Summer Travel Precautions for Pets

If you decide to take your Pet with you when you travel this summer, please be sure to take the following precautions:

• Never leave your Pet in the car, even for short periods of time with the windows open. Though it may seem cool outside, the sun can raise the temperature inside your car to life-threatening levels in a matter of only minutes. Since dogs do not sweat from the skin surface, they can only regulate their body temperature by panting, which becomes ineffective in hot, stationary air.

• Make sure your Pet has access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Like people, Pets need to drink more in hot weather. A plastic swimming pool filled with a few inches of clean water is a great way to provide your Pet with fresh drinking water. It also provides a place for your Pet to cool down while outdoors.

• Avoid exercise during most intense heat of the day and keep walks to a reasonable pace and distance. Watch for signs of overexertion in your Pet, such as excessive panting, drooling, weakness or bright red gums. If you notice any of these signs, call or transport your Pet to your veterinarian immediately.

If your Pet has exposed skin or short hair, be sure to apply sunscreen before your Pet spends time outdoors. Ear tips and noses are the most prone to sunburn, especially on dogs with light-colored hair and skin. Just like you, Pets can get burned even on overcast summer days.