If it's cold for you, it’s cold for your pet.

That’s the key message from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) as it urges pet owners to take extra precautions to ensure their dogs, cats and other small pets are kept safe from hidden and potentially fatal hazards as temperatures plunge around the UK.

BVA President Simon Doherty said: “Extreme cold weather calls for extra precautions to keep our furry friends warm and safe. Even simple things like leaving your dog outside a shop in this weather whilst you pop in for a bit or putting your cat out all night can risk a range of avoidable illnesses.

“If owners have any concerns about their pet in this cold weather, they should consult their local vet for advice.”

Top tips to keep pets safe this winter:

* Make sure your pet’s bed is in a draught-free, warm spot off the floor in the house. For outdoor pets, the hutch or run should be in a sheltered position, away from wind, rain and snow at least 10 cm off the ground.

* Dogs need to be exercised; however, during the colder months, try to walk your dog for shorter periods. Wipe your dog’s paws and belly on returning home from a snowy walk to remove any ice or salt, and to regularly check for cracks in paw-pads

* Avoid antifreeze poisoning: Wiping your pets’ paws can also prevent them from ingesting toxins that they may have stood in whilst outside

* Keep the temperature of rabbit and guinea pig homes between 0⁰C - +20⁰C for rabbits (the lower temperature assumes rabbits are healthy and kept with other rabbits, with lots of bedding for warmth) and +5⁰C - +20⁰C for guinea pigs, avoiding too many fluctuations in temperature

* Make sure rabbits and guinea pigs have extra bedding to keep warm during colder weather - line hutches with plenty of newspaper, provide lots of hay and cover with an old duvet/blanket/tarpaulin. If the weather becomes very severe, consider moving outdoor pets inside to a well-ventilated space with light and room to exercise – but never place them inside a garage in use