The winter months can be brutal- particularly on animals- and even more so on outdoor animals. Before I go further, I need to say this: if you have outdoor animals, PLEASE bring them in if the weather is below freezing. Fur can only do so much. Set up a warm space for them in your garage, or other area where they will be out of the way but safe. For tips on how to keep your dogs warm and healthy in the cold, read this post by Jason Carr at the Pet Health Network:
-Talk to your vet about cold weather protection against certain health conditions
-Know your dog’s cold tolerance- certain dog breeds are better equipped to deal with the cold. Huskies are going to flourish much better in the cold than a tiny chihuahua.
-Take shorter walks, always check the bottoms of paws for cracks.
-Beware of poison- antifreeze is absolutely deadly- keep it out of your dog’s reach! Beware of road salt and rat poison as well.