Plenty of fresh water to drink, shaded retreats, and limited activity in hot weather ensures your pet has a safer summer.

Pet owners sometimes assume that dogs and cats instinctively know how to protect themselves from the elements, and that they can detect hazards in food and water. Too many “Lassie” shows! The truth is that they often cannot, and must depend upon us to protect them.

Heat & Drinking Water

Enclosed places can experience rapid rises in internal air temperature, even under deceptively mild conditions. We must never leave our pets behind in our vehicles, even for a brief period of time. Wherever our pets are, we must provide them with enough ventilated air and shade to assure their bodies are able to keep cool. While outdoors, a child’s wading pool filled with water can provide a pet additional cool relief on a hot day.

Plenty of fresh drinking water should be available for your pet to keep him hydrated, which helps keep his body cool. Making fresh drinking water available will help prevent him from drinking pool, pond, and lake water, or other wet substances, in an effort to relieve his thirst. Swimming pools (and decorative ponds and fountains) are treated with chemicals that can be harmful when ingested by your pet, and therefore are not suitable substitutes for fresh drinking water. Automatic water dishes can be used to provide plenty of water for your pet while you are away.

Carry fresh drinking water for your pet when camping, hiking, boating, and fishing. Substances in ponds and lakes, especially those that are stagnant water sources, can be toxic when ingested.

When outdoors away from home, keep your pet leashed to assure he will not drink from toxic sources, and carry drinking water with you for your pet. Do not allow your pet to drink from unknown liquid substances because they could be toxic, such as sweet-tasting but lethal antifreeze. Do not allow your pet to eat anything other than his food or treats to prevent tummy upsets and illness.

Water Safety

Taking your pet along on a fishing trip or a day on the beach can be a lot of fun for both of you. A few precautions are in order, however.

Supervise your dog at all times-you are his protector. Keep him on a leash and out of the water if you cannot devote your attention to him while cooking out or driving the boat. Whether your dog is a retriever that loves the water by nature, or another breed less adept but just as eager, he can tire in water more rapidly than you might realize. Bring your dog out of the water for frequent rest breaks and he will recover nicely.

Consider buying a pet life vest to give your pet a bit of extra buoyancy, especially when boating. If he falls or jumps out of the boat, or tires earlier than expected in the pool, a life vest will help him float while you maneuver to recover him. Heavy dogs are difficult to lift out of the water, so be sure he knows where the steps are in the pool, and consider preparing an alternative way to safely recover him from the pool or the lake. Consider attaching a short length of buoyant ski rope you can grab to rescue him if he slips too far away.

When he is through playing in the water, thoroughly rinse his coat to remove traces of chemicals, saltwater, or parasites. Dry the inside of his ears thoroughly to avoid ear infections, and towel dry his coat.

Remember to provide your dog shelter from the sun whether on the boat, poolside, or at the beach, keep him leashed, and always collect and dispose his droppings in the appropriate receptacle.