Whenever I notice something new about my dog, I start to panic and jump to the very worst conclusions, leading to extensive late night google searching. If you’re cuddling up to your pup and realize their paws are cold, you might be like me, worried that something horrible is wrong. Cold paws can be a sign of a few different things, ranging in seriousness, but the most important thing to note is this: If cold paws are your dogs only symptom, they are most likely just fine. So take a deep breath, give your dog some pets, and let’s talk about what might be really going on.

As always, we are not medical professionals. Please consult your vet if you are concerned about your dog’s health!

If Cold paws are the only symptom, your dog is probably fine

If your dog has cold paws, but no other symptom, chances are everything is fine. A dog’s paws are far away from their heart, which makes them naturally colder than other part’s of their body. Paws also are not covered in fur which keeps the rest of their body nice and toasty. Just like human feet and hands can get cold sometimes, so can your pup’s!

If your dog’s paws are even colder than usual, think about their recent activity.

Your dog may have just come in from outside

When your dog is walking outside, their paws are exposed to the ground. In the winter, when the ground is cold or covered in snow, your pup’s paws are losing all of their warmth. This is not dangerous as long as you limit exposure. They should warm up the longer they are inside.

If your pup has been exposed to the cold for a long time, coldness could be a sign of frostbite. Check your pup’s tail and nose for signs of frostbite as well as it will often affect multiple parts of your dog’s body. If you think your dog has frostbite, call a veterinarian immediately. Signs of frostbite include:

• pale, grey, or blueish discoloration of the affected area
• Pain when the area is touched
• Swelling
• blisters or sores
• Blackened or dead skin

XSY&G Dog Boots

Our recommendation

To protect your pup’s feet from the cold ground, try out some dog booties! They don’t work for everyone, but if your dog likes them, they are a life saver!

See price on Amazon

Your air conditioning might be too high

Even in warm weather, your pup might be exposed to some cold temperatures. Walking on chilled tile floors can cool down dog’s paws noticeably. This can feel especially concerning because your dog’s paws seem cold when its hot out, but the explanation is really quite simple!

Your dog might have just had surgery

Cold paws after anesthesia is really common and nothing to worry about! Your dog’s feet will warm up as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. If you’re concerned, give your vet a call to check in about the type of anesthesia used and your dog’s size, breed, and health to find out how long this should last.

Cold paws and excessive shedding might mean hypothyroidism

Sometimes, cold paws might be paired with other symptoms that can point to less straightforward explanations. If your dog has been shedding excessively or in a way that is abnormal for them and their paws are abnormally cold, this could be a sign of hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is not producing enough hormones. This can affect hair loss, metabolism, circulation, and energy levels. If you are concerned that your dog might have a thyroid issue, bring them to your vet to get a blood test for a diagnosis. They may have to go on medication to supplement the thyroid hormones.

Cold paws in older or sick dogs could be more serious

Cold paws can also be a sign of a more serious circulation problem. This is more common in older dogs and dogs with underlying health issues.

Heart problems can make it difficult for your pup to pump the blood necessary to their extremities, like their paws. This lack of blood flow can make paws cold.

Blood clots may also be preventing blood from passing into a particular leg.

What to do if my dog has cold paws?

If your dog has cold paws and you suspect they may be dealing with a more serious issue:

1. Take your dog’s temperature. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 101-102 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Feel your dog’s pulse. You can find your dog’s groin pulse on the inside of the joint where their back leg meets their body. Place your hand there and feel for if their pulse is faster or slower than normal. Pro tip: different types of dogs have different normal speeds for their pulse. Get a feel for your dog’s pulse on a normal day to compare.
3. Call your vet. Always call your veterinarian if you suspect your dog might be dealing with health issues. Make sure you let them know your dog’s temperature, their pulse, and if they have any other symptoms.

Hurinan Dog Thermometer

Our recommendation

Getting your pet’s temperature is rarely going to be an easy experience, but this thermometer will help it be as quick and painless as possible!

See price on Amazon

How to warm up my dog’s paws

If your dog’s paws are cold for a more harmless reason and you want to be a good friend and help them feel a little warmer, check out these tips for warming up your pup:

• Create a blanket burrito! Fun and toasty, blanket burritos can be just what the doctor ordered. Simply wrap up your pup in a blanket and cuddle up close to help share the warmth.
• If your pup has been out in the cold, you can warm them up by giving them some warm water to drink. This will help them to warm their core, allowing them to concentrate their energy on bringing the temperature of those toes up!
• When their paw are really cold, try submerging their feet in room temperature water to help thaw them out. Do not use hot water!!!
• Use a little body warmth. Hold their paws in your hands or against your body to warm them up. Parenthood requires sacrifice and sometimes that sacrifice is freezing cold toes on your warm stomach.
• Avoid space heaters. Space heaters can be dangerous around dogs, especially if left unattended. They can short out, create fires, and burn fur if dogs get too close.

