How long should I let my dog be outside in Kansas City’s extremely cold weather?
Dogs and cats get cold, too, even with their layers of fur to warm them. And with Kansas City’s temperature in the single digits until Friday, pet owners need to know how to keep them safe in the extreme weather.
In the Kansas City area, wind chills are expected to drop as low as minus 15 degrees before temperatures rise Thursday, Feb. 20, according to the National Weather Service.
This means that humans are at risk of hypothermia. But what does this mean for their furry family members in the Kansas City area?
Veterinarian Wayne Hunthausen, owner of Westwood Animal Hospital, said he “rarely” treats pets for cold weather-related conditions and hasn’t seen any so far in 2025. The Kansas veterinarian shared tips for keeping animals safe this winter.
How long can I let my dog outside?
In this cold weather, Hunthausen said he only lets his dogs outside for a few minutes, long enough to pee or poop.
“Even if it’s 10 or 15 below, most dogs can get out and get back in,” he said.
Hunthausen recommended limiting dogs’ time outside when the temperature drops below freezing, and only letting them outside as necessary when it’s colder than 15 or 20 degrees.
Small breeds, senior dogs and those with health conditions are the most vulnerable to the cold. Dressing them in booties and a dog jacket can keep them more comfortable — there are no-sew dog sweater tutorials online that use old clothing.
How can I protect my dog on walks?
If you do need to take your dog on quick walks, watch their paws. Ice and salt can accumulate between dogs’ toes, especially for animals with fluffy feet.
After going outside, clean between dogs’ toes to avoid irritating their paws. Booties can also help protect their paws.
What are the signs of hypothermia in dogs?
If you forget to let your dog back in the door or your walk goes on longer than you anticipated, your pet could be at risk of developing hypothermia, or low body temperature.
Here are some symptoms of hypothermia in dogs, from Hunthausen and American Kennel Club:
Shivering and curling up
Fast breathing or heart rate that then becomes slow
Sluggishness
Confusion and disorientation
Dilated pupils
Pale gums
Loss of consciousness
If your dog shows these symptoms, bring them inside and then wrap them with blankets. You can put bottles filled with hot water in the dog’s armpit and groin areas, near major blood vessels. Then call your veterinarian’s office for guidance on how to proceed.
Avoid putting a heating pad on your dog since it can burn their skin.
What about cats?
Hunthausen said it is risky to let cats outdoors in the cold weather.
While bigger and noisier dogs can be easy to find outside, “cats get off into the bushes, and you might not be able to find the cat and get it in before the sun goes down at night when it gets really cold.”
Cats are good at finding a sheltered spot to hide, and your warm car engine is an appealing location. Before starting your car, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends checking under the vehicle, banging on the hood and honking the horn to scare off any outdoor cats sheltered in your car.
Have more questions about weather in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
