EDWARDSBURG, MICH. — Families are focused on staying warm in these freezing temperatures, but are your pets safe in this weather?

Dr. David Visser of Edwardsburg shared some advice about how to keep your furry friends safe.

For example, when your pets are outside; watch out for ponds, lakes, and even large puddles as pets can fall through the ice.

After being coming in from outside, wipe your dog down because they can pick up pieces of ice, rock salt, or chemicals on the ground.

Consider a sweater for pets that have shorter hair or are older and more frail.

You should also let their coat grow. Don’t shave or clip your pet’s fur this time of year as it protects them from the cold.

One of the most important things with these temperatures is to keep your pets indoors.

Dr. Visser says no matter the size or breed of your dog, if you take your pet outside and you’re getting too cold, your pet is probably too cold as well. So, keep them inside.

“It may be an extra step for people to bring them indoors, but it has to be the right thing to do,” said Dr. Visser. “Pets that are left outside and exposed, even if they are typically and traditionally used to being outdoors, they’re not used to these temperatures.”

“They need to come indoors, somehow,” he added. “Whether that’s into a garage, whether that’s into your home, you need to make an exception on temperatures like this.”

Dr. Visser also reminds you to make sure your pets are always wearing some form of identification such as a dog tag or a microchip.

If they get lost, they can’t be out wandering for too long in these temperatures.

If you’re concerned for a neighbor’s pet you see exposed for too long in these freezing temperatures, you can call your local animal control agency.

Below are more helpful tips from Dr. Visser to keep your pets safe this winter.

Safer antifreeze alternatives:

• Prestone® Low-Tox™
• Sierra®
• Amsoil®

Skin and hair tips for cold weather:

• Sweater for short-haired dogs
• Keep the hair longer style in winter
• Clean paws of ice and snow melt products
• Trim hair on underside of feet

Tips for outdoor dogs:

• Adequate shelter
• Increase winter feeding
• Water dish warmers
• Garage access, but check for poisons

More pet advice for winter:

• Be aware of tendency for pets to get lost
• Honk or beat on the hood of your car before turning on engine in case of stray cats
• Keep cats indoors
• Indoor pets have lower caloric needs