Keep your pets safe in the cold

KSDK -- The Humane Society is offering tips or pet owners to keep their beloved animals safe this winter.

Pet owners are asked to bring their cats and dogs inside during the bitter cold.

While dogs need outdoor exercise, they should not be outside for lengthy periods of time when the temperature drops below freezing. Also, if dogs are left outside more often in the winter months, they may need more food to produce the necessary calories to produce more body heat.

Owners should take care to leave plenty of fresh water available for their pets.

Rock salt used to melt ice on sidewalks can irritate your pet's feet. So if you must take your dog for a walk, keep it shorter than usual.

And another reminder: owners must clean up antifreeze spills and keep it out of reach of their pets because it's poisonous.