Did you know ... That cats and dogs can suffer from the same problems that humans do?

As temperatures rise above 40 degrees this summer, it's timely to remember that cats and dogs can suffer from the same problems that humans do, such as:

• overheating
• dehydration
• and even sunburn.

Summer is a time for you, your clients and pets to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger pets. By taking precautions, you and your clients can decrease the chance that disaster will happen. Below are some simple precautions to keep pets happy and healthy.

1. A visit to the veterinarian for a summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.


2. Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle – hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.


3. Always carry a thermos filled with cold, fresh water when travelling with your pet.


4. The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.


5. When the temperature is very high, don't leave your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.


6. Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.


7. Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and Shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.


8. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.


9. Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length – never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun – helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.


10. Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labelled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhoea, excessive thirst and lethargy.


11. Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets' reach. And be careful with leftovers – onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and cats, so pot leftover rissoles in the fridge not your pet's bowl.


12. Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.