Winter weather protection and safety for dogs is a top priority for pet owners.

As the temperature falls and the wind chill drops, more dogs are lost and die during the winter than during any other season.

Consider these 6 safety tips  to help you protect your dogs this winter.

Protect your pets against the bitter cold.

Once the temperature drops below freezing, it is best to bring your dogs inside for their survival. As the season changes from falling leaves to cold rain and frigid temperatures, dogs of all breeds are best protected indoors.

When transferring your pets from outside to inside, train them for proper indoor dog behaviors. Many pets are sensitive to the cold, and should go outside only to relieve themselves.

Keep dogs inside, but never in your cars.

Never leave any pets in the car; a car can act as a refrigerator during cold weather and freeze your pet to death. Never use a space heater, heat lamp, or other device not approved for use with animals.

Use baby gates to contain your pets and positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good manners among visiting relatives, guests and pets inside your home.

Use dog blankets as insulation to keep your doggie family members dry and safe from the rain, snow, sleet and hail.

If kept outside, canines should have a solid protective place large enough to stand and turn around in, yet small enough to retain body heat. When sleeping outside, protect your pets by sealing all drafty areas inside the doghouse.

Beware of antifreeze.

One of the biggest chemical threats to animals during the winter is antifreeze. Remove all traces of antifreeze spillage from your home and driveway. Dogs are attracted to this sweet-smelling and sweet-tasting poison.

Small amounts of this potent animal toxin, whether new or drained from your radiator can lead to coma, kidney failure and death in dogs and cats.

Keep your dogs away from materials used to melt snow and ice.

Chemicals used to melt ice or snow can be dangerous to pets. Never allow them to lick anything off the street or driveway. After a quick romp in the snow or a trot down an icy sidewalk dogs paws can become irritated from ice-melting agents.

Check for any signs of pad irritation.

To soothe their irritated pads, pets will lick their paws causing them to ingest toxic chemicals. The result is often stomach irritation and vomiting.

After walking your dog in the winter months, wipe their feet with a wet cloth. Use mild dog-friendly soap to remove any irritants and poisonous chemicals from their paws.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a puppy, remember that they are more susceptible to cold weather than adult dogs.
• Protect your dogs this winter by, adjusting your housetraining lessons to help the young dog cope with the cold.
• Use non-toxic antifreeze and clean all spills immediately and thoroughly.
• If you think your pet has been exposed to car fluids, see your veterinarian immediately, kidney failure can be seen in pets within 24 hours of antifreeze ingestion.