by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

Because cats and dogs are covered in fur, we tend to think they are protected from the cold, but such is not the case. Dogs and cats are as susceptible to frostbite as humans, especially on the former’s ears, tails and feet.
A good rule of thumb to remember is that if it’s too cold for you to be outdoors, it is probably too cold for your pets as well.
My cousin’s husband, Dr. Trent Fisher, is a graduate of Purdue University Veterinary School and is recently retired after many years at his veterinary clinic in Salem, Indiana. Dr. Fisher offers the following tips for pet care during the winter:
.  Make sure dogs and cats are microchipped or have a collar in case they get lost. More dogs are lost in winter storms than any time of the year.
.  Make sure they have shelter to keep them warm and dry. If sheltered outside, bed them with straw and blankets and turn their shelter away from the wind.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.