MARY JO NAGY | Pets Best advice: Keep pets inside if it's very cold

Here is my annual plea about providing proper care for outside animals. The weather has already gotten cold and our furry friends need appropriate shelter. I view too many animals without straw in their doghouses, dog boxes that are in need of repair, many animals that have no shelter at all and still others without drinkable water.
Just because an animal wears a fur coat does not guarantee that it will stay warm without proper shelter.
If you can't keep your pet indoors, you must provide proper care when the weather gets cold.
During the coldest months, it is important to keep your pet safe, warm and healthy. The following are some compassionate tips for pet guardians:
Safer inside
Do not leave your pet outdoors. All animals are safer kept indoors, except for their daily exercise time. Very young, old and short-haired pets should never be left outdoors. Never leave a pet outside when temperatures fall in the teens or with wind chills that can threaten your pets' life. A pet left outdoors can get frostbite and even freeze to death. In very cold weather, pets that live outdoors need to be brought inside a warm garage or basement.
A pet that is kept outdoors must be protected with a dry, draft-free house. A doghouse should be large enough for the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough for it to maintain body heat.
This means the doghouse needs four sides, not three, to protect an animal. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground to keep it dry.
Always use straw or cedar shavings for warmth. Do not use blankets, they can become wet and do not provide enough heat. The doghouse should be turned away from the wind. Cover the doorway with burlap or heavy plastic. Outdoor cats can use the same type of shelter as well.
Keep it clean
Make sure the area around the shelter is free of trash, junk and feces. Clean up the area frequently. Also, if the ground becomes muddy, throw down some straw to soak up the water.
Increase the amount of food you give your pet during cold weather, because an animal uses a lot of energy to stay warm. Try using food with a high protein content. Water should be changed frequently. Keep the water fresh and unfrozen.
No animal can drink frozen water. Never use metal bowls, only plastic. You do not want your pets' tongue to stick and freeze to the sides of a metal bowl. Also make sure the bowl is secure to prevent spillage. Do not let your animal dehydrate.
Cats and small wild animals are attracted to warm engines in parked cars. They crawl under the hood to keep warm. Always bang on the hood of your car to scare hidden animals before starting your car.
Antifreeze is deadly but has a sweet taste to pets. Store antifreeze out of the reach of children and pets. Use only antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol, such as Sierra. If swallowed in small amounts, these types of antifreeze will not hurt pets. Keep your veterinarian's phone number or the emergency clinic's number handy if an accident should happen. Act quickly, it could mean the difference between life or death of your pet.
Salty paws
Salt and chemicals used on icy roads can irritate your pets' feet and stomach. Wipe your pets' feet with a wet towel after it has been outside to remove any salt. If an upset stomach should occur, call your veterinarian.
Give your dog a walk daily and some quality time. Outdoor dogs need to be played with and loved, too.
The best advice for your pet in the winter is to keep it inside. The happiest pets are those that have human companionship. If your animal is outdoors, please keep it warm and spend some time with it every day beyond basic food and water changes. Animals love exercise, walks and attention. If you are in need of assistance or if you need straw, call Angels for Animals at (330) 549-1111 ext. 323.
XMary Jo Nagy is a volunteer with Angels for Animals.