For more tips on what to do in cold weather, check out our blog post How Cold Is Too Cold For Your Dog? (And How To Keep Them Warm!)

There are so many fantastic dog collars available. Whether you want something simple that serves its purpose or a glamorous fashion statement that announces your dog’s personality, you have options.

A trend in dog collars on the rise right now is spiked dog collars. And we’re 100% here for it!

Spiked dog collars aren’t just stylish, they also protect your pups from attacks. But more on that later. If you’re interested in finding the right spiked dog collar or even just learning more about these great dog accessories, look no further.

What makes a high-quality spiked collar?

There are thousands of spiked dog collars on the market today. So the question quickly becomes, which of these is actually a quality product?

The first thing we look for in a quality spiked collar is the material of the collar. There are usually two options for spiked collars: Leather or a PU Leather.

Leather is a natural material and has more give. You won’t have to worry about full-grain leather collars irritating your dog’s skin in the way you would with other materials. However, it’s important to keep in mind leather collars need to be maintained rigorously. Leather holds in smells and needs to be treated if it gets wet.

Most spiked collars these days are made with a mix of leather and polyurethane. These collars are sturdier, being stain resistant and able to get wet without treatment. However, you will need to be much more attentive in getting the sizing right for PU leather collars, as they aren’t as soft as real leather. However, for those who don’t want to use animal products, a faux leather makes perfect sense.

Just as important as the quality of the collar material is the quality of the material used in the spikes. You want treated, non-rust material for the spikes. After all, if the collars are going to be that close to your fur baby, they need to be the best of the best!

Jump to a section

Our top picks
Benefits of a spiked collar
How to make sure the spiked collar won’t hurt your dog

Our top picks

We’ve done the research, sorted through reviews, and read what experts have to say about the best spiked dog collars in 2021.

Teemerryca Leather Pet Collar

Best Overall

A classic spiked collar to rule them all.

See price on Amazon

Our absolute favorite spiked pet collar is the one offered by Teemerryca. The faux leather collar is made using a high-quality microfiber leather, one that is both sturdy but not too harsh against your dog’s skin. The spikes are made with a durable, but light metal that doesn’t rust, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion.

We’re especially big fans of how many size options Teemerryca offers for this spiked collar. Because sizing is so important for the keeping your dog safe, having such a wide range of sizes will give you the chance to pick the best option for your specific dog.

The Teemerryca Leather Pet Collar also includes a D-ring, so you’ll have a designated space to put ID and to attach a leash. Another great feature of this collar is it is waterproof. Dog collars will naturally start to get a little funky after being worn awhile. With the Teemerryca collar, you can wash and dry it without worry, getting it clean and fresh in a snap.

The cherry on top of the Teemerryca collar is it comes with an added bonus. With every purchase of a collar, you get a squeak ball dog toy! And we always love a freebie.

Beirui Sharp Spiked Dog Collar

Best for second choice

You’ll still love this amazing spiked dog collar.

See price on Amazon

Beirui has created a spiked dog collar that is both visually stunning and effective. The wear-resistant collar has recently been upgraded with reinforced adjustable holes and frosted PU leather. What we especially appreciate about this particular collar is its sharpened spikes. The spikes won’t hurt your dog, but will give any attacking animals a shock!

The Beirui spiked collar comes in five different colors and six different sizes. As we’ve already mentioned, having multiple sizes is a big deal for us, as it will allow you to get the fit perfectly for your dog.

You’ll also love the durability of the Beirui Sharp Spiked Collar, especially if your dog is extra active. The faux leather can be washed and dried out, ridding it of any smells and keeping it from irritating your dog’s neck. The ID and D-ring are both made for heavy-duty wear and tear, so you don’t have to worry about losing your pet dog.

If the brown version of this collar is too tame for you, make sure to check out some of their wilder color options!

Enjoyed Spiked Dog Collar

Best on a budget

Save money, but still keep your dog safe!

See price on Amazon

Even though the Enjoyed Spiked collar is technically our budget choice, we think it’s a fantastic option in general. It will help you save money, but also serves as a great starting collar for puppies or dogs not used to wearing spikes. The lightness of the crocodile textured faux leather make it an option for smaller dogs, too.

The Enjoyed Spiked collar comes in four different sizes and two different colors. The spikes are polished silver, so you don’t have to worry about them wearing out. And of course, because it’s made with faux leather, it’s much more durable.

AoLove Basic Classic Leather Collar

Best for small dogs

An itty bitty collar for an itty bitty dog.

