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When the warm and lazy days of being outdoors roll around, you can make them even better by sharing them with your pets! By following a few summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the months of fun in the sun!

Never leave your pet in the car. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes, even with the windows rolled down. If you need to run some errands, please leave the furry ones at home where they can be cool and comfortable.

Always keep your pet on a leash or in a fenced in area while outside. It will keep her from getting lost, fighting other animals, and eating and drinking things that could make her sick. This tip isn't just for dogs--even cats can learn to walk on a leash if you train them. It may be beneficial to microchip your pet if they are known for their “escape artist” techniques.

Your pet should always have access to FRESH water. Whether you're indoors or out, your pet needs access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check her water bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you and your furry friend go hiking or walking, always bring plenty of water for both of you.

Pets could use some sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect her, your pet can get sunburned, particularly if she has light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals can cause problems similar to those it can cause in people, including pain, peeling, and skin cancer. So keep your pet out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and when you do go out, rub a bit of sunblock on unprotected areas like the tips of her ears, the skin around her lips, and most importantly the tip of her nose.

Prevent tangles. Keeping your pet well groomed will help her hair do what it was designed to do: protect her from the sun and the heat. For dogs with extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, her fur may trap too much heat, so it is a good idea to have them groomed regularly.

Beware of standing water. Hot weather may tempt your pet to drink from puddles in the street, which can contain antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but it's extremely toxic. When you're walking your pet, make sure she doesn’t drink from standing water.

Humid dangers. Humidity interferes with animals' ability to rid themselves of excess body heat. When we overheat we sweat, and when the sweat dries it takes excess heat with it. Our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws, which is not enough to cool the body. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. Air moves through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is a very efficient way to control body heat, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is kept in a small space.

Make sure your pet doesn't over do it. Though exercise is an important part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps her body stay cool, overdoing it can cause her to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace and make sure she has plenty of water. It is a good idea to walk your pet in the early morning or evening hours when the temperature is lower. If she's panting a lot or seems exhausted, take a break and head home. This is a good time to take them swimming.

Some dogs tire easily. Elderly, very young, and ill animals have a hard time regulating their body temperature, so make sure they stay cool and out of the sun on summer days. Dogs with short noses, such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because they can't pant efficiently. Overweight dogs are also more prone to overheating, because their extra layers of fat act as insulation, which traps heat in their bodies and restricts their breathing capabilities. Swimming is a perfect exercise for overweight dogs.

Welcome your pet into your home. Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot days, even in the shade with water. Shade can move throughout the afternoon, and pets can become ill quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as possible. If you must leave your pet in the backyard, keep a close eye on her and bring her in when you can.

Beware of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke (see "Signs of Heatstroke”, below), you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Don’t make assumptions they will easily recover and plan to get your pet to the vet quickly. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Even with emergency treatment, heatstroke can be fatal. The best cure is prevention, and your pets are relying on you to keep them out of harm's way. Summer can be enjoyable for the whole family, including your pets, when safety and precaution is put first.

Signs of Heatstroke

Excessive Panting
Staring or glazed over look
Anxious expressions and behaviors
Refusal to obey commands or unresponsive
Warm, dry skin
High fever
Rapid heartbeat
Vomiting
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