| You know that summer is hot. You also know when | | | | quickly rises to the point where any living thing inside |
| you need to get out of the sun and cool down. | | | | will either die or become very, very sick. Even if you |
| Listening to your own body is easy, but your | | | | park in the shade and leave the windows down an |
| four-legged friends can't talk to you. It's your job to | | | | inch or two, you're still putting your beloved pet at |
| protect them from the heat - and all of the | | | | risk. You should leave your dog at home where he |
| consequences of summer - by providing everything | | | | can stay in the shade or inside and have plenty of |
| that they need to stay cool. | | | | access to fresh, cool water. |
| When temperatures climb and your pets are panting | | | | -Don't expect your pets to be playful or overly |
| the afternoons away, follow these tips to keep them | | | | active on hot days. They don't need to overexert |
| safe and happy even on the hottest of days. | | | | themselves any more than you do. Like humans, pets |
| -If possible, let your animals come inside during the | | | | can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat strokes. |
| worst heat every day. Early afternoon is the hottest | | | | -Some pets love to swim. Provide these animals with |
| time of day for any living thing: letting your cats or | | | | a kid's wading pool so that they can cool off |
| dogs soak up some air conditioning for a few hours | | | | whenever they get too hot. You can also take your |
| every day will keep them cool and stop your | | | | dog with you on trips to the lake or other body of |
| worrying. | | | | water. If he loves to swim, the cool water will be |
| -Make sure that your pets have access to shady | | | | great. The time he gets to spend with his human |
| spots at all times. Trees are the best sources of | | | | masters only makes the experience better for |
| protection from the sun. If that isn't possible, make | | | | everybody. |
| sure that your pet can get under a covered area, | | | | -You might be tempted to shave off all of your pet's |
| such as a patio or porch. | | | | hair, but this is not a good idea. The hair protects |
| -Keep the pet's water supply cool and fresh. The | | | | your animal's skin from the sun. The hair also helps |
| water will heat up as the day passes, so either | | | | channel cool air to your pet's skin, which helps him |
| change the dish often or invest in an auto-watering | | | | stay cooler. Instead of buzzing everything, trim the |
| system. Many models attach to your outdoor water | | | | hair to a shorter length. A professional groomer can |
| faucet: as your pet depletes the water supply, the | | | | do this inexpensively and properly. |
| system adds more without overflowing or making a | | | | -If your pet seems sick or otherwise abnormal, call |
| mess. | | | | your veterinarian immediately. If your cat or dog is |
| -Never leave your animal in a car, even for just a | | | | dehydrated or is suffering from heat exhaustion, he'll |
| few minutes. The temperature inside the vehicle | | | | need quick treatment to get well again. |