While you are likely busy trying to keep yourself warm this week in Minnesota, you may want to double-check that your four-legged friends are warm and safe as well.
According to the Animal Humane Society, cats should be kept indoors at all times and time outside for dogs should be limited when temperatures hit the single digits.
"You really don't want to leave your dog in a cold car, just like you wouldn't want to leave your child in a cold car," said the Animal Humane Society's Brittany Baumann. "I was running errands with my dog, but we were going to the pet store. He was in the car nice and warm with me, then he went into the store and walked around with me."
The AHS says a vet visit is only needed if you notice any redness, swelling, or darkening of the skin on your pets. The most vulnerable extremities include the ears, tail tip, paw pads, or nose.
"If you suspect your dog has frostbite, we recommend you contact your veterinarian right away," Buamann said. "Really it starts with the things you want to look for, their ears and paws, are the first things that are going to get frostbite."
Other signs that it may be time to bring in your dog when temperatures hit single digits include braking, lifting their paws, shivering, or having hunched paws with a tucked tail.
More on how to keep your pets safe in the cold can be found here.