When walking your dog in the cold winter months, it’s important to keep in mind that dogs are vulnerable to harsh weather conditions just like humans. Dogs have a natural coat of fur that shields them from the elements, but amongst all dogs, only a few breeds like St. Bernards and Huskies were bred to endure the cold. If your dog is not one of the few cold weather breeds, it’s best to cloth them in a fleece dog sweater during the winter. This will add an additional layer to help keep them warm and prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

It’s also a good idea to avoid walking your dogs for too long outdoors, especially if they’re just walking and not running; a dog’s feet can become cold and their vulnerability to frostbite increases.