Have the Dog Days of Summer returned to your neighborhood? Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe and comfortable during the hot summer weather.

1) Dogs and cats bodies are not as efficient at cooling themselves as ours are. They can only cool off by perspire through the pads of their feet and by panting. This means they are more greatly affected by the heat than we are, especially if it is humid. Weather which is pleasantly summerlike to us is uncomfortable for them, and if it seems too hot out for you, you can bet that it feels even worse to your pet!

2) Some pets are more susceptible to the heat than others. These include the very young, the elderly, pets with certain medical conditions (heart and airway problems, kidney disease, Cushings disease to name a few) and short-nose dog breed, such as Bulldogs, boxers and pugs who tend towards breathing problems in hot weather. The same is true for short nosed cat breeds, such as Persians and Exotic Shorthairs, which also have heavy coats to contend with! Ensure that these pets are kept as cool and comfortable as possible.

3) Never, ever, EVER leave your pet in a closed vehicle, even with the windows open a little. On just a moderatly warm (60's-70's) day the temperature inside of a closed car can skyrocket to dangerous levels within minutes, especially if it is in the sun. If you don't believe me, leave a thermometer on the seat of your car next time you run that "2 minute errand"!

Being left in a closed car is the #1 cause of heatstroke in pets.

4) If your dog is outdoors make sure he always has access to shade. Never tie your dog out in such a way that he can't get out of the hot sun. If your dog is outside in an enclosed pen or run, you may be able to keep it cooler by creating a shady area with a space blanket or shade cloth.

5) Don't let your dog overexert himself during the hottest hours of the day. Restrict activities like frisbee, fetch, running with you, taking long walks to the early morning or early evening hours when it is cooler. If it is very hot and humid, skip them altogether.

6) Make sure your pet always has plenty of fresh water - you should do this year-round, but it's more important in hot weather. Your pet's body loses moisture through panting and he will need to drink more to keep hydrated.

7) Consider a cooling mat for your dog to sleep on. Our personal favorite is the Canine Cooler (read our review here). Or you can buy inexpensive cooling mats which are activated by soaking in water for a few minutes. Some dogs don't like lying on these because they are damp - putting a towel on top may help.

Note that neither of these mats are recommended for dogs who chew their bedding.

8) If you have a very heavy-coated dog, keep him brushed to remove as much undercoat as possible. If your home is not air-conditioned, you can help him stay cooler by having your groomer inconspicuously shave the hair off his belly or (in extreme cases) shaving or clipping more of the coat.

9) Be aware of the symptoms of heatstroke in your pet. These include:

• Rapid, frantic , noisy breathing
• Bright red color to the tongue and gums
• Salivating - saliva is thick and sticky
• Vomiting, in severe cases bloody vomiting or diarrhea
• Unsteadiness, staggering, seizures or coma

10) Heatstroke, if it does occur, is a medical emergency!

IMMEDIATELY get your pet to cooler surroundings (an air-conditioned building or car). Take your pet's temperature if you can. If this is a dog and his body temperature is over 104 degrees (over 103 degrees for a cat) try to cool him down with a garden hose, putting him in a tub of cool water or applying cool, wet towels, especially to his belly, head, ears, feet.

Get veterinary attention as soon as possible, even if your dog seems OK. Heat stroke can have serious or fatal consequences which may not show up for hours or days after the incident.

Have a safe and happy summer!