Elderly dogs.. feeling the cold?

[meateatingveggie]

I've never really gone with the idea that dogs needs jumpers/coats, and certainly not in the house

However I now have an old girl who is less mobile that she was, and seems to be more 'cuddly'. I don't know whether it's contact she wants, or warmth.

We don't have the heating on yet, but she has blankets in her bed, shares the sofa (and throws ) with us, and either sleeps in her bed or on ours as she wants.

What I'm asking I think is do dogs feels the cold as they get older? Should I be providing more? Is this normal?

I think dogs feel the cold regardless of their age. We haven’t had the heating on until now and our beagle keeps snuggling with us and has even been getting under the duvet!! Totally out of character, so can only assume she is cold!! Bless her!!

A jumper or PJs wouldn't do any harm. Is she disturbed in the night - that might indicate she's getting chilly? Of course, I'm biased as we have a greyhound with a full wardrobe (who cries in the night for her PJs) 🙄

Yup my old boy shivers. He wears a fleecy jacket when it's cold in the house now

@littlefaith not really disturbed but she does move up the bed and snuggle in to me/lie against me (I love it)

Aww, sounds lovely! I guess that might indicate she's chilly, or maybe she's just appreciating you more in her old age! 😊

My old Staffie is definitely feeling the cold when inactive now but refuses to wear a jumper/coat or even have a blanket over her. I’m hoping that she will soon as she’s now the ages my late Staffie accepted wearing a coat.

I have been wondering about this!! I do put a blanket on my pups but who knows if they think I am bonkers and shake it off the minute I've gone!

My elderly dogs have both now passed but I did purchase them a hot dogs bed. It has an electric heat mat. They totally loved it and I didn't have to worry about having the heating on for them.

I feel exactly the same and have tried a few different things to keep my old girl (12 year old arthritic collie) comfy and warm. They definitely feel the cold more as they get older and vet and physio have both said that keeping them warm really helps keep older joints and muscles moving so they can stay happy and mobile for longer.

I second the recommendation of a heat pad. Costs pennies to run and the look of ease and contentment that comes over my old girl's face when she settles on it is worth every penny.

Also means I don't feel so guilty keeping the the heating off/low eg overnight in midwinter as I know she is relatively toasty when needed.

I have this one. It keeps a good, even gentle heat and has lasted really well so far

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Pet-Remedy-Heated-Pet-Pad/c20964/?quickfind=155068&awc=6960016653509571b1a76a36885675b6bdc452b286840a3&utmmsource=awin&utmmedium=affiliate&utmm_campaign=652475

I've been meaning to post about this for a while.
I have a 15 year old Shih Tzu who last year got very cold while I was at work in the day. I started putting a doggy jumper on her, because I didn't want to have the heating on all day while I wasn't there.
I came home from work one afternoon to find her shivering even with her coat on, so I gave her my heated throw to lie on while I'm at work ( 4 hours)
It made a massive difference to her. I could see on the doggy cam she barely moved.
I had it on the lowest setting and bought a circuit breaker to ensure it was safe.

I think older dogs do feel the cold. I remember my old Labrador starting to shiver one winter's day while I chatted to a friend. For wet weather I bought him a waterproof and snuggly lined coat.