by Lindsay Horvath

Created on: July 12, 2009   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Who doesn't love summertime? No matter where you live in the US, summer comes with longer days, warmer temperatures, and general feel-good attitude about life. Summer means vacations, swimming, barbecues and campfires. It means baseball games, trips to the zoo, and pit-stops for ice cream. It means more frequent walks, possibly a haircut, and a lot of panting.

Wait, what?

Yes, summer has a different meaning for your pets! Many dogs experience a lot more activity in the summertime. If there are children in the family, they are home from school and may spend more time playing outside. People are more likely to be doing activities that the family pooch is included in, such as trips to the park, hiking, camping, and more frequent walks around the neighborhood. For some cats, summer may mean more frequent chances to escape into the great outdoors (or even be willingly allowed!) In the summertime, there is no worrying about ice in your dog's paws from the snow, springtime mud tracked through the house, or bundling up to brave cold wins so your four-footed friend can relieve himself.

However, summer can also bring quite a few new dangers to pets (dogs in particular) that don't exist in the winter. High temperatures, swimming pools, and parasites all pose risks that are virtually non-existent in the cool months. But, with a little forethought and preparation, your pet will be able to enjoy his rightfully earned dog days of summer in a safe and happy manner. Listed below are some common safety pitfalls and how to avoid them.

HEAT. The higher temperatures may be uncomfortable to people, but they can be brutal or even fatal to pets. As a veterinary technician, the first hot days of the season always seemed to bring in several animals with heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when the pet's body becomes too hot to cool itself down naturally. Heatstroke can become quite serious but fortunately is one of the easiest summer risks to avoid. First of all, never ever leave your dog or cat in the car in hot temperatures for any length of time even with the windows cracked. The temperature can rise much too quickly. On hot days, make sure that your pet has a cool place to escape and plenty of fresh water available. If your dog is one with a heavy coat of hair, do him a favor and keep it clipped short in the hotter months, especially breeds that are intended to live in colder climates, such as Alaskan Malamutes or Huskies. And finally, as the mercury starts to rise, allow your pet

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