AS temperatures around Wyre Forest continue to drop this winter, a Kidderminster pet store is urging owners to make sure their pets are safe and warm.

The majority of urban pets spend their time indoors and are more sensitive to weather changes but dogs and cats who like to wander outside will experience lower temperatures, darker days and icy conditions.

Staff members at Pets at Home, in Carpet Trades Way, are also advising owners to take extra care and not let their cat out if the weather gets bitterly cold or windy, as in freezing cold conditions they often crawl into car engines to get warm.

Emma Morgans, store manager, said: “As temperatures continue to freeze, it is important to make sure your pet doesn’t wander around in the evenings. This is when pets, particularly cats, are more likely to get involved in a road accident due to bad visibility.

“If your pet is generally spending time outside, another important thing to consider is treating them to an outdoor shelter. The house should have cosy bedding which needs to be kept dry and warm in case your pet decides to take cover and a water supply, but make sure you check this regularly when the temperature drops below zero.

“Attention should also be paid to small furries, such as guineas pigs and rabbits, in outdoor hutches in case the weather takes a turn for the worst. Bringing them indoors or putting them in a shed, as well as investing in a hutch coverage will help to keep them warm.

“Formal identification – a personal identification tag and a microchip – will ensure furry friends are easily found should they go walkabout.”

For more information on caring for pets during the winter months, ask in store.