THE MONTH OF OCTOBER was mild and pleasantly autumnal. With November, the season and the climate both changed abruptly. It is suddenly very cold in Portland, Oregon. Time to turn on the furnace, dress warmly, and give some thought to keeping your pet comfortable and safe through the winter months.

Antifreeze poisons pets: This is the time of year when many people add fresh antifreeze to the radiator in the car. Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) has a sweet taste that appeals to animals. It is also extremely toxic and can cause deadly kidney damage. Just a half a teaspoon of antifreeze can kill a cat, and a quarter cup can kill a dog.

Prevention Tips: Never pour antifreeze in storm sewers and always sweep up spills immediately with kitty litter. Check your car regularly for radiator leaks. Always store antifreeze containers in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. Keep your pets out of the area when you drain antifreeze from your car. Propylene glycol is a less toxic form of antifreeze and should be used instead of ethylene glycol.

Some common signs of antifreeze poisoning are stumbling, vomiting and depression. If you think your pet may have ingested any amount of antifreeze, bring it to the pet hospital immediately. If it is after hours, take your pet directly to Dove Lewis Emergency Pet Hospital. It is essential that you act quickly to save your pet.

Dogs' feet can get sore and cold:
The chemicals that people sprinkle on their sidewalks to remove ice are caustic. They can burn the pads of your pets' feet and are poisonous to pets that lick their feet. When your pet comes indoors, wash off its feet with a wash cloth and dry them with a towel. For long walks on cold concrete, consider getting your dog a pair of booties. Ask yourself, would I want to go outside for a walk in my bare feet now?

Puppies, kittens, and older pets should not be kept outside during cold weather.

Outdoor dogs need shelter:
Dogs that live outside need a doghouse that is water-proof, draft-free, and out of the wind. It should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down and stretch out in, but not too large for the dog to warm with its body heat. It should not be more than a foot longer or 3-inches higher than the dog. Clean wood chips or straw are good insulators and are recommended as a bed for the doghouse. They need to be dry and should be changed frequently.

Food and water:
Make sure that your outdoor pets always have fresh food and water, and that their dishes are not frozen. Don't use metal food dishes; if they freeze, your pet's tongue could stick to the dish. (If it's cold enough to freeze your pet's food, don't you think it's time to invite him into your house?)

Watch for Arthritis:
Cold and wet weather often aggravates arthritis. If your pet seems stiff and sore and has trouble getting up, bring it to the pet hospital for an examination and treatment recommendations.

Protect your dog from rain:
Your dog needs daily exercise, but if you need to wear a raincoat to go out, consider outfitting your dog with a raincoat, too.

Cats and cars:
Outdoor cats have been known to crawl into a car engine in search of warmth. Before you turn on your car engine in the morning, thump on the hood to wake up any cats that may be sleeping on your motor.

Cold floors:
If the floor in your house is too cold for bare human feet, it is probably also too cold and uncomfortable for your pets to sleep on. Provide your pets with rugs to sleep on or their own pet beds. Check the beds daily to make sure they are clean and dry.