When your dogs are panting and sweating, it’s up to you to cool them down. If you take preventative steps before they get overheated, though, your furry friends will stay comfortable all summer long. Here are just a few veterinarian-recommended ways to keep pets cool during the hottest months of the year. 

How to Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer 

1. Leave Them at Home 

Your pets might love accompanying you on various errands, but if they’ll have to stay in the car at any point, it’s best to leave them at home. Enclosed motor vehicles are essentially greenhouses, and it doesn’t take long for their interior temperature to rise to a life-threatening level. If it’s 80 degrees outside, the interior of a vehicle can easily reach 130 degrees when parked in direct sunlight. 

2. Provide Plenty of Water 

Pets can dehydrate quickly in the heat. Some of the warning signs of dehydration in dogs include panting, lethargy, dry nose, and sunken eyes. To combat dehydration and all the complications that come with it, provide your pets with plenty of fresh water. Put out at least one bowl of water wherever they hang out, including in the house, in the yard, and on the lanai. 

3. Schedule Playtime for the Morning & Evening 

The hottest time of day is around 3 p.m., so avoid taking the pets out in the afternoon whenever possible. If your schedule allows, take them out in the mornings and evenings instead. Also, put booties on your pups before walking them on dark asphalt. If it’s hot enough to burn the soles of your feet, it’s hot enough to burn their paws. 

Pets in good health can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations much better than those who aren’t. To ensure your pets are as healthy as possible before summer, take them to a licensed veterinarian at Kokua Pet Clinic. Located in Honolulu, HI, this veterinary clinic has provided comprehensive care for Oahu’s furry friends since 2000. Whether you need to pick up some flea medicine or spay your new kitten, turn to them for unparalleled service. To make an appointment with a veterinarian on their team, call (808) 843-8382.