Be sure to protect animals from winter's bite

Last week my two Labs, Ammo and Jesse, were playing a game of tug-of-war in the backyard. Almost as if on cue, both dogs raised their heads and looked skyward. Coming from the north was an impressive V of geese heading south for the winter, announcing their passage with a few muffled "honks." The dogs watched the geese as they slowly flapped out of view. When the dogs turned back to continue their game, Ammo paused one more time to look skyward. It was almost as if something were telling him that the seasons would be changing soon.
It has been 10,000 years since man domesticated dogs, and in that time many of our four-legged family members have lost the ability to protect themselves from seasonal weather changes.
The Humane Society of the United States offers the following advice to ensure that both dogs and cats will be safe this winter.
Keep an eye on the temperature. When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is best to keep your pet indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep your pet's coat well groomed. Matted fur will not properly protect your pet from the cold.
Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze spills. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are poisonous if consumed. Should your pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately.
When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Regularly check your pet's water to make sure it is not frozen. Animals cannot burn calories without a fresh supply of water, and if they cannot burn calories, they will get cold. Also, use a tip-resistant, ceramic or hard-plastic water bowl rather than a stainless steel one, as your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to a cold metal.
Use a damp towel to wipe your pet's feet and underside. Ice-melting chemicals such as salt can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet and can also cause serious injury if ingested. Another way to protect your dog's feet is to spray the pads of their feet with cooking spray, or you can purchase boots for your pet.
Provide a dry, draft-free doghouse if you must keep your dog outside for any period of time. It should be large enough to allow your dog to sit and lay down comfortably but small enough to hold in its body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
To prevent a possibly grisly mishap, slap the hood of your vehicle before starting it. Cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire in their search to keep warm outdoors.
Indoors, make sure your pet sleeps away from drafts. Areas near windows or doors that lead outdoors may allow cold air to seep in and keep your pet from staying adequately warm.
Consider the amount of exercise your dog receives during colder weather. If your dog stays indoors more, it is probably getting less exercise and may need less food. If, however, your pet is outside often, it may need more food in order to burn the calories necessary to produce more body heat.
While some pet owners think it is best to keep their pets outside, this goes against the breeding of our domesticated furry friends. Dogs and cats are social animals that have been bred to be with their human pack. As a matter of fact, most domesticated pets crave human companionship. Pets deserve to live indoors with you and your family. Be sure to prepare for the harsh winter weather before the temperature plummets.