Fur or no fur, it’s not much warmer for dogs than it is for humans in winter time; with the exception of a few breeds, most dogs find it just as difficult to stay warm in the great outdoors as humans do.

Dr. Maggie Wilson from the Knoxville Veterinary Clinic says you need to be vigilant about your dogs when it’s cold out. She tells KNIA/KRLS News you should keep their time outside the house to a minimum.

“Cold weather, wind chill advisories out for humans — we shouldn’t have our pets out for very long either, just out for the basic necessities, going potty and then coming back in. We don’t want them to stay out for extended periods of time, anytime there’s a dangerous wind chill,” Dr. Wilson says.

You should also take care to wipe their paws when they come inside; salt or ice-melting compounds can be harmful, and a dog could lick them directly off their feet or taste them later if tracked into the house.

And Dr. Wilson says putting booties on their paws may seem like a good idea, but most dogs don’t like wearing them and tend to walk awkwardly when they’re on.

For more about keeping your pets safe during the winter and the holiday season, tune in to today’s edition of Let’s Talk Knoxville.