We haven’t officially hit the first day of summer yet and the temperatures outside are already scorching! Putting on sunscreen and drinking plenty of water are important for us during these hot days, but what about our pets? If you’re wondering what you can do for them to keep them safe and healthy in the heat keep reading.

1 – Make sure to offer your pet plenty of water throughout the day. If you’re going to be taking your pet outside or in the car bring water for them in a bottle that you can pour into a bowl when they need it.

2 – Be mindful of their paws! Pavement can get really hot during this time of year. If you’re going to take your pet for a walk try and do it on a grassy or shady area.

3 – Dogs can get much hotter much quicker than a human. They don’t have as many sweat glands as we do so they need chances to sit down in the shade and cool off.

4 – Never leave your dog in a car during the summer. Even with windows down, cars directly in the sun can heat up quickly. Leave your dog home while running errands if the temperatures are going to be too hot.

5 – Make sure to know the signs of overheating in a pet. If they are experiencing heavy panting, vomiting or wobbly legs they may be suffering from heat exhaustion. You can move them to a cool place, offer them water and even put a damp towel on them to cool them off.