5 summer safety tips for dogs

Dogs love the summer. But when the temps soar, you should take steps to protect your pet. Whether you take your dog for a walk down the street, a ride in the car, or just out in the yard to play, the heat can be hard on your dogs. Here are some safety tips for your dogs:

1. Never and ever leave your dog in the car.

Never leave your dog inside your car in hot weather; even you open your window, it isn't enough to keep a car cool. Even if you are just leaving your car 5 minutes, in a hot car your pet's temperature can rise rapidly and they can overheat in a very short period of time. It only takes minutes to reach dangerous levels leading to heatstroke and even death.

2. Make sure your dog is protected from parasites like fleas and mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes and fleas are common in the summer, so you need to be careful about your dog's skin. If not protected, your dog is at risk for Lyme disease and dangerous conditions. Using a pet grooming comb to check your dog's hair and skin is very important.

3. Keep your dog's paws cool

When the sun is cooking, surfaces can get really hot! Try to keep your pet off of the hot surfaces; not only can it burn paws, but it can also increase body temperature and lead to overheating. You should also use the dog nail clipper trim the nails, and cleaning the hair on the paws, keep the paws cool, will help your dog feel cool.