Thanksgiving has passed and winter is upon us. For our pets that stay indoors, not much changes. But for most dogs and a few cats that venture outdoors, the cold outdoor weather is a drastic change from the summer heat. A few precautions may need to be taken to ensure their health and comfort.

Even though they are covered with fur, dogs (and especially cats) have a much smaller body mass than people and so lose heat faster than a person in a coat. Except for sled dogs lke Huskies and Malamutes, most domestic dogs don't have the thick undercoat like their ancestors did. This means we need to monitor our pets' time outside and shorten it as the temperature drops.

Especially vulnerable are the thin body regions on our pets like ears, tails and toes. Ear problems abound in winter and ice can freeze in cracks in the toe pads leading to major issues. Dogs and cats can experience frost bite just like people, but the signs are much more difficult to detect without close examination.

Care needs to be taken when pets are given baths or ear medication. They need to be given time to dry completely before they go outside. Wet fur or ears can lead to skin problems.