Remember to take extra care of your pets during winter weather and cold temperatures. Director of PAWS and More Amber Talbot says it’s important that pets always have access to drinking water, and she recommends using a heated water dish to prevent it from freezing. Talbot says proper insulation is necessary, “They are not invincible, in that, you know, if it’s too cold for us, it really is too cold for them. Their paw pads, and their skin, and their fur, isn’t invincible at all. You just need to really need to limit the time that they are outdoors. And if your animal is an outdoor animal and has built up that appropriate winter coat and used to those conditions, I mean, just making sure you have proper insulation that really consists of straw-type bedding. A lot of people will throw a blanket out there in the dog house and that provides no insulation for them at all.” Blankets often get wet and then freeze, not offering any warmth. She adds making sure the door to the enclosure is small helps keep the heat inside and foam can help insulate the structure.