Winter is pretty much upon us. I have a lot of ways to tell at my house.

For one thing, on these chillier nights, bed space is at a premium. My dog Bailey stands next to the nightstand now and whines until I finally give in and scoot over to make room for her. In the meantime, my dog Jack has grafted his ample 95 pounds to the back of my legs with a satisfied groan. Top that off – literally – with one cat wrapped around my head and the other on the empty pillow, and it’s easy to see why I live alone.

Granted, not everyone finds the unique charm in this setup that I do.

However, now that evening temperatures regularly drop below freezing, we’re all responsible for making certain that the animals in our care have the resources they need to take them safely and comfortably through the winter.

To begin with, remember that all dog breeds are in fact NOT, by nature, suited to live outdoors. Our pets are domesticated, meaning that human beings have fooled around with nature’s finer plan, and in many cases we’ve come up with a considerably less practical one. Short-haired animals may grow a winter coat, but it’s not adequate for continuous exposure to the elements. Cats, short-haired dogs, and young, old or sick (especially arthritic) animals should be kept indoors in cold weather, or at the very least be given access to a warm garage or shed with warm, dry bedding out of the wind and moisture.

Pet stores offer a fine selection of non-electric bedding stuffed with materials that hold in body heat (electrical cords appeal to curious dogs with chewing fetishes, so these are not encouraged). Alternately, straw makes great warm bedding, but it needs to be supplemented or replaced every week or two because it grinds down to a fine powder after much pawing or shuffling and can become moldy over time, causing respiratory problems.

Shelter for all pets should be up off the ground to keep moisture away; nothing is more uncomfortable or detrimental than being cold and wet. The best shelters provide enough room for your dog to move around but are close enough to keep in body heat.

Wind can come in from all directions, especially north-facing openings, so try to keep the sleeping area concealed from direct exposure to the outside. Rugs or blankets hung over the entryway cut the bitter breezes.

If your neighborhood has outdoor cats, please give your car hood a courtesy thump before getting in and starting the engine. A warm engine block is a great place for a cat to curl up on a cold night.

When feeding your pet outside, remember that moist food that’s not eaten right away will freeze, and that doesn’t help your animal at all. Keep plenty of dry food available, or feed smaller meals more often to help them maintain body heat. Shivering uses a great many calories.

Water poses its own problem. Never rely on snowfall to provide your animal’s drinking needs. It’s an unreliable source, a bucket of snow does not equal a bucket of water, and putting something that cold inside your pet will only make him or her colder. Keep water fresh as you would during the summer, but use a heated bowl or an electric heater inside a regular bowl to keep it from freezing. This goes for horses and cattle, too. Horses, after all, need eight to 12 gallons a day.

If you own horses, you’ll need to keep extra forage out for them as well. According to Kathy Anderson of the Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Nebraska, “For each decrease in coldness of 1 degree Fahrenheit below the (animal’s) critical temperature, there is an increase in digestible energy requirements of 1 percent for body temperature maintenance.”

And don’t forget the animals’ feet. Dogs’ and cats’ should be wiped clean of salt and other de-icers, and they should be checked for cuts and for packed snow between the toes. Horses are better off without shoes during the winter, when riding is minimal; “shod feet can become ice-packed, increasing the chance for slipping on snow and ice,” according to Anderson.

Basic winter care for our pets takes a little extra thought and effort, but it’s worth it to know that as we snuggle in for our long winter’s naps, our pets will be able to do the same.

If you see a neighborhood or farm animal who is struggling this winter, please call the Lawrence Humane Society at 843-6835. We’ll send someone out to assess the situation and take proper steps to help.