Summer is a wonderful season to enjoy time outdoors with your pet.

Yet, while the warmer, longer days mean more time to spend out on walks or playing fetch in the park, the heat also brings with it some dangers. Heatstroke is a serious, potentially fatal condition that occurs when your pet overheats and becomes dehydrated. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to prevent it!

Summer Safety Tips

Your pet overheats a lot easier than you do. While we can sweat it out, pets don't have the same ability, and can only expel heat when panting-and they can only pant so much! Therefore, it's up to you to help them stay cool with these tips:

• Be aware of your pet's individual needs. Dogs with thick, black coats overheat faster than those with short, lighter fur. Additionally, dogs with shorter snouts like Boxers, Pugs, or Bulldogs have a harder time panting and so require an extra bit of attention in the heat.
• No matter the breed, your pet needs plenty of cool, freshwater while outdoors, as well as a patch of shade where they can escape the sun's rays.
• Keep the heat index in mind. While temperature is important, heat index takes into account humidity as well, which makes it even harder for your pet to cope in the heat.
• Take your daily walks earlier in the day or later in the evening to avoid the hottest times of day.
• NEVER leave your pet in a parked car. The temperature inside can rise to dangerous levels in only a matter of minutes, putting your pet in serious risk. Leave them at home or take them out with you!

Don't Forget About Pest Prevention

As we all know, pests such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which carry heartworms, all love the warmer weather as much as we do! Keep your pet free of these nasty buggers by staying current with their parasite preventatives.

If you have any questions about heat safety or parasite preventatives, please don't hesitate to get in touch today! We're happy to help.