Staying active in the winter can feel like a chore and our pet's physical activity can also suffer in the cold months.

We haven't received much of a break from the extremely cold temperatures since before Christmas, but taking your dog for a walk during an extreme cold warning is not the solution. Dana Haukaas, Executive Director at Moose Jaw Humane Society, says sometimes it's just too cold.

"There are some dogs that won't go to the bathroom unless you take them for a walk so you might have to take them out quickly, but if there is an extreme cold warning it is way too cold."

Haukaas also says to be mindful when the temperatures are mild in the winter because some salt used on sidewalks isn't safe for dogs.

"Not everybody has a pet so they don't always think about using pet-friendly ice melt salt and that salt can get in between their toes and can cause irritation." She says to wash your dog's paws after each walk to ensure all the salt is cleaned off. 

Here are eight pet safety tips to make sure we are doing our best to keep them out of harm's way during the colder months.

1. Never leave your cat or dog alone in a cold vehicle. Your car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold. This can quickly lead to your pets getting hypothermia or even freezing to death.

2. Reduce walk times. It's important to only allow your pets out for shorter periods when the weather temperatures drop. If you do plan on taking your pet out for an extended walk, provide booties for their paws to prevent them from freezing. For those smaller breeds, you may even want to go out and buy them a sweater or jacket for extra added warmth.

3. Keep your pets away from winter puddles. These puddles could contain ethylene glycol, which is commonly found in antifreeze. If ingested, your pet could become severely ill or it may even be fatal.

4. Wipe your pet's paws after being outside. The salt used to help melt the ice on sidewalks can irritate or even burn the pads on the bottom of your pet's paws.

5. Be aware of cats seeking shelter under vehicle hoods. This is a common place for cats to curl up as it protects them from the wind and the heat off of the engine helps keep them warm.

6. Keep your pets away from bodies of water.

7. Recognize the signs of hypothermia. Shaking, whining, anxiety, shivering, or weakness are all signs that your pet may be suffering from hypothermia. Seek medical attention for your animal if you think that they may be suffering from hypothermia.

8. Most importantly, if it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet.