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Brrr! It’s been freezing lately — OK, Midwesterners and East Coasters, go ahead and laugh — which means heavy jackets, boots and warm blankets for everyone in the family. But what about our pets? Most people, especially in temperate California, assume our pets don’t need anything extra in the wintertime, that their fur and instincts are enough to protect them. But that’s often not the case.

For dogs, it’s important to consider their fur thickness, size and breed mix. My previous dog, a 65-pound McNab mix, had fairly thick fur and seemed impervious to the cold and the rain. But my current dog, Bowie, a 17-pound Italian greyhound mix with short fur shivers with the slightest breeze.

I quickly learned that if Bowie was going to join me on winter hikes, he’d need some protection from the cold, so he now sports either a sweater, fleece or raincoat. By the way, some of these can be quite sporty. Many have reflective material and are quick-drying. Bowie even has a tweed jacket when he’s feeling professorial.

Like taking your pup with you up to Tahoe for a bit of fun in the snow? Watch those paws.

“Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding,” the American Veterinary Medical Association writes on its website. “During a walk, a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between its toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes.”

Just as human skin tends to get dry and itchy in cold weather, a dog’s skin is also prone to winter itchiness. Keep winter baths to a minimum and consider adding a tiny dose of olive oil or coconut oil to your dog’s food; it can help to moisturize their skin.

Beyond your pet’s comfort, you also need to consider their safety. Most people realize it’s dangerous to leave a dog in a hot car but did you know it can also be harmful to leave your dog in a cold one? In cold weather, cars can act like a refrigerator and pets can die from hypothermia.

While cats fare slightly better than dogs out in the cold, given their ability to crawl into warm, enclosed spaces, this skill can sometimes get them in trouble. It’s not uncommon for kitties to get stuck in garages or sheds. They may also take refuge under the hood of a car, which can be dangerous and even deadly. (We just had our first kitten-stuck-in-a-car rescue last week.) Experts recommend giving the hood of your car a few taps before starting your engine during the winter just in case any cats found their way under it. Of course, cats allowed to go outdoors also face the ever-present danger of getting hit by cars, taken by coyotes and going missing.

While it’s technically legal to leave dogs outside as long as they have some coverage from the elements, Marin Humane strongly encourages people keep their pets indoors. The basic rule of thumb is that if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for them.

Worried about your pets going stir crazy if you keep them inside? Well, just like with kids, it’s all about introducing some indoor games. There’s nothing to say a game of fetch has to be outdoors, or that a cat wand can’t be just as enchanting as that lizard outside.

So have fun with your pets this winter but be sure to play it safe.

Lisa Bloch is the marketing and communications director for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, email lbloch@marinhumane.org or find us on social media @marinhumane.

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