Beating the Heat

Your pet may slow down when the weather heats up, so the best time for exercise is in the early morning or evening, but never spend long periods of time outside with your pet when it's especially hot or humid at any point in the day. Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, since his body can heat up quickly and his sensitive paw pads can easily burn. Instead, direct him to grassy areas, and use paw wax for those short distances he may have to walk across hot surfaces. (Paw wax is also great for preventing slipping – while walking on rocky areas of the beach, for instance.)

Owners of canines with heavy coats can help prevent them from overheating by cutting their hair to a one-inch length in the summer months. If you take your dog to a professional groomer, ask for a pet clip, the universal term for this shorter ’do. Never trim your pet's coat down to the skin, however, as this can rob your dog of his natural protection from the sun. If your dog has a short coat, invest in some canine sunscreen to prevent burns. Pet-safe versions that spray on are now available at many pet supply stores.

Always provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals spending time outdoors. A properly constructed doghouse is a must if your dog spends a lot of time outside. Bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day. Let him rest in a cool part of the house, but first make sure there are no unscreened windows or open doors in your home through which an animal can fall or escape.

When traveling with your pet during hot weather, make it a habit to carry a gallon-size thermos of water. Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Overheating can be fatal. Even if you park in the shade or roll the windows down a bit, the temperature inside a parked vehicle rises astoundingly quickly, often reaching deadly levels within just minutes.

Utilize Preventive Medications

One of the most prevalent dangers of warm weather is the plethora of diseases caused by insects and arachnids. Mosquitoes, for example, spread heartworm disease, a potentially fatal affliction. Ticks spread a number of treacherous diseases – including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis. Even a flea, which many pet owners consider to be more of a pest than a real health danger, can lead to parasite infestation. The good news is that all of these problems are highly preventable when owners treat their pets with a monthly preventive medication prescribed by their veterinarians.

Other Warm-Weather Dangers

Since summer is a common time for gardens, lawns, and trees to be sprayed with insecticides, avoid walking your dog in unfamiliar areas. Your own back yard can be a dangerous place too if you use certain products, such as cocoa mulch, which is highly toxic to pets. With more than 700 poisonous plants out there, even the trees, bushes, and flowers alone can pose a problem. Unless you are certain a particular plant is safe, keep your pet away from it.

The ethylene glycol in conventional automobile coolants is extremely poisonous to pets. To make this an even greater concern for pet owners, the liquid has a sweet taste, so many dogs and cats are instantly drawn to it. Fill your own automobile’s radiator with coolant made with propylene glycol (a safe alternative) instead, and be especially vigilant of your dog in parking lots. If you think that your animal has been exposed to dangerous chemicals of any kind, seek help from your veterinarian immediately.

Some animals will need extra special care in hot weather, especially those who are older, overweight, or have heart or lung disease. Talk to your vet about creating a keep-cool strategy in these situations. Certain breeds of dogs – including bulldogs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzu, need extra attention on hot days due to their shorter muzzles and related predisposition to respiratory problems. If your pet is showing signs of heat stroke or exhaustion – excessive panting, gasping for air, or dizziness – take him to the nearest veterinarian immediately.

This article is provided by our friends at PetDoc, the nation's leading resource for pet care information.