See price on Amazon

If you have a smaller dog, but still want to try out a spiked collar, look no further than the AoLove Classic Leather collar. Not only is this little collar perfect for puppies or smaller dogs, it’s made from genuine leather, so it’s gentler on the skin.

The collar comes with all the features we look for in a spiked dog collar. The spikes won’t hurt your dog, it has multiple sizes and colors, and comes with a separate D-ring so you can use a leash with the collar. We especially love that despite being for smaller animals, this collar is made super tough.

Pet Artist 2.0 Studded Dog Collar

Best for large dogs

Big dogs need big collars that make big statements

See price on Amazon

Our choice for a large dog collar is the Pet Artist 2.0. Unlike other collars on the list, this collar is really designed for Medium to Extra Large dogs. As a result, it has heavier spikes that make more of an impression. While the size of this collar makes it heavier, it also makes it extremely durable.

Every feature of the Pet Artist 2.0 was designed with big dogs in mind. The hardware is chromed, making it water resistant and easy to clean. And if your large dog ever gets in a large fight, the ridiculously large spikes of this collar will keep your pups neck safe.

Beirui Spiked Dog Collar with Cool Skull

Best “style” option

It’s not just a collar, it’s a statement

See price on Amazon

If you have a smaller dog, but still want to try out a spiked collar, look no further than the AoLove Classic Leather collar. Not only is this little collar perfect for puppies or smaller dogs, it’s made from genuine leather, so it’s gentler on the skin.

The collar comes with all the features we look for in a spiked dog collar. The spikes won’t hurt your dog, it has multiple sizes and colors, and comes with a separate D-ring so you can use a leash with the collar. We especially love that despite being for smaller animals, this collar is made super tough.

Benefits of a spiked collar

It’s easy to think spiked collars are all about making a fashion statement, but they actually serve a very specific purpose. Spiked dog collars were originally designed to protect the throat of dogs from predators.

While the spikes of a well-designed dog collar won’t hurt the wearer, if a wild animal were ever to attack your dog, they’d get a nasty surprise. And even though most of us don’t live around wild animals, those spikes can also protect your dog from aggressive dogs.

Because spikes add weight to a collar, these types of collars tend to be more heavy-duty. As a result, they last against wear and tear much better than other options on the market. If you’re tired of replacing collars every few months, try out a spiked collar!

And another benefit of spiked collars is they can prevent escape artists from getting out of their collars. If you have a dog that likes to escape a collar, a spiked collar can prevent many of the moves it takes to get free. To make sure your dog doesn’t get injured trying to escape a spiked collar, let them see, smell, and try to chew the new collar before putting it on.

How to make sure the spiked collar won’t hurt your dog

The most important part of choosing a spiked collar, or any collar, is to make sure it’s safe and won’t hurt your dog.

Sizing

Checking the safety of your spiked collar starts the same way purchasing any collar starts: Sizing. All collars should pass the two finger test, allowing you to slide two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.

In order to be sure the collar fits correctly, measure your dog’s neck, with your two fingers in place, and purchase a collar within that range. It’s important for collars to offer multiple sizes so you can get a collar in the range that best fits your dog.

Spike angles

With spiked dog collars, you also need to take the angle of the spikes into consideration. You don’t want spikes digging into your pup’s neck. The best spiked collars have spikes angled outwards, with no contact being made with your dog’s skin.

To be completely sure your dog won’t be injured when wearing a spiked collar, keep a close eye on her the first several times the collar is worn. Check that as your dog runs and plays, the spikes don’t touch the skin.

Weight

Different weighted collars will work for different sized dogs. You don’t want your smaller dog wearing a collar that’s way too heavy or for your big puppers to be running around with an itty bitty collar.

When purchasing your spiked dog collar, check the weights and make sure it’s an appropriate weight for your dog’s neck. Too heavy and your poor dog will really strain his neck and shoulders!

We all love our dogs but let’s face it, dog breath is a real problem. Not only is it just unpleasant, but it can cause real issues when your dog’s teeth aren’t getting sufficiently clean. Brushing is one option, but most dogs have trouble putting up with us sticking something in their mouth and few will stand for it long enough to get any substantial cleaning done.

You’re not going to get your dog’s teeth sparkly white, but if your dog has started having teeth and breath issues it’s time to do something. The best alternatives to brushing are cost-effective and easy enough that they can be done every day. Lucky for us there’s a ton of solutions out there for helping clean up your dog’s breath that don’t rely on brushing and we’ve gone through and picked the 3 easiest ways to get started.

1. Find them toys they love to chew

You might have noticed dogs tend to chew, a lot. Chewing is actually the main way your dog keeps their teeth clean! Chewing exercises your dog’s jaw and chewing and firm objects help scrape their teeth clean of excess food and plaque.

While some dogs are prolific chewers, others are a bit more hesitant and finding the right toy that they’ll love can be tricky. You want something firm, but not too hard that it could damage their teeth.

While you may be tempted to go for an indestructible dog toy, you need to pick a toy your dog loves to play with. Harder plastic or natural toys can be especially great at encouraging chewing as they have the right level of firmness to clean your dog’s teeth.

The right way to get your dog interested in a toy is to act as if you’re interested in that toy. To help encourage your dog to chew more, try playing fetch or tug-o-war with whatever toy you want them to gnaw on. Regular play is also just great for your dog’s overhaul health, and who thinks they (and their dogs) don’t need a little more exercise?

2. Use plaque-softening enzymes

Plaque-softening enzymes are a supplment that you sprinkle over your dog’s food. While they won’t necessarily clean your dog’s teeth on their own, they can soften built-on plaque enough that it will be rubbed off naturally through chewing and eating.

These supplements work by interacting with your dog’s saliva to prevent new plaque from forming and softening existing tartar before it can form into hard-to-remove deposits. This makes all the chewing your dog does much more effective at keeping their teeth clean!

What’s great about these enzymes is that they’ll also make it easier for your vet or doggie dentist to clean your dog’s teeth when they do need to have a check-up and can stave off the need for heavier cleanings requiring anesthesia.

Our preferred brand is Plaque Off, which is derived mostly from kelp and is safe for all dogs as it doesn’t mess with their diet otherwise. You just mix a scoop in your dog’s food and in 2-3 weeks your dog will have whiter teeth, fresher breath, and most of all better tooth and gum health.

3. Try dental chew treats

Some dental chews get a bad rap for being made of hard-to-digest components or chemicals. The reality is though is that all dental chews are made from food products and are no more harmful than any other treat you give your dog.

The secret to how dental chews work is in the shape of the treat. Dental treats encourage maximum mechanical abrasion, which basically means they get as much as your dog’s tooth as possible to scrape against the treat to remove plaque and tartar while being soft enough to not cause any damage.

Dental chew toys also use a special texture to help scrub your dog’s teeth and mouth. Most treats have a firm but ‘spongy’ texture that allows your dog to sink their teeth in when biting down, further removing any built-up plaque. While they may have a ‘fresher’ smell than other treats, don’t include any chemical additives.

Most dental treats are flavored to encourage chewing and we highly recommend them if your dog doesn’t seem to enjoy regular chew toys. Just watch how often you use them, as they still contain calories just like any other treat.

How do you know if your dog’s teeth are clean?

Your dog’s teeth don’t need nearly as much maintanence as yours thanks to their simpler diets. Still, many dogs can face genetic teeth issues or tooth decay as they age so it’s important to get your dog regular checkups at the vet where they’ll inspect their teeth.

Still, smell can be a pretty good indicator of if everything is okay or not. Generally your dog’s breath won’t be the best but you shouldn’t be able to smell it across the room. It’s also pretty easy to just look for yourself, no need to dig around in your dog’s mouth, just having them open wide and taking a peek at their gums or teeth will let you know if there are any major problems to worry about or not.

Teeth and gums should all be a consistent color, and you shouldn’t see any unusually dark or light spots or spots in your dog’s mouth where they seem sensitive. To check sensitivity, just gently run your finger along the outside your dog’s gumline, if they jump away from you, you’ll know they have a toothache.

Why does your dog’s breath smell?

Dog breath has all kinds of sources: food smells, overall diet, and lack of cleaning are all top culprits. The biggest reason though is the bacteria that live in your dog’s mouth. Don’t get too alarmed, even humans rely on harmless bacteria to help with digestive functions and to prevent worse bacteria from moving in instead. Sometimes less-desirable bacteria will gain a foothold and can lead to the dreaded halitosis known as dog breath.

Let’s be fair here, it’s not your dog’s fault. It’s just something that’s bound to happen sooner or later. Still, once you notice a problem you’ll have to deal with it and most solutions are designed to replicate the teethbrushing we humans use, but in a way that works for your dog’s mouth and habits.

I’ve tried everything and my dog’s teeth still aren’t clean! What do I do?

For one reason or another, some dogs just have delicate teeth that require extra care and unfortunately, there are really only two options: brushing or professional cleaning. Both of which any pet owner wants to avoid.

If you haven’t had luck with brushing before, or brushing alone didn’t help clean your dog’s teeth, we highly recommend combining brushing with the methods above. Many pet owners find it takes much less time and work to brush their dog’s teeth after using a plaque-softening enzyme, and that shorter time could make it easy enough on your dog to get some meaningful cleaning done.

If you just can’t seem to get your dog’s teeth clean enough your last option is to schedule regular dental cleanings. While dental cleanings are expensive, they’re much cheaper than the alternative of your dog needing oral surgery to correct or remove damaged teeth.