Ahh, the joy of icy temperatures. There’s nothing like it -- especially if you have to get up at 6 a.m. to walk your dog.

Of course, with my work schedule, that’s not something I have to worry about. Never mind that I don’t have a dog. As I leave my house at 5 in the morning, I see those hearty individuals walking their dogs, bags of poop in hand. Andd boy, do they look happy! However, those freezing cold walks during the dead of winter are a big part of life for many of you.

And while it may seem like the cold air is tougher on you than it is on your pooch, keep in mind that your pets aren't necessarily fans of cold weather, either.

Sure, your pet most likely has a natural fur coat (hey, don’t forget, there ARE hairless cats out there! Why? Never mind), but that's not always enough for animals we've taught to rely on us. With that in mind, here are some ideas for you to keep your furry friends safe and warm this winter.

• Wipe your pet's legs, feet and belly when they come in from the outside. Salt, antifreeze and other chemicals can be ingested by your pets if not washed off.
• Make sure your pets have up-to-date ID tags (or microchips). More dogs are lost in the winter months than in any other season.
• You know those dogs you see walking around in sweaters? It might seem precious, but if your dog is shorthaired, a sweater will make a big difference when he goes out for winter walks.
• If you bathe your pets in the winter, make sure their coats are completely dry before they go outside.
• Give your pet a nice warm place to sleep, preferably off the floor, and definitely away from drafts.
• Never let your dog off the leash in snow or on ice, especially during a snowstorm. Snow makes scent more difficult to track and dogs can easily become lost.
• You know how cars act as heat traps in the summer? In the winter they become refrigerators. Don't leave your pets unattended in your car in either season.
• If getting your family a puppy for Christmas seems like a good idea, keep in mind that puppies don't tolerate cold as well as grown dogs. What this means is that puppies are harder to housebreak during the winter than in warmer months. If you do get a puppy in the winter, you may have better luck paper-training her inside.
• If your dog is sensitive to the cold because of age, breed or illness, only take him outside for bathroom breaks. Wait until spring for longer outdoor jaunts.
• Be a good neighbor and clean up any antifreeze spills from your car. Not only is it the right thing to do environmentally, it could mean saving the life of your own or neighborhood animals -- antifreeze is a lethal poison to dogs and cats.
• Finally, even though you may not be a fan of outdoor cats, keep in mind that they sometimes nestle under the hoods of cars to stay warm. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on your car hood before starting your car to give them a chance to escape.

Better yet, hire someone to take your pet out and stay inside and watch the Today Show, Weather Plus or log onto weatherplus.com to find out just how cold it is and how much better it feels to be inside.