5 KEYS TO HOT SUMMER DAYS

Summer is coming up fast, and that means high temperatures. Here are five critical safety tips to remember to keep your pets cool and healthy:

• Water, water, and more water: Keep water bowls full with clean, cool water at all times. Dogs loose their body's moisture faster than we humans do. Adding ice cubes to their water bowls both keeps the water cool and can increase your pet's interest in drinking.
• Keep them out of parked cars: Even with the windows cracked, the interior temperature of a parked car reach 100 degrees in 10 minutes.  Just leave them home!
• Pavement gets H-O-T!: Black asphalt absorbs sunlight, which means that driveways and parking lots can burn your pets feet even if it doesn't feel too hot out.  Bend down and feel the temperature of the payment before letting your dog or cat walk on it.
• Don't over-exercise: When the temperature gets in the 80s and 90s, limit their exercise. Dogs don't know to slow down when playing fetch or running in the yard.  Be especially careful with pugs, French bulldogs and other brachycephalic (ie, short-nosed) breeds, as they have a harder time breathing and can overheat more quickly.
• Screened-in kitties: Make sure you have screens on home windows that you leave open. Cats are as curious as they come, and can squeeze through surprisingly small window openings.