Temperatures Rising? Keep Your Pets Cool

Always have a bowl of cool clean water available. Dogs in particular have a higher body temperature than ours; they get hot way before we do. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as rapid panting and a bright red tongue.

Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Even with windows open, a parked car, truck. or van can quickly become a sauna, and overheating can be fatal. Parking in shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day. Always carry a gallon-size bottle filled with fresh cold water.

Don't exercise your pet after a mean in hot weather. Physical activity is best in the cool early morning or evening.

Hot asphalt can raise your pet's body temperature quickly and burns their pads. Watch those street fairs.

At the beach, provide a shady spot and plenty of fresh water. Rinse pets off if they go in salt water.

Make sure there's always plenty of shade available for a pet staying outside the house. A properly constructed doghouse is best. Bring you pet inside during the heat of the day, to rest in a cool part of your house. Always provide plenty of cool, clean water.

Older pets are more sensitive to heat. Snub-nosed dogs (bulldogs, pugs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos, and shiht zus) and those with heart/lung disease should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible.

Avoid walking your pet anywhere you suspect has been sprayed with toxic chemicals. Poisonings increase during the summer, when gardens, lawns, and trees are sprayed. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (888-4ANI-HELP) if you suspect your animal has been exposed.

Be alert for antifreeze coolant leaking from vehicles. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste of coolant. One teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to a cat, and less than one tablespoon can kill a 20-pound dog. Consider using animal friendly products that use propylene glycol rather than those containing ethylene glycol.

A clean coat can help to prevent summer skin problems, so keep your pet well groomed. For heavy coats, shaving your dog's hair to a 1-inch length will help prevent overheating. Don't shave down to the skin or sunburn will occur. A cat should be brushed frequently.

Protect your rabbits, guinea pigs, and other little pets from summer sun by changing their water bottles once a day. Many pets won't drink the water in their bowls if it's too warm, and that can lead to dehydration. Fill sealable, plastic food storage bags with water and freeze them. Place frozen bags in your pet's habitat for them to lie against or be near. Use larger bags for bunnies and guinea pigs, smaller bags for the littlest pets.

When using water to bring your pet's body temperature down, cool is better than cold. You need to avoid your pet going into shock.