Summer Safety Tips for Pets
The following is a combination of two articles about summer safety for pets.
The information is from Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM at About.com, and the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Hot weather can make us all uncomfortable, and it poses special risks for your dog.
Keep the following safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises, and follow our tips to keep your dog cool.

Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Doghouses are not good shelter
during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child's wading pool with fresh water
for your dog to cool off in.

Most people are aware that leaving a pet in a locked car on a 100F degree day would be dangerous.
However, it is the seemingly mild days of spring (and fall) that pose great danger, too. Driving around, parking, and
leaving your pet in the car for "just a minute" can be deadly. Cars heat up fast -- even with the windows cracked.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees
in a matter of minutes.
(Note: if you see pets or children in cars on warm days, please take action and
call the police or fire department - time is critical.)

Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.

Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws.

Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, Pugs, and Pekingese,
have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs.
Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning.

Exercise
Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or evenings, when the sun's heat is
less intense.  Jogging is especially dangerous this time of year. So your dog jogs everyday with you and is in
excellent shape - why alter the routine? As the weather warms, humans alter the type and
amount of clothing worn, and we sweat more. Dogs are still jogging in their winter coat (or a slightly lighter version)
and can only cool themselves by panting and a small amount of sweating through the foot pads. Not enough!
Many dogs, especially the 'athletes' will keep running, no matter what, to stay up with their owner.
Change the routine to early morning or late evening to prevent heat stroke.

Outdoor Housing
Consider your pet's housing. If they are kept outdoors, do they have shade and fresh water access at all times?
 Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, has treated a case of heat stroke in a dog that did indeed have shade and water while
tethered under a deck, but had gotten the chain stuck around a stake in the middle
of the yard -- no water or shade for hours. If you live in a warm climate, it is a good idea to hose
down the dog before work, at lunch or whenever you can to provide extra cooling
(if your dog is not over heated in the first place).

General Health
Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay outdoors longer
and come into contact with other animals more during the summer months.

Keep dogs off of lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for 24 hours (or according to
package instructions), and away from potentially toxic plants and flowers.

Keep your dog well-brushed and clean.

Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitos which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months.
Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to keep these parasites off your dog. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan
can help with the cost of providing quality healthcare, including preventive medicine, throughout your dog's life.

Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water.

Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn.
Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.

Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish.

Running on the sand is strenuous exercise.
A dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's activity.

Do not let your dog drink seawater; the salt will make him sick.

Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog's coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day.

Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out.

Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water.
Be conscious of your dog's preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.

If you're swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and
coax him in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats.
Or, let him follow another experienced dog he is friendly with.

Never throw your dog into the water.

If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float.
He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.

Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly.

If swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides.

If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are located. Be sure that
pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown.

Never leave your dog unattended in water.

Antifreeze
Ethylene Glycol antifreeze is actually a year-round hazard. With the warmer temperatures of summer, cars over heat
and may leak antifreeze. (This is the bright green liquid found oozing from that car with the engine fan on.)
Also, people change their antifreeze and may spill or leave unused antifreeze out where pets can access it.
Antifreeze tastes sweet and is inviting to pets (and children). It is also extremely toxic in very small amounts.
Call your Veterinarian (or Physician) immediately if any ingestion is suspected.
A safe alternative to Ethylene Glycol antifreeze is available, it is called propylene glycol, and while it does cost
a small amount more than 'regular' antifreeze, it is worth the piece of mind.

Travel
By Air: Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers caused by hot weather.
Some will only allow dogs to fly in the early morning or in the evening. Check with your airlines for specific rules.

If you do ship a dog, put icepacks or an ice blanket in the dog's crate. (Two-liter soft drink bottles filled with
water and frozen work well.)  Provide a container of fresh water, as well as a container of frozen water that will thaw
over the course of the trip.

By Car: Keep your dog cool in the car by putting icepacks in his crate. Make sure the crate is well ventilated.

Put a sunshade on your car windows.

Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot when you stop.
Keep a spray bottle filled with water to spritz on your dog to cool him down.

By RV: A dog's safety should not depend on the air conditioning and generator systems in an RV or motor home.
These devices can malfunction, with tragic results.

If you leave your dog in an RV with the generator running, check it often or have a neighbor monitor it.
Some manufacturers have devices that will notify you if the generator should malfunction.

Never leave an RV or motor home completely shut up, even if the generator and AC are running.
Crack a window or door or run the exhaust fan.

Never, ever leave a dog (or child) unattended in a vehicle in the summer months.
Heatstroke and death can occur within minutes in warm temperatures.

Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat.
Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), large heavy-coated breeds, and those dogs with heart or
respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.  Below are the signs of heatstroke
and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.
Signs of heat stroke include, but are not limited to:

Early Stages:

• Heavy/Excessive panting.
• Rapid breathing.
• Excessive drooling.
• Dark or bright red gums and tongue.
• Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
• Staggering.
• Stupor.

Advanced Stages:

• Body temperatures of 104-110F degrees
• White or blue gums.
• Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
• Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
• Bloody diarrhea and/or vomiting.
• Labored, noisy breathing.
• Seizures.
• Shock.
• Coma.
• Death.

The best thing to do if you suspect heat stroke in your pet is to seek Veterinary attention immediately!   
Until you can reach your veterinarian, try to immediately cool the dog down by using the following methods:  

• Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
• Apply ice packs (wrapped in a towel) to the groin area.
• Hose down with water.
• Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of  cool water.
• Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.

Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels
and impede cooling.)  Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees - some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold.
Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your Veterinarian.
Just because your animal is cooled and "appears" OK, do NOT assume everything is fine.
Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, brain, etc., are definitely affected by the body temperature elevation, and blood
tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this. There is also a complex blood problem,
called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heat stroke that can be fatal.