There’s much talk during the summer months about the importance
of protecting your dog from the blazing sun and how to keep it
from suffering the ill effects of heat stroke, dehydration or
worse. However, it is equally important to keep your dog warm
during the freezing winter months. Frostbite, hypothermia and
even death are real dangers to your dog as the snow piles up and
the mercury drops. It is generally assumed by many that, because
of their furry coats, dogs are impervious to the cold and can
take whatever winter dishes out. But not all dogs are tolerant
to the cold. Puppies, smaller dogs and older dogs should not be
left outdoors when the temperature falls below 40 degrees
Fahrenheit. The acceptable temperature range for all dogs
depends greatly on age, health, breed and degree of
acclimatization; consult your veterinarian about your dog’s
specific cold-weather needs. When any dog is exposed to the cold
for too long, frostbite can set in. Frostbite occurs when a
dog’s ears, paws or tail get cold enoug