cool surfaces.
- Metabolic rate and body condition (underweight dogs)
Underweight dogs (or those with slow metabolisms) generate less heat.
There’s also external factors to consider that can impact your dog’s temperature, such as; the room temperature which can significantly drop overnight; carpeted floors retain heat, hard surfaces hold cold; and open windows or vents can also cool down your pet. Make sure to provide blankets and a thick bed to keep your pooch cosy and snug all night long. For more advice about how to keep your dog warm in winter, check out this article.
)
Signs your dog is cold at night
Are you unsure if your dog is cold at night? Here’s a few signs to look out for when checking in on your slumbering pooch:
Shivering or shaking
Restlessness or whining during sleep
Hunched posture, tucked tail, or curling into a ball
Cold to touch (ears, paws, nose)
Lethargy or unusual panting
Lifting paws off cold surfaces
All or some of these are signs your pooch is struggling to warm up, and is too cold. Does this sound like your dog? Keep reading to find out how you can keep your cutie warm all winter long!
Keeping your dog warm indoors overnight
There’s a few “quick wins” you can implement to keep your dog warm indoors overnight. These are specific to night-time as they involve bedding or pyjamas and also take into account how the temperature usually drops at nighttime.
Tips for night-specific warmth:
Heated, raised dog beds or mats
Blanket “doughnut” nesting areas to allow your cutie to really curl up!
Large blankets or sleeping bags for extra warmth and snuggliness.
Dog pyjamas or indoor jackets are cosy layers to keep them warm.
Heated dog bowls for evening meals/snacks.
Stop drafts under doors and windows (ensuring they’re closed helps too).
Rugs or carpeted sleeping areas to prevent your pet sleeping on cold floors.
The recommended room temperature range for night time is usually 18–24°C, but this can vary. For small, short-coated, puppies, or senior dogs, they’re more sensitive to the cold, so aim for 21–24°C. For large or thick-coated dogs, they tolerate cooler rooms, so 18–21°C is usually comfortable.
Safe use of heating pads (always check with your vet).
Try to avoid hardwood or tile floors directly under where your furry friend sleeps, so if that means you need to move your furry friend’s bedtime spot, look to carpeted areas for the most warmth. Adjustments may need to be made particularly for senior or small-breed dogs, who lose heat quickly. During particularly cold nights or extreme weather conditions, always monitor your pooch through the night. A little check-in that they’re warm enough and comfy, check their paws and it will give you peace of mind whilst ensuring your pet is cared for during the cold months.
Keeping your dog warm outdoors at night
If you keep your furry friend outdoors at nighttime, it’s important to be extra vigilant with their sleeping conditions to ensure they are warm and safe.
Night-focused outdoor tips:
Well-insulated, raised kennels to keep your pet warm and off the cold ground.
Heated bedding or mats for extra warmth.
Dog winter jackets and boots – layers are key.
Dry, leak-proof shelters to prevent your pet being wet and cold.
Protection from drafts and wind.
Limit overnight exposure in extreme cold.
Avoid icy surfaces and toxic chemicals.
Post-walk paw care before bed.
Safe heat sources like heat lamps (vet-approved).
Use straw or insulating material inside kennels.
Always keep an eye on weather forecasts and adjust your furry friend’s sleeping arrangements – in extreme conditions, bring them indoors.
)
Winter safety tips for nighttime
Whilst keeping your pet warm during winter is a top priority, but you must consider their safety at all times too! Here’s a couple of things to be aware of during the cold weather months:
Avoid open flames near sleeping areas
Keep harmful chemicals out of reach
Monitor for frostbite or hypothermia overnight
Adjust nighttime exercise or evening walks for extreme cold
Training dogs to sleep indoors overnight
During extreme temperatures or weather conditions, your dog should sleep indoors. This is a huge routine change for your furry friend though, so even though it’s the right decision, it might not be the easiest transition for them. There’s a few things you can do to train your pooch when sleeping indoors.
Positive reinforcement
Your pet will react more positively to sleeping indoors if you reward them with treats and praise when they come inside. Positive reinforcement is a way of encouraging a behaviour but also your pet’s attitude towards a change.
Gradual introduction
Change can cause stress in your dog, so that’s why if your dog usually sleeps outside you should gradually introduce them to sleeping indoors as a contingency in the event of extreme weather. Whether it’s an occasional night indoors every week, or having evenings or naps indoors, this will acclimatise your dog to sleeping indoors so it won’t be a shock if they’re brought in.
Overcoming resistance and anxiety at night
Your furry friend may feel anxious sleeping somewhere new, which is why bringing plush toys and blankets from their outdoor sleeping space will make them feel more at home and relaxed. Resistance and anxiety is normal, but treats, praise, your company and comforting teddies will help your furry friend calm down and settle in.
Recommended Jollyes products
At Jollyes, we’re home to everything you could need to keep your dog warm at night. From heated beds and mats, dog clothing and blankets, you can keep your pooch snuggly all season long.
Pyjamas and blankets offer extra insulation and layers of warmth for your pet (as well as making bedtimes super cute).
Conclusion: keeping your dog warm at night.
Hopefully now you feel prepared on how to keep your dog warm during the colder months. Not just in the night, but both indoors and outdoors too! The key things to remember are layers, letting your pet sleep in carpeted areas when it’s particularly cold and thick insulated bedding. You can see for yourself how your pooch is doing during winter nights – keep an eye on their behaviour whilst they’re snoozing. It’s important to be vigilant about the health risks for your dog during spells of cold weather, and observation is a reassuring way of ensuring your pooch is sleeping snugly.
Keep your pet safe, warm and healthy during cold winter nights with everything you need from Jollyes. Find your local store today or have a sniff around online.