Cold-weather safety for pets

When it’s as cold as it is right now, most of us add plenty of layers before we go outside.

But what steps can we take to keep our pets warm in the cold?

For dog owners, there’s no way real way to avoid the cold, so it’s important to take steps to keep your canine companion warm.

Therese Fahner, an associate veterinarian at Northern Veterinary Associates in Ishpeming, says dogs need windproof shelter, a source of water that isn’t frozen over and some extra food.

If you own a dog with shorter fur, you may want to consider putting a jacket on them to help them fight the cold weather.

And if you have cats that like to go outside, one idea is to keep them on a short leash and don’t let them stay out for too long.