When we first got our dog from the shelter last fall, we took him to the veterinarian. Among other things, I asked if a lean, short-haired dog like Ozzie would need protection from the weather. Should we get him a coat or some shoes? She said no. Dogs don’t need weather protection.
I like how a veterinarian put it who was interviewed for National Public Radio. She said, “I’ve never seen a dog with a condition that made me think if only this dog had been wearing shoes.”
That’s good enough for me. Even in 10F/-12C degrees, Ozzie will go “barefoot” and “naked.” I just keep him moving and keep the walk short.
The vet didn't say dogs don't feel the cold. Of course they do. She just said dogs don't need clothes. It's okay for a dog to feel cold for the few minutes it takes for it to do its business and get back inside. You just don't keep a dog outside for more than 5 or 10 minutes if it's very cold.
This reminds me of a childhood memory, was probably about 12 years old at the time.
Anyway we were all at the bus stop waiting for the school bus and it was freezing.
Remember two old ladies talking about how cold it was and one said to the other "Wish we were like these kids they don't feel the cold". Gee was she wrong I thought.
So how does the vet know dogs don't feel the cold ?
Today's naughty incident was that I left out a mostly eaten bag of granola before I ran an errand. Ozzie polished it off and destroyed the plastic bag while I was gone. Bad owner, bad!