Heatstroke is extremely dangerous to any animal, and as the summer months begin to approach it is vital for all pet owners to know how to keep their pets cool, healthy and safe. One of the best ways to keep cool is simply to remain indoors, but this impractical and unfair on animals. However, there are precautions you can take so that your best friend is able to enjoy the summer sun as much as you. It is important to be able to spot the signs of your pet beginning to get too hot before heatstroke becomes a problem:

*Panting - a dog will pant in order to help it cool down. If your dog begins panting heavily, bring them into the shade and offer them a cool drink.

*Lethargy - if your pet starts to become tired and unwilling, it might be because they are too hot.

*Bad tempered - becoming hot and bothered can cause animals to be short tempered so they may start to snap and be irritable. If this is the case, offer them a cool drink, make sure that they are in the shade and leave them alone until they have calmed down.

Dehydration is one of the greatest dangers come across in pets during the summer. It is essential all year round to make sure that your pet has access to fresh, cool water, but even more so on hotter days. You can also add ice cubes to their water bowls to help keep the water cold.

For smaller animals, such as rabbits, guinea-pigs and rats, placing a bottle of frozen water in their hutch / run / cage can help to keep the temperature of the air down. Guinea-pigs are unable to sweat, making it very important that you keep a cool atmosphere. Investing in a fan that you can attach to the cage to circulate air will also help.

You should not stop exercise altogether, but reducing it to a simple walk can help to keep your pet cool. When going for a walk with your dog, always ensure that you take a bowl and a bottle of water. You can buy travel bowls from pet stores that fold flat, are light and easy to carry.

Avoid going outside during the hours of 11am and 3pm as this is when the sun is at its highest making the temperature of the air the hottest. If you do go out during these times make sure that you stick to the shade. You can also buy certain products to help protect your pet in the sun:

*Sun Cream - animals can burn just like humans. You can put sun cream on their nose and ears to stop them from burning. This is especially important in animals with a pink skin.

*Clothes - putting a t-shirt on an animal that has less fur, for example, a hairless breed or a pet suffering from alopecia can protect them from becoming sun-burnt and too hot.

*Shades - you can buy sunglasses that are especially designed for animals. They will protect their eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun.

The most important thing to remember to keep your pet safe in the heat though, is not to leave them trapped without circulating air or water. The highest cause of death amongst dogs during the summer is being left in a car. If you see a dog in a car without a window open or water contact your local animal charity such as RSPCA in the UK or ASPCA in the USA.

Learn more about this author, Charlotte Howard.
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