Summer's Hot Dogs!

A must read for all pet owners as the hot summers months are upon us.

'Just as there are safety precautions to ensure warm-weather safety for humans, there are precautions to make sure pets stay safe and happy. When it's hot for you, it is probably even hotter for your pet — especially if it has a dark coat, a short muzzle (breeds such as bulldogs and pugs), is in its elder years, or has a tendency to overexert itself.'

Let your pet enjoy the outdoors in summer with these tips:

* Adjust their exercise routine by taking them out for playtime in the early morning and evening hours.
* Be cautious when walking your dog on pavement (which can get very hot and may burn your pet's paws) and at the beach.
* Provide your pet with plenty of water.
* Try a simple keep-cool tactic such as soaking a bandanna in water and putting it in the freezer before you put it on your dog to wear on a walk.
* Make sure your pet has plenty of access to a shady area to rest when outdoors.

And most important, be sure never to leave your pet unsupervised in a car, even on a mild day a car can heat up quickly and your pet could suffer heatstroke.

Read the entire article for more information on how to keep your pet safe and warning signs of heat distress to watch for on the MSN web site and have a safe summer!