High desert winters catch a lot of people off guard.

Afternoons in Palmdale and Lancaster can feel mild, but once the sun drops, temperatures can slide below freezing, and cold snaps have pushed Lancaster into the teens.

Add the AV's famous wind, and the chill on an animal's body gets worse fast.

Here is how to keep dogs, cats and other pets safe as the nights turn cold.

Bring them inside.

The simplest rule is still the best one: when temperatures head toward freezing, pets belong indoors.

Small, short-haired, very young, senior and thin pets lose body heat quickly, and a fur coat is not a substitute for a warm house.

Pets with arthritis, heart disease, kidney problems or diabetes can also struggle to stay warm, so ask your veterinarian about extra precautions.

Outdoor animals need real shelter.

If a dog spends time outside, it needs a dry, insulated, draft-free shelter raised off the ground, just big enough to hold its body heat.

Turn the doorway away from the prevailing wind, and add a flap if you can.

Straw bedding stays drier and warmer than blankets, which soak up moisture and can freeze.

Check water bowls morning and night, because water left outside can freeze solid overnight, and a heated bowl solves the problem.

Pets that spend more time outdoors burn more energy staying warm, so talk with your vet about whether their food should change for winter.

Antifreeze is the hidden danger.

Antifreeze made with ethylene glycol tastes sweet to animals, and a very small amount can cause fatal kidney failure in a dog or cat.

Wipe up spills in the garage and driveway right away, keep containers tightly closed and out of reach, and consider a product made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic.

Early signs can look like drunkenness, including wobbling, vomiting and extreme thirst, and a pet can seem to improve before getting much worse.

Treatment works best within hours, so head to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet drank antifreeze, even if it looks fine.

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, and a consultation fee may apply.

Check under the hood.

Outdoor and community cats sometimes crawl into warm engine compartments on cold nights, so knock on the hood or honk before you start the car.

Mind heaters and paws.

Keep pets away from space heaters and fireplaces, and choose heaters that shut off if they tip over.

Dry desert air and cold ground can crack paw pads, so wipe and check paws after walks.

Never leave a pet in a car on a cold night, since a vehicle can hold the cold like a refrigerator.

Check fences after windstorms.

High desert winds can knock down panels and pop open gates, so walk the fence line after a blow and make sure collars, tags and microchip contact details are current.

Watch for hypothermia.

Shivering, weakness, sluggishness and slow breathing are warning signs, and a pet showing them should be warmed gently and seen by a vet.

If you see an animal left outside without shelter in freezing weather, you can report it to LA County Animal Care and Control through the Palmdale Animal Care Center at (661) 575-2888.

A little planning now means every animal in the AV can ride out winter warm, safe and fed.

Helpful links

Cold weather animal safety from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, open 24/7 at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.

Pet Poison Helpline, (855) 764-7661.

LA County Animal Care and Control, to report an animal left without shelter.