The dog (and cat) days of summer

Some of you may have already noticed, but it's hot outside. Like, really hot. Record-setting hot, in many parts of the country (and the world). And while we wish there was relief on the horizon, the fact of the matter is that we can probably expect a lot more of this kind of weather in our future. Summer is a great time to play with your pets outdoors, but heat like this can be dangerous...to you and your pets. We want you to enjoy your summer and stay safe while you do it, so we're gonna give you a few tips to do just that.

First off, know your pet. Certain pets are more susceptible to heat-related health concerns: overweight pets, dog breeds with short/wrinkly faces, long-coated pets, and older pets are all at greater risk. Exercise is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter, but you may need to take it easy if your pet falls into any of these groups. Watch for any signs of tiring or exhaustion: hard or difficult breathing, excessive panting, drooling, weakness, or lethargy. If your pet is starting to tire out, seek out shade immediately. Any more severe symptoms like vomiting, collapse, or seizure require immediate medical attention. Always have water on-hand, and bring enough for you and your pet. Pet supply stores sell fold-up water bowls for the pet on the go, which are light-weight and handy for any kind of outdoor activity.

A good rule of thumb for any pet, but especially for pets who are sensitive to heat, is to aim for lots of little activities instead of two or three big walks a day. Spend a few minutes in the back yard for a potty break and a quick jaunt, or take a walk around the block instead of a walk around the neighborhood. You'll have to go out more times a day, but you won't be making that call to the emergency vet clinic. And, as an added bonus, you can stay close to home; home, where you know there's plenty of shade, cool air, and water to go around in case you or your pet get a little too tired.

If you have a sprinkler handy, turn your back yard into a water park for your pet! Most dogs are absolutely nuts about sprinklers, and the water is a great way to keep them cool in the summer heat. Kiddie pools are fun, too, and they're a cheap, easy way to cool off a warm dog on a hot day...but if you have a big chewer, you might want to buy a couple of back-up pools. We're not sure what it is, but dogs just LOVE to put little tooth holes in kiddie pools. Make sure you dump and refill the pool every day or two, though: mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water, and if you accidentally start a little mosquito farm you may end up with a case of heartworms on your hands.

If you've got fluffy pets, get 'em a nice haircut for the summer. A good grooming can go a long way, and although your pet may not enjoy the actual process of being groomed, they'll be a lot more comfortable after the fact - yes, cats too! You always want to leave 1/2 to 1 inch of fur to protect from sunburn, but a shorter 'do will help your pet get rid of body heat faster and that may make a big difference on a hot day.

Finally, and this one hopefully seems like common sense to most of us, never ever leave your pet in the car. It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees or 70 degrees, and it doesn't matter if your windows are open a little. On a day when it's in the 70s, your car will top 116 degrees in less than an hour; on a 90 degree day, it only takes 20 minutes to push the mercury up to 125 degrees. Having all four windows open only makes a 5 degree difference; whether your car is 120 degrees or 125 degrees, a pet left inside for even a few minutes is in serious jeopardy. If you see a pet left in a car, your quick action may save a life: call your local animal control agency or non-emergency police number immediately. In Woodford County, you can reach animal control at 859.879.0598 between 8am and 4pm every day; our non-emergency police number is 859.873.3126 for after-hours calls or any time you can't reach an animal control officer.

Whew! We're getting a little sweaty just thinking about it, but that sums it up pretty well. Got any more tips for surviving summer? Leave 'em in the comments and join the discussion! But above all...stay cool!