IF you are feeling the cold chances are your pet is too.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging 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.

Pets can fall ill upon exposure to extremely cold temperatures for extended periods.

To avoid this, BVA advise that dogs are walked for shorter periods of time than usual, but more frequently if required, and to consider putting a coat on old dogs or those with thin fur to keep them warm.

Keep older cats inside during an extremely cold spell and ensure that even healthy young cats have easy access to shelter and warmth.

When walking your dog in ice and snow, do not let it off the lead and avoid walking in areas where ponds or lakes may have frozen over - animals often don’t understand the difference between solid ground and ice and can fall through.

In this situation, vets urge owners to call the emergency services for professional help rather than going in after their pet.

It’s also important to wipe your dog’s paws and belly on returning home from a snowy walk to remove any ice or salt and wipe their paws to prevent them from ingesting toxins such as antifreeze that they may have stood in whilst outside - regularly check for cracks in paw-pads or for redness between the toes.

Small pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs that usually live outdoors are vulnerable to the cold and damp despite their furry coats. Owners with outdoor hutches and runs should be extra vigilant during the cold snap and make sure that their pets’ living space is well-protected from snow, frost and winter rain and kept dry.

Give rabbits and guinea pigs extra bedding to keep warm and check their water bottle or bowl regularly, as these can freeze when the temperature drops.

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.

“Domestic rabbits and guinea pigs are also vulnerable to hypothermia despite their warm coats, which is why owners need to be vigilant and take steps to ensure their hutches are protected from the snow, cold draughts and winter rain.

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