Consider the following tips to keep your pets happy and healthy during the cold days of winter.

Put on a sweater. Even though dogs wear fur coats, they vary in thickness and ability to keep them warm. Short or coarse-haired dogs are more susceptible to the cold, so consider a sweater or coat. If your dog has long hair, but starts shivering when outside, they should be bundled up in a sweater as well.

Provide adequate shelter. If your dog stays outdoors most of the time, they still need a shelter to protect them from drafts and precipitation. To keep the inside dry, elevate the shelter a few inches off the ground. Most of us consider our house to be an adequate shelter, but tiled floors and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so be sure to provide dog beds or blankets in these areas.

Keep the water flowing. Water is a basic need for survival and it doesn’t do the body any good when sitting frozen in the dish. Besides keeping their dish filled with fresh water, there are electric heating devices available that keep the water from freezing.

Feed extra calories. If your dog stays outdoors most of the time, they burn more calories to keep warm. Therefore, extra food needs to be provided for these extra calories – increase the amount you feed by 25-50%.

Protect their paws. Road chemicals, salt and ice particles can irritate a dog’s footpads. After walks, clean (with water or a damp towel) and dry off their feet. Dogs with long hair should have the hair clipped between their toes. This makes the cleaning of the paws and the removal of ice particles or balls from between the toes much easier.

Beware of dangerous chemicals. Pets are attracted to antifreeze, but it is extremely toxic for them. Even ingesting a small amount can prove to be fatal. Consider using animal-friendly antifreeze that contains propylene glycol.

Pet-proof the fireplace. Pets love the warmth of the fireplace, which is seen by them lying in front of it. However, if they get too close, a stray spark may singe their hair or cause burns. To prevent this, ensure that the fireplace has a screen.

Keep them dry. A wet coat makes a cold dog even colder. When your dog gets wet from rain or snow, towel or blow-dry them off. If the blow dryer is not to your dog’s liking, placing towels in the dryer and using them while still warm has a similar effect.