Coming in from the cold and into the dry heat of your home on a regular basis can produce itchy, flaky skin. Maintain a humidified environment in your home and towel dry your pet as soon as he enters, paying specific care to his feet and in-between the toes. Remove any snow balls that have accumulated between his foot pads.

In the cold, never shave your dog down to the skin; a fuller coat will provide additional warmth. If your dog has long hair, simply cut it to reduce the amount of clinging ice balls, salt crystals, and de-icing chemicals that can dry up his skin, and don't forget about the hair between his toes. Consider getting your short-haired dog a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers him from the base of the tail to the belly button. This is standard winter attire for many dogs.

During chilly weather, bathe your dogs as little as possible. Washing too frequently can strip away essential oils, increasing the risk of dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.

Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.

Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.