How to protect your pets from extreme cold

(ABC 6 News) – With wind chills being as cold as they are, don’t forget pets are also vulnerable to the elements. Coats help with the cold and the winds & boots that help with protecting their paws from getting irritated by salt used to melt the snow.

If you don’t have boots for your pets, it’s recommended you wipe down your pet to get rid of any possible deicers, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic.

Clarissa Schrooten, a naturalist at Oxbow Park in Byron, MN, has a dog of her own and offers her thoughts. “My dog and I go out every day. We just shorten our days when it’s really really cold," Schrooten said.

Smaller pets and those who have less fur are less resistant to the cold overall. While it may seem like a good idea to feed them more food for extra protection, it is not worth the potential, long-term health conditions.