Brrrr…it’s cold outside! If it's too cold for you to go outside, it's too cold for your pet! Winter's chill affects animals, just like it affects people. Every year, the Ontario SPCA investigates thousands of complaints about animals left unprotected from winter weather. Exposure to harsh conditions can cause serious illness or death to animals, particularly during periods of freezing rain and rapid temperature fluctuations.

Canada's laws require that animals receive adequate shelter and care. Wilful failure to provide adequate shelter could lead to prosecution and a fine, jail sentence or prohibition from having custody of animals. Keep pets warm When the temperature drops below freezing, pets should not be left outside for extended periods.

The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1. Cats, short-coated dogs and puppies are particularly vulnerable in cold temperatures. Keep cats indoors and protect your dogs from frostbite or hypothermia by taking them outside for short periods during cold weather. Consider slipping your short-coated dog or puppy into a comfortable dog sweater or coat as an extra layer of warmth. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
    

2. Since puppies are generally less tolerant of cold weather than adult dogs, to housetrain your puppy during frigid temperatures put a jacket or sweater on him when you take him outside on leash with you to the designated "toilet" area. Give him a treat as soon as he is done, and then bring him back inside. If he hasn't shown any signs of needing to "go" after a couple of minutes, bring him inside and supervise to prevent accidents, or crate him (dogs are less likely to soil where they eat or sleep), and then try again a little later.
    

3. Avoid car hazards: During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
    

4. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk.
    

5. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags. Ensure your pet always has a warm place to sleep away from drafts and off the floor. A thick cozy dog or cat bed with a blanket or pillow is great.
    

6. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. Also, remove ice balls by placing your pet's feet in warm (not hot) water before drying them off with a towel. Consider using "booties" to protect your pet's paws.
    

7. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.
    

8. Protect outdoor dogs. Outdoor dogs must be provided adequate shelter and a constant supply of fresh water. While the Ontario SPCA strongly recommends bringing your dog indoors, dogs that live outside require as a minimum a dry, draft-free doghouse soundly built of weatherproof materials with the door facing away from prevailing winds. It should be elevated and insulated, with a door flap and bedding of straw or wood shavings. Check your pet's water frequently to ensure it's not frozen and use a tip-resistant plastic or ceramic bowl, rather than metal, to prevent your dog's tongue sticking to the cold metal surface. There are also heated and/or insulated bowls available that prevent water from freezing. To learn more read Ideal Doghouse for Ontario's Outdoor Dogs.
    

9. Another danger for pets this time of year is ethylene glycol, which is found in antifreeze and brake fluids and is deadly to all animals. It tastes sweet, so animals may ingest it; a very small amount can be fatal. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Emergency veterinary care is essential. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and dispose of the rags as hazardous waste. Be alert for antifreeze spills when out on walks and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.