When you snuggle up in front of the fire or heater this winter give a thought to the pet outside. Some dogs are not dressed for the cold and need a good warm spot to snuggle, at your feet or in front of the fire. Your cat extended this invitation, why not your dog?

If designed for cold conditions, give the pet a good dog house to get into, a nice pillow or two with a good rough blanket. Dogs prefer the rougher blankets, too warm and they perspire, aeration around the body and the comfort is what they wish for. Some dogs will not enter a dog house, then place a blanket for them in their favourite spot. Easy to find, there is normally a good indentation where they have chosen to lie.

Smaller dogs not allowed in the homestead, living in the dog box, can wear a dog jersey obtainable from all pet shops. Socks for their paws, I don't think so, some how they're designed to withstand the cold, bare feet for the human unbearable, but a dog, no problem. Socks that get wet can become a discomfort, which the dog can have difficulty discarding, so the paws are constantly damp and the cold, worst.

Watch a dog curl up in the cold, their paws pulled into the body and turned up, a natural way for them to keep their paws warm. Feed them in the early afternoon sustenance for keeping them warm, a warm breakfast stimulates the body and assists the daily chores.

Water bowls, a must for all the pets, good clean water placed in a protected site to avoid freezing, dogs look stupid with a block of ice stuck to the tongue. If there is no place of protection, give them fresh water every morning, they will naturally drink and slake their thirst. Remember, animals in the wild will drink once or twice a day, so removing the water in the late evening will not dehydrate the pooch over night.

Wind and black frost a problem in some areas, protect the out-side dog from these, build small wind breaks or shelters where they can seek shelter if they so wish. Some dogs you need not worry, they're built for the snow and the rain, they will lie in a flat prone posture, and ignore what nature has to offer. These are normally long-haired characters, the short-haired varieties are the ones to take pity on.

I advocate allowing your pet to gain a small amount of weight within the autumn period. It gives stored up carbohydrates for the animal to use for heat production, when I say gain weight, a small amount, a fat dog is unhealthy, and the chances are will feel the cold more.

Wake up people of the southern hemisphere, the winter is on its way, prepare yourselves for the oncoming cold, but more importantly give consideration to the pets your responsible for. They do rely on you and are probably already telling you temperatures are dropping in the evening, take the time to watch them, they understand the climate far better than you or I.