Groom pets for summer

Puppies with too much fur should be well groomed during summer time. Furry dog breeds should be well clipped during this season as the thick coat makes them feel hotter. It also makes it a home for bacteria and parasites.

Keep their bed cool: Remove cushiony bedding from your dog's crate or bed. They may be more comfortable lying on the cooler bottom rather than on blankets or fleece. Exercise: Save exercise sessions for early morning or after the sun goes down. Your dog will appreciate the