Caroline Carlson | Daily Press Lisa Minto of Escanaba walks her young St. Bernard, Molly. Pet owners should take extra precautions to protect their pets during cold weather.

ESCANABA — Winter safety precautions are important for pet safety.

Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility, especially in the winter months when the weather poses additional hazards. Keeping a few tips in mind will help you keep your pets warm, hydrated and safe when temperatures drop.

Pets that live or spend any significant time outside are at risk of losing too much body heat to survive. Dogs or cats must have shelter that enables them to get out of the wind, with an opening that is not facing into the wind. Insulation is also crucial. Hay can be used for this purpose, as both dogs and cats can burrow into it.

Foot care is particularly important during the cold winter months. Dog owners are advised to check for ice pellets on their pets’ paws and clean them off. Dr. Sue Laskaska of Bay Veterinary Clinic does not recommend applying petroleum jelly to your pet’s feet, but said that booties can be used on dogs, though not all dogs tolerate them. Shaving or clipping the hair between the toes is also recommended if there is a lot of it.

Laskaska does not recommend shaving a pet’s coat during the winter, however. Sweaters and jackets can be helpful in keeping dogs warm, but it depends says Mary Blasier, Animal Behavior College dog trainer and volunteer at the Delta Animal Shelter. “I think that often times animals are over dressed or under dressed. Long-haired dogs like huskies and sledding breeds don’t need that,” she said, referring to clothing. On the other hand, “whippets, greyhounds, and short-haired chihuahuas are not made for this climate and need to have boots on their feet if possible,” Blasier advised.

When asked about things pet owners need to be especially aware of, hydration was high on the list. “A big thing is access to a water source that won’t freeze,”said Laskaska, adding that keeping drinking water out of the wind helps. “Eating snow doesn’t give them enough water and makes them colder,” Blasier said in agreement. She recommends a water bowl heater for a pet who will be spending any amount of time outside, as well as checking on the water source routinely. Ultimately, pets are “better off in the garage or something as they would need less accommodations to keep them warm,” she said.

Laskaska also advises dog owners to make sure they increase food rations for outdoor dogs by 25% in the cold weather, because they are burning calories to stay warm. She said this is not as much of an issue with cats, so long as they have a barn with hay in which to shelter.

Laskaska also reminds dog owners to be mindful of where they keep antifreeze, as pets like the sweet taste and it is very toxic. “They will lap it up, and a tablespoon size amount will kill a cocker spaniel,” she warns, noting it’s not a good idea to lubricate the track of a sliding door with even a little antifreeze.

Blasier said that as a volunteer at the shelter she knows how easily the tips of cats ears get frostbitten and die in the cold, leaving their ears ragged in appearance. “That’s why they climb up in the engine blocks of cars,” Blasier said. She emphasized the importance of rapping on the hood of your car before starting it up in winter to prevent killing a cat that may be sheltering in your engine block.

Both Laskaska and Blasier agreed that the best way to tell if it’s too cold outside for your animals is to be vigilant. “If you’re cold outside, they are going to be, too,” Blasier said. She pointed out that whether a dog is big and muscular is not as important as the amount of fur it has to help it stay warm, and advises to watch for shivering and ice balls on the animal’s feet. “Just know your dog and watch them for signs. You would have a lot of down on and boots and scarves, and they don’t have anything close to that. 30° below, they should just go outside to go potty and that’s it,” Blasier said.