Hot Weather Tips for Dogs and Cats

Summer time is fun and exciting for our pets. The heat can also mean discomfort for our companions. They need our help in protecting them from conditions such as overheating, dehydration, and sunburn.

The followings are some summer safety tips for dogs and cats:

· Don't leave your pet alone in a parked car. They may develop hyperthermia (increased body temperature) which is usually fatal. Dogs and cats cannot perspire and can only release heat by panting, drooling and through the pads in their feet. Cars reach unsafe temperature levels (120 degree) quickly. Young, elderly or obese pets, and those with a dark-colored coat are particularly at risk of overheating. Call 911 or alert nearby store management if you see an animal parked in a car.

· Provide fresh water, and plenty of it, and provide shade for your pets while they are outdoors. Allow your dogs and cats to stay indoors during extremely hot days, except when taking them out for exercise. This is best done in early morning or late evening.

· When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other dangerous chemicals. Keep your coolant and other automobile fluids out of reach of your pets. These may cause fatal poisoning to your pets.

· Visit your veterinarian to check for skin parasites–lice, fleas and ticks–which are common during the summer. Follow the veterinarian's recommendations for safe and effective products for controlling skin parasites or bugs. Regular grooming is also advised.

· Leave your pets at home when going to crowded summer events. Fireworks for example make pets very uncomfortable and agitated, and can hurt their sensitive ears.

· Keep animals in a well-ventilated crate while driving. Leave enough space to allow your pet to move or turn around. Don't drive with your dog in the back of a pick-up truck, or ride with its head outside the window. And don't feed your pet in a moving vehicle.

Visit the following websites for more information:

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Hot Weather Tips

Pets Are Worth Saving: Chicago: Summer Pet Care Information