Why Do Dogs Love Snow?

Dogs who love snow really love it. They sprint, they pounce, they sniff (and sniff and sniff). Other weather doesn’t seem to have the same je ne sais quoi. We don’t usually see dogs so psyched for heat waves, heavy fog, or rain—and many are frightened of thunderstorms. But snow can turn an otherwise ordinary day into something magical for some pets. Why? Below, we go digging for the answer.

What exactly is it about snow that gets some dogs so excited? 

One of the reasons some humans love snow is because it can look otherworldly when our everyday world is suddenly transformed. Do dogs share that feeling? Do we know for a fact that they experience the childlike wonder of waking up to everything changed? If given the opportunity, would they wax poetic about a landscape blanketed in white? Maybe! There’s no way to know (unless those handy conversation buttons get far more advanced). 

There is, however, evidence that dogs tend to like novelty. When it comes to toys, research shows that most dogs prefer new ones. Of course, every dog is different, and not all of them love snow. Some dogs experience it as a thrill, while others are more reluctant to venture out into a brand new world.

According to Brian Collins, DVM, a veterinarian at the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, snow’s appeal isn’t just its own novel look and smell. It’s also that the scents underneath are suddenly more fun for dogs to parse. Their powerful noses are smelling things that interest them underneath a layer of solid moisture.

“It’s a great big puzzle feeder,” Dr. Collins says.

Some dogs are built for the snow

Another reason many dogs love the snow, Dr. Collins says, is “because they’re adapted to it.” 

Humans wouldn’t usually run around in snow with bare feet, but most dogs don’t mind it. A paper published in 2011 explains why. Scientists at Tokyo’s Yamazaki Gakuen University studied why dogs don’t appear to be bothered by the cold on their paws. They found that dogs’ circulatory system keeps their feet at a comfortable temperature, even when they’re walking on cold surfaces. Dogs share this counter-current blood-circulation system with Arctic foxes, and non-canine animals like penguins and dolphins. 

Dr. Collins adds that some dogs are better suited to the snow than others. Huskies, for example—with their insulating double coats—will fare better than Chihuahuas.

While dogs are better equipped to be barefoot in the snow than we are, you should still be mindful of their comfort and safety. City and suburban sidewalks are often treated with salt or other chemical de-icers that can irritate their paws (or, if ingested, even poison them). Always wipe paws once in from the cold, and consider paw protectors like booties or nontoxic balms or waxes recommended by your veterinarian. Frostbite can affect dogs’ extremities even with their natural warming system, so be mindful of how long they are outside. For more on how to protect your pup in the snow, see our winter preparation guide.

How do I know if my dog is enjoying the snow? 

Most of the signs that a dog is enjoying the snow are pretty obvious. They tend to be behaviors that make for good shortform videos: jumping, excited sniffing, and zoomies, for example. The signs that they’re not enjoying the snow are fairly obvious, too. They include shivering, refusing to go out, or going out and then immediately turning back around. But some dogs can be in something of an in-between state, and it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your pup when you venture out into a snowy day with them. 

“We talk about arousal a lot, which is really just a fancy word for nervous system excitement. And our nervous system can be excited when we’re good excited and also bad excited,” says Maddie Messina, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) and founder of Paws for Thought Dog Training in New York City. 

There are signs for both “good” and “bad” forms of excitement. Happy dogs’ faces and tails are generally relaxed, Messina says. Panting with a floppy tongue is a good sign. On the other hand, what Messina calls “spatula tongue” indicates stress. That’s when a dog is panting and their tongue is straight and slightly cupped. You may also see other signs that your dog is happy: Maybe their ears will be back or their tail will have a loose, circular wag. 

According to Kristina Spalding, PhD, CAAB, and a dog behavior instructor at Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, one behavior that could confuse us is when a dog lies down in the snow and refuses to move. 

“This could mean they like it and want to stay there, but it could also indicate that the dog is so distressed and freaked out that they don’t want to move anymore—[so they] ‘shut down,’” she says. Dogs in distress “will be tense, will likely have their tail tucked, their ears back, and their mouth closed,” says Dr. Spalding. “They may lower their head,” she continues. “They often won’t take food, or will take it more slowly and won’t play—even if they usually enjoy play.”

If snow is going to be a big part of a dog’s life—but they’re more reticent than the true snow believers—prepare them for it. If they need it, get them used to proper insulating clothing ahead of the year’s first snow day, slowly but surely (more tips on acclimating dogs to clothing here). And, once snow falls, don’t force it.

Says Messina: “I do find a lot of people… have this perception that their dogs should be loving the snow. Like, ‘Maybe if we just stay out here for a little longer and help them and show them it’s fun.’” But that’s not always the case. If your dog is not obviously loving snow, but you live somewhere where it’s unavoidable, you can still work up to a neutral feeling towards the substance. Messina suggests initiating a few play sessions at a time and then, if the dog is not so keen on it, taking them inside and trying again later. Gradually work up to spending more time outside in the winter wonderland. 

And for dogs who can’t get enough of the stuff? Just make sure they know their limits. Keep an eye out for shivering, raised paws, or a sudden stiffening of the body and refusal to move—all signs it’s time to head inside, dry off, and enjoy the best part of snow days: après-ski.

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