Can Pit Bulls Live Outside? How to Safely Keep Your Pittie Outside

Pitbulls are not very large, but they’re highly energetic and they require a lot of space to be able to move around freely. However, not all owners are able to provide this kind of space indoors which leads them to wonder whether their Pitbulls can safely live outside.

So, can Pitbulls live outside? Pit bulls cannot live outside as they cannot adapt well to harsh outdoor conditions. They also have short coats that don’t provide enough protection against extreme cold or heat. However, you can leave Pitbulls outside for short periods of time as long as you’re taking proper protective measures.

Keep reading to learn more about why Pit bulls cannot be left outside for too long, the effects of extreme cold and hot temperatures on them, and what you must know and do if you are planning on keeping your pitbull outside.

Can Pitbulls Be Left Outside?

Pitbulls can be left outside, but only for short periods of time. They cannot live outside or sleep outside because they will not be able to adapt to harsh outdoor conditions.

Their bodies are not built to tolerate extreme cold or hot temperatures, so prolonged exposure could lead them to develop serious health issues.

There are also other dangers leaving Pitbulls outside for too long including feeling isolated and depressed, developing destructive behaviors, accidentally hurting themselves, getting into fights with other dogs, trying to escape, or even getting stolen. There are also the risks of predators like wolves and coyotes, and you can check the risks of wolves for Pitbulls here.

Will Pitbulls Get Cold If They’re Left Outside?

Pitbulls will get cold if they’re left outside when the temperature is low mainly because they have short coats which don’t offer enough protection against cold weather and allow their bodies to lose heat faster than they can produce.

Another reason they get cold is that they are brachycephalic which means they have a flat face with a short muzzle and that makes it difficult for them to warm up cold air after inhaling it.

What Temperature Is Considered Too Cold for Pitbulls?

The temperature that’s usually considered too cold for Pitbulls is 4°C (40°F) or below.

Pitbulls will not be able to tolerate this temperature and they will be at risk of developing serious health issues.

How to Tell That Your Pitbull Is Feeling Too Cold?

It’s very important to be able to tell that your Pitbulls is feeling too cold, so here’s a list of the most common signs that you need to be on the lookout for:

Your dog will prefer to stay indoors and refuse to go outside even for a short time

Your dog will stick to the warmest areas of the house
Your dog will have little to no energy and will remain in bed most of the time
Your dog will keep lifting its paws off the ground when it’s outside

Your dog will start loudly barking or whining for no apparent
Your dog will be shivering and trembling more often.

If notice one or more of these signs, you need to take immediate action and warm your Pitbull as much as possible. Ignoring the signs will put your dog at risk of getting seriously sick.

What Are the Effects of Cold Temperature on Pitbulls?

Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can have an extremely negative effect on Pitbulls.

Aside from causing feelings of anxiety and general discomfort, it can lead to the development of some serious health problems if no action was taken to warm the dog up.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the health problems your Pitbull might suffer from due to cold temperatures:

Cold or Flu

Getting sick with a cold or the flu is just as common with dogs as it is with humans, especially during winter. It’s not a fatal condition and can easily be treated with well-rest.

The symptoms will usually start mildly with a few sniffles and sneezes, then they will become more severe as the dog will develop a wheezing or a wet-sounding cough and experience more breathing problems.

Other symptoms include runny nose and excessive nasal discharge, warm ears, watery eyes, frequent shivering and trembling, lack of appetite, and lack of energy.

If you notice that the cold or flu symptoms are not going away becoming more and more severe even though your dog is resting, then it’s recommended to consult a veterinarian for a more effective treatment

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a serious medical condition where the dog’s body loses heat faster than it can produce it. It mainly occurs due to prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures or having the dog’s coat and skin submerged in cold water.

Symptoms of Hypothermia include severe shivering and trembling, breathing problems, cold skin, dilated pupils, blue or pale gums and inner eyelids, stiffened muscles, trouble with movement, slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and a severe lack of energy that leads to a stupor-like state.

If you notice any of these symptoms, then you need to contact a veterinarian and seek immediate medical care as hypothermia can be fatal if it’s not treated on time.

Frostbites

Frostbite is a medical condition where the blood vessels in the areas that were exposed to extreme cold temperatures start to narrow in order to preserve the body’s core temperature. It’s not as serious as hypothermia, but it can still be very dangerous.

It mainly occurs due to prolonged exposure to extreme cold and snow without taking any protective measures.

Symptoms of frostbite include discoloration in the affected areas accompanied by swelling and blisters, shivering and trembling, and a general feeling of pain and discomfort when touched

If you notice any of these symptoms, then you need to try to warm up the areas affected with frostbite as much as possible and contact a veterinarian for the right treatment.

Will Pitbulls Get Hot If They’re Left Outside?

Pitbulls will get hot if they’re left outside when the temperature is high for the same reasons almost they would get cold.

Their short coats will not shield them from the heat and they will also not be able to regulate their body temperature as they don’t have sweat glands.

What Temperature Is Considered Too Hot for Pitbulls?

The temperature that’s usually considered too hot for Pitbulls is 29°C (85°F) or higher.

Pitbulls will not be able to tolerate this temperature and they will be at risk of overheating and developing serious health issues.

How to Tell That Your Pitbull Is Too Hot?

It’s very important to be able to tell that your Pitbulls is feeling too hot, so here’s a list of the most common signs that you need to be on the lookout for:

Your dog will be excessively whining, panting, and drooling
Your dog will stick to areas with shade where the temperature might be cooler

Your dog will be severely dehydrated and have trouble with urinating normally
Your dog will have sunken eyes and a dry nose
Your dog will begin to display a noticeable lack of energy

Your dog will frequently experience dizziness and muscle tremors
Your dog will feel feverish and disoriented most of the time

If notice one or more of these signs, you need to take immediate action and cool your Pitbull as much as possible. Ignoring the signs will put your dog at risk of overheating.

What Are the Effects of Hot Temperature on Pitbulls?

Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures will also have a negative effect on Pitbulls including general discomfort as well as serious health problems like heat strokes if no action was taken to cool the dog down.

Symptoms of heat strokes include heavy breathing or panting, irregular heart rate, fever, dizziness, disorientation, and severe lack of energy.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you need to try to cool your dog down immediately by moving it to a cooler area and making it drink cold water, then you need to take your dog to a vet for further treatment.

I actually have a complete guide on how to help your Pitbull cope with hot weather here that is definitely worth checking out as it has everything you need to know about living with your pit bull in warm weather.

Can Pitbulls Be Left Alone Outside?

Pitbulls can be left alone outside for short periods of time as long as they understand that you are coming back to them.

Since they’re very dependent on their owners, if they were left alone for too long, they will, they will begin to develop separation anxiety which will cause them to display extremely destructive behavior.

How Long Can Pitbulls Be Left Alone?

On average, Pitbulls can be left alone for up 2 hours when they’re puppies, and up to 4 to 6 hours when they’re adults.

However, the exact amount of time will vary from one dog to another depending on how attached the dog is to its owner and how often its needs to be fed or taken to pee.

What Are the Signs of Separation Anxiety in Pitbulls?

Separation anxiety is a condition where dogs become extremely attached and dependent on their owners. It can be a serious concern for many dog owners as it usually results in the dog displaying extremely destructive behavior.

So, here are the common signs of separation anxiety in Pitbulls that you should be on the lookout for:

Destructive behaviors like chewing on household objects or pawing harshly at the floor
Peeing or pooping inside the house even when the dog is potty-trained

Loudly barking and whining at the sight of their owners or for no apparent reason
Running fast around the house and jumping at the sight of their owners
Constantly attempting to escape or trying to follow their owners when they leave

How to Help Your Dog Stay Outside Without Causing Problems?

If you don’t have enough space indoors or you have no option but to leave your Pitbull outside, then you need to take some measures to ensure that your dog will be comfortable and be protected from harsh outdoor conditions.

So, here are some of the measures you need to take to help your dog stay outside without causing any problem:

Provide a Shelter or Dog House for Your Dog to Stay In

You need to provide your dog with a shelter or a dog house to stay in while it’s outside.

The shelter should be big enough to fit your dog comfortably and it should be placed in a shaded area to protect it from extremely hot temperatures.

It should also have sufficient insulation to protect it from extremely cold temperatures.

You can put some bedding and blankets inside in case your dog wants to sleep as well as some of your dog’s favorite toys to keep it entertained

Do Not Leave Your Dog Outside Without Supervision for Extended Periods of Time

It’s highly unadvised to leave your dog unsupervised for extended periods of time while it’s outside as it might accidentally injure itself, get into fights with other dogs, try to run away, or even get stolen.

Make sure to go outside or look through a window to check on your dog from time to time. If you’re not going to be at home, it’s recommended to ask a friend or a trusted neighbor to come around and check on your dog for you.

Make Sure Your Dog Has Enough Food and Water While It’s Outside

Your dog needs to have access to enough food and water while it’s outside, especially if you’re going to leave it alone, otherwise it will get too hungry and thirsty which could lead it to display some destructive behavior or get sick.

The dog’s food and water bowls should be placed in a location that your dog can easily see and comfortably approach.

They also need to be away from direct sunlight or they will get too heated and the dog won’t be able to eat or drink from them.

Dress Your Dog Warmly If the Weather is Cold Outside

If you’re going to leave your dog outside for any amount of time when the weather is cold, make sure to dress warmly in winter gear.

It’s recommended to get your dog to wear a multilayered coat that will provide enough protection against the cold. It’s also recommended to get your dog to wear boots or paw protectors that are made from waterproof material to prevent any moisture from soaking through.

You can check out this guide to winter coats and sweaters for Pit Bulls for how to choose, the best recommendations, and how to measure your dog (to get the right fit) and dress them comfortably in their winter gear.

Set Up a Protective Fence Around Your House and Backyard

Leaving your dog alone outside puts it at risk of running away, getting into a fight, or getting stolen. So, you need to step up a fence around your house and backyard to prevent your dog from leaving and also strangers from coming in on your property.

The fence should be taller than your dog’s height so it wouldn’t jump over. It should also be made from high-quality durable material that can’t be easily bitten or cut through.

Can Pit Bulls Live Outside? How to Safely Keep Your Pittie Outside

Can Pitbulls Be Left Outside?

Will Pitbulls Get Cold If They’re Left Outside?

What Temperature Is Considered Too Cold for Pitbulls?

How to Tell That Your Pitbull Is Feeling Too Cold?