Crowded airports, beach bods and higher than normal electric bills can only mean one thing.  It’s summertime.  Yes, it’s that time of the year when many of us will spend more time baking in the sun and for pet parents, it means enjoying more time outdoors with our fur babies.

The issue with summer is the unbearable heat.  It’s no secret that global warming is affecting our pets in numerous ways.  Add to the fact that last year we had record temperatures across the globe.  There was definitely an uptick in heat stroke and heat related deaths among dogs.  Because of that, it’s more important than ever to keep your dog cool this summer.

Here are some tips on how to do that.

• Do not leave your dog in a car alone.  There were many incidences last summer when dogs were left in vehicles and died as a result of the boiling temperatures.  Think about this, on a day that is 70 degrees out, the temperature in a vehicle with the windows rolled up can reach 120 degrees in 20 minutes and it can reach 150 degrees in 40 minutes.

• Watch the asphalt.   We’ve seen many instances where people took their dog for a walk on a hot summer day, only to return home and wonder why their poor pooch has blistered/bleeding paws.  The pads underneath your pups paws are very sensitive, in fact they are as sensitive as our own feet.  So if it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s too hot for your fur baby.

• Go out during cooler times.  Vitamin D is good for us, but the heat can wreck havoc on your canine.  What you want to do is take your daily walks before or after the sun’s peak time (basically earlier in the morning or in the evening).

• Have shade and stay hydrated.  If your dog is outside, it’s important to have a cool area for them that is shaded from the sun.  And of course, keep fresh water both inside and outside.

• Panting is how your dog cools itself down.  However, if you have a dog with heart disease, you know how bad the heat is for them.  I admit that I used to freak out when I would see Angelo panting (especially last summer), but a quick way to cool down your pup is to take an ice cube and run it along their neck and chest.  This isn’t a substitute for water, but I’ve found it to work very fast, not to mention your fur baby has tons of fun licking off the excess liquid (from the ice cube) from their neck and chest.

Do you have any other tips on keeping your pups cool during the summer?  Comment below and don’t forget to share!