Cold weather is here, and experts urge everyone not to forget the smallest members of the family, the family pet. Dr. Susan Nelson, veterinarian and clinical assistant professor at Kansas State University encourages pet owners to be alert to seasonal health issues, especially as the temperature drops.

When the weather turns colder, you may want to bring your cat or dog inside for warmth. Nelson recommends keeping dogs with heavy coats in a slightly cooler room or the garage to prevent them from getting too warm and uncomfortable. Short trips inside the house before a long period of cold can give pets a chance to become accustomed to the atmosphere indoors.

Some pets may get nervous and panic while inside. Keeping them in a carrier or crate may help to ease the transition. If their nervousness is severe, talk with your veterinarian about calming medication.

Make sure pets know their food and water locations, too.

If your pet is not housebroken, Nelson recommends keeping them on floors that are easily cleaned.

Once inside, pets can be exposed to an environment that contains different hazards than those found outdoors. Lilies, dieffenbachia and philodendron are just a few of the indoor plants that can be toxic to pets. Take inventory of what plants you have and find out if they are poisonous before bringing pets inside.

When given the proper care, pets can be comfortable outside during cold weather, Nelson adds. Outside pet shelter should not be too big in order to prevent the loss of insulation and heat,. The door should face the south or west to reduce wind gusts. Use clean straw or hay for bedding as blankets tends to get cold easily and then lose their insulating effect.

Pets that walk on sidewalks and driveways run the risk of picking up rock salt, ice and other chemicals on the pads of their feet. Rinse off the feet of pets if they have been on salted or chemically treated walkways; do not let them lick it off. It is best to try to avoid treated driveways, but if your pet must frequently walk on these surfaces, consider booties.

Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle and consider using products that contain propylene glycol, rather than ethylene glycol, because it is more pet friendly, but still not entirely harmless.

Frostbite can be an issue on the ears, feet and noses of pets. To avoid frostbite do not let your pet out in extreme cold for a long period of time. Chances are that if you get too cold to be outside, it's probably too cold for your pet to stay out much longer as well.