Is It Necessary to Put Something Warm on Your Dog or Horse?
Archaeologists estimate that canines have been domesticated for anywhere from 15,000 to 30,000 years. The first horses were believed to be trained about 4,000 years ago. For most of their history. Though animals have been equipped with clothing for thousands of years, most of the early gear was either protective or decorative. Do certain domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses, need coats to keep them warm in sub-freezing temperatures? How do undomesticated animals survive winter in cold, northern climates? Doesn’t their warmer body temperature make a coat unnecessary?
The Natural Protections that Dogs and Horses Have against the Cold
The average body temperature for most dogs is around 102.5 F. This, combined with their higher metabolism, makes it easier for them to tolerate colder temperatures than humans. Most cold-weather dogs have adapted to lower temperatures by developing a thicker coat of fur. Some, such as Huskies and St. Bernards, actually have two coats.
Horses have a slightly lower body temperature, usually between 99.5 and 101.5 F, but horses have other attributes that protect them from the cold:
- Most grow a “winter coat,” which is triggered by the shortened days and decreased sunlight, often starting as early as August
- The fiber that is a regular part of a horse’s diet ferments in the animal’s “hindgut,” generating heat, much like an internal furnace. The heat can be substantial, often allowing a horse to be comfortable in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F. Horses tend to eat more in the winter, so that they can generate more heat.
- Horses generally have a lower surface-to-volume ratio, and have no muscle below the hocks or knees, which reduces the amount of tissue exposed to the cold
Do Dogs Need Coats in Cold Weather? It Depends
Most vets agree that young and healthy dogs, particularly those with medium or thick coats, will be fine in modestly cold temperatures. Older dogs can often struggle to stay warm and hairless dogs or ones with little or no coat can often be at risk in sub-freezing temperatures. Caveat—even though your house may feel cold inside in the winter, it’s usually not a good idea to have a dog wear a coat indoors.
Do Horses Need Blankets in Cold Weather?
As a general rule, horses don’t need blankets in the winter, unless they have been clipped, are underweight or sick, or lack access to shelter in wet or windy conditions. When a horse has a full coat, it’s hair/fur acts to trap air, which provides more insulation than a blanket.
