Cold Weather fur facts DC While the US east coast is bracing for a winter storm which is expected to drop up to 8 inches of snow this weekend, pet owners are warned to bring their pets inside. Many owners do not do so because they believe these common myths : Myth: Dogs and cats can fend for themselves in winter weather. Nothing could be further from the truth. The sad fact is that during winter many animal shelters are forced to euthanize cats suffering from irreparable frost bite of their ears and noses. [ Chilling not healthy for pets , Journal World] ‘The skin on an animal can freeze in as little as 20 minutes in sub-zero temperatures, according to local veterinarians and animal-care experts.