by Megan Kingsley

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: September 18, 2009

During warm weather, it's important to make sure you are prepared to keep your pets cool. It only takes a bit of effort to make sure your dogs are safe and to prevent heatstroke or other heat-related complications.

Maintain Your Pet's Coat

Your pet's coat helps keep him warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. A clean coat free of matting can act as an effective insulator against the sun's rays and summer heat. Keep your dog or cat's coat combed through and mat free, and don't fall prey to the common belief that all long-haired pets should be shaved for the summer. That's just not true. Shaved coats are prone to matting, and sunburn is a very real threat. If you must clip your animal's coat, try to keep it at least 1" in length to reduce these risks. Keep your pet's nails short, and trim the hair on the bottom of the feet level with the pads to aid cooling through the pads of the feet.

Carefully Monitor your Dog's Activity

Keep a close eye on any pet when the mercury rises. Know the normal behavior of your dog, and be alert for signs of distress. Make sure your animal is not becoming too excited or tired to remain safe in the heat. Dogs will often play or work to the point of death in hot weather, so it's up to you to keep your furry friend safe. Don't put your pet out in the yard and forget about him for the afternoon- go out with him or check on him frequently. Supervise children around your pet as well. They often don't realize that playing fetch with Rover on a hot day may be dangerous.

It's a good idea to bring dogs into a climate-controlled area when the mercury rises, so plan on keeping your pets indoors much of the time. If, for whatever reason, your animals must remain outdoors, take the extra effort to provide the safest possible area for them. Shade is essential, so check that your yard or kennel area offers shade at all times of the day. If it doesn't, erect a canopy to shelter your pet. Be sure your dog isn't forced to sit or lie on hot pavement; an indoor area out of the sun or dirt will be much cooler. Constant access to fresh water is essential; make sure your furry friend's water supply can't be spilled or soiled. Moving air can also lower temperatures greatly, so consider a fan or even a swamp cooler to increase your pet's comfort.

Exercise Your Dog Carefully

Even though you may still walk several miles every day when the temperature climbs, the same should not be said of your pet. Hot pavement can severely burn your animal's feet, and

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