New York Today: Do Dogs Need Winter Coats?<br />Most dogs do not, according to Dr. Richard Goldstein, chief medical officer at New York City’s Animal Medical Center.<br />“A dog’s circulatory system is actually quite good in regards to dealing with the cold,” Dr. Goldstein told us, noting<br />that the average dog is much better equipped to deal with winter chill than summer heat.<br />• New York is the second “pest-iest” state, according to a new study that analyzes social media chatter about pests across the country.<br />The observance, meant to remind us of the role aviation plays in our social<br />and economic well-being, got us thinking about the role New York has played in aviation history.<br />• Nominations for New York Today’s New Yorkers of the Year contest remain open through Friday.<br />When wintry weather comes to New York City, you can be sure of a few things: Taxis<br />will be hard to hail, subway steps will be slippery, and dogs will be bundled up.<br />Dogs don’t lose much heat through their feet, Dr. Goldstein said,<br />but he recommends shoes or “old-fashioned plastic bags” when city sidewalks are covered in salt, which “can be quite toxic and cause a lot of damage to the foot pads.”<br />Cats, he noted, should not be outside during the winter at all.
