How to Keep a Dog Warm at Night Indoors

To keep a dog warm at night indoors, move the bed off a cold floor and away from drafts, doors, and windows, and give the dog something to burrow into: a plush bed with raised sides, a covered nest, or a fleece blanket draped over the bed. Add clothing only for dogs that run cold, such as small, thin-coated, senior, or recently clipped dogs, and choose soft pajamas or a light fleece sweater that fits without rubbing. Keep the room above about 65 degrees, skip heating pads and space heaters unless your vet approves one, and watch for shivering, tight curling, or restlessness as signs the dog is still cold.

We're a cat household. Ai and Dudu solve cold nights by climbing on top of us, which is not a strategy that works for a 40-pound dog. What follows comes from helping friends set up sleeping spots for their dogs, including one short-haired senior who spent last winter pacing at 2 a.m. until we figured out that the problem was a drafty tile floor, not the bed itself.

How can you tell a dog is cold at night?

Dogs don't complain the way we do, so read the body language. A dog who is cold at night will usually show some of these:

• Shivering or trembling, especially right after settling down.
• Curling into a tight ball with the nose tucked under the tail, instead of sprawling out.
• Restlessness: getting up, circling, moving to a new spot, then doing it again.
• Seeking heat: pressing against you, the couch, a vent, or a sunny patch of floor in the morning.
• Cold ears and paws when you check them.

Small dogs, dogs with short or thin coats, puppies, seniors, and recently clipped dogs feel the cold first. If shivering doesn't stop once the dog is warm, or comes with lethargy or a change in appetite, call your vet.

Where should a dog sleep to stay warm?

Location does more than any product. Before buying anything, move the bed.

1. Off the floor, or insulated from it. Tile, concrete, and hardwood pull heat out of a dog all night. A thick bed, a folded blanket underneath, or a raised platform breaks that contact.
2. Away from exterior doors and windows. Even a closed door leaks cold air along the bottom.
3. Out of the path of vents and fans. Moving air feels colder than still air.
4. In a corner or against a wall. Dogs settle better with something solid at their back, and corners collect less draft.
5. In a room you actually heat. A garage or enclosed porch can drop well below the rest of the house overnight.

If the dog sleeps in a crate, drape a blanket over three sides to trap warmth, leaving the front open for airflow.

What kind of bed keeps a dog warmest?

A flat mat is the coldest option, because heat escapes upward and out the sides. For a dog who runs cold, look for a bed that wraps around them.

• Raised sides or a bolster hold body heat close and give the dog something to lean against.
• A covered or dome shape traps warm air like a den. Small and medium dogs often love these; the rope dome pet nest gives a small dog an enclosed pocket with a soft lining, and the woven shell keeps its shape when the dog pushes into the back.
• A tunnel or burrow style works for dogs who dig under blankets. The cozy plush pet tunnel nest lets a small dog crawl in and turn around, with plush on every side instead of just underneath.
• A blanket on top, not just underneath. Many dogs will pull a fleece blanket over themselves if you leave it draped over the edge of the bed.
• Enough size to curl up, not so much that they can't warm the space. An oversized bed for a small dog is like sleeping in a big cold room.

Should a dog wear clothes to bed?

Most dogs don't need it. Clothing at night makes sense for the dogs listed earlier: small, thin-coated, elderly, recovering from a clip, or living in a house that gets genuinely cold overnight. If you're not sure whether your dog falls into that group, the checks in does my dog need a winter coat apply just as well indoors.

If you do dress a dog for sleep, the rules are different from daytime wear:

• Soft and stretchy, no hardware. Buttons, zippers, and buckles dig in when a dog lies on them. The contrast soft pet pajamas are the kind of thing that works: thin, stretchy, full coverage, nothing stiff.
• A light layer, not a heavy one. A thin fleece like the fleece pet sweater with button decor adds warmth without bulk; check that the decorative buttons sit on the back, not the belly, and that the dog can lie flat comfortably.
• Loose enough to move, snug enough not to twist around during the night.
• Nothing over the head or face, and nothing with dangling strings.
• Take it off in the morning and check the skin under the armpits and along the belly for rubbing.

A dog who has never worn clothes shouldn't start on a cold night. Introduce the garment during the day with treats first, and move it to bedtime once they ignore it.

What should you avoid?

• Heating pads made for people. They get too hot, dogs can't always move off them, and chewed cords are a fire and burn risk. If your vet recommends supplemental heat for a senior or sick dog, use a pet-specific product and follow their guidance.
• Space heaters near the bed. Tip-over risk, dry air, and a dog who parks two inches from the grille.
• Hot water bottles without a cover, or any a dog might puncture.
• Overheating. A dog under a heavy blanket in a sweater in a heated room can get too hot. Panting, seeking the floor, or kicking off the blanket means dial it back.

FAQ

What temperature is too cold for a dog indoors at night?

For most healthy adult dogs, a room in the mid 60s Fahrenheit is comfortable. Small, thin-coated, elderly, and sick dogs may start feeling cold below about 65 degrees, and puppies need it a bit warmer. The dog's behavior matters more than the thermostat: shivering or restlessness means it's too cold for that dog.

Is it OK to cover a dog with a blanket at night?

Yes, as long as the dog can get out from under it on their own. Drape a light blanket loosely over the bed rather than tucking it in. Many dogs will burrow under or push it off as they need. Avoid heavy weighted blankets and anything a dog could get tangled in.

Should a dog sleep in a crate or a bed in winter?

Either works if it's warm and draft-free. A crate with a bed inside and a blanket over three sides holds heat well and feels den-like to many dogs. An open bed in a warm corner is just as good for a dog who prefers space. Follow what your dog already likes.

Quick recap

To keep a dog warm at night indoors, move the bed off cold floors and away from doors, windows, and vents, then give the dog a bed with raised sides or a covered shape to burrow into, with a light blanket draped over the top. Add soft, hardware-free pajamas or a thin fleece only for dogs that truly run cold, skip human heating pads and space heaters, and see your vet if shivering doesn't stop. Browse covered nests, plush beds, and tunnels in our home and bedding collection. Orders over $75 ship free.