When the lazy days of barbecues and swimming pools roll around, you can make
them even better by sharing them with your favorite pet. By following a few
summer pet safety tips, you can keep your animal friends healthy and enjoy the
months of sun and fun.

*  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,
leave the furry ones at home.

*  As you're outside enjoying the warm weather, keep your pets leashed. It will
keep them 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.

*  Water, water everywhere. Whether you're indoors or out, both you and your
pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer, so check their water
bowl several times a day to be sure it's full. If you and your furry friend venture
forth for the afternoon, bring plenty of water for both of you.

*  Pets need sunscreen too. Though all that fur helps protect them, your pets can
get sunburned, particularly if they have 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 pets 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 their ears, the skin around their lips, and the tip of their nose.

*  Say no to tangles. Keeping your pets well groomed will help their hair do what it
was designed to do: protect them from the sun and insulate them from the heat. If
they have extremely thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, their fur may trap too
much heat, so you may want to clip them.

*  Watch out for antifreeze. 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
pets, make sure they don't sneak a drink from the street.

*  Be cautious on humid days. 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 in close quarters.

*  Make sure your pets don't overexert herself. Though exercise is an important
part of keeping your dog or cat at a healthy weight, which helps their body stay
cool, overdoing it can cause them to overheat. Keep the walks to a gentle pace
and make sure they have plenty of water. If they’re panting a lot or seems
exhausted, it's time to stop.

*  Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat. 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 steamy summer days. Dogs with snub noses,
such as Pekingese, pugs, and bulldogs, have a hard time staying cool because
they can't pant efficiently, so they also need to stay out of the heat. 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.

*  Bring them inside. Animals shouldn't be left outside unsupervised on long, hot
days, even in the shade. 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 pets in the backyard, keep a close eye on them and bring
them in when you can.

*  Keep an eye out for 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. DO NOT immerse in cold water!  Often
the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with
their temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. With this
in mind, remember that it is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian
immediately. 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 Fido and Fluffy are relying on you to keep them out of harm's
way. Summer does not have to be fraught with peril--with ample precaution both
you and your furry friends can enjoy those long, hot dog-days of summer.

Signs of Heatstroke
·        Panting
·        Staring
·        Anxious expression
·        Refusal to obey commands
·        Warm, dry skin
·        High fever
·        Rapid heartbeat
·        Vomiting
·        Collapse
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