Keeping Your Pets Safe in the Summer

Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor Imagine it's 90 degrees...and you're wearing a fur coat. Just thinking about it makes me sweat (TMI?). It's so important to keep your pets safe and cool in the summer because they suffer from imposing summertime heat just as much as we do—and often, more so. Read on for simple ways to keep your pet comfortable—and safe—as the mercury rises. Summer Safety for Dogs Everyone knows that dogs love to spend time outdoors, especially with their humans—that's why dog owners have to be especially conscientious of their dogs' safety in warm weather. Dogs are susceptible to many warm weather ailments—from sunburns, to heatstroke, to dehydration—so pay attention to your dogs' behaviors when you're playing in the park on a scorching July day; heavy panting, excessive drooling or unresponsiveness can be signs of serious complications. If you're taking your pooch on lots of hikes, walks or for play dates in the park, be on the lookout for ticks, too. Fourth of July Safety Tips for Dogs How Hot is Too Hot for My Dog? Keeping Your Dog Safe During Water Activities Summer Safety for Cats Whether you have an indoor or an outdoor cat, it's important to keep them cool and comfy in hot weather. Make sure your kitties have plenty of fresh water and a shady, cool spot for lounging, in order to prevent heatstroke. (The signs of heatstroke in cats include panting, anxiety, increased heartbeat and lethargy.) Less severe—but certainly ickier—summer ailments like fleas and excessive hairballs can make your cat really miserable, so read up on proper prevention and treatments to keep her comfortable through the season. Why You Need to Groom Your Cat in the Summer Keep Up Your Cat's Nutrition in Warm Weather Fun, Indoor Activities for Cats Summer Safety for Horses Summer seems the perfect time to ride and work with your horse under clear skies, but hot weather can be a challenge for many horses—they're better equipped to deal with cold weather. Keeping your horse cool, controlling annoying pests and ensuring your stable has proper ventilation can keep your horse comfortable and healthy through the hot summer months. Preventing "Summer Itch" in Horses Why Horses Lose Weight in the Summer Protecting Your Horse from Sunburns Related Searches Summer Pet Safety Pets in Hot Weather Keeping Pets Safe in Summer Featured Articles Follow Us on Pinterest! 15 Patriotic Jewelry Projects for the Fourth 5 Stars Who Live in Surprisingly Small Homes DIY: Build a Patio Table with a Built-In Cooler 6 Ways to Decorate a Small Space 11 Little Cleaning Jobs with Big Impact   More from About.com Sign up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, with headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Click here to sign up! It's free (of course) and we think you'll like it! Want More From About.com? Check out our social channels tailored to every interest! Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Healthy Eating newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com