If the weather gets too cold, keep your pets inside. Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. The age of your pet can depend also on the amount of time spend it the cold they can handle, such as very old or young animals. As the temperatures drop, be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground. Pets with medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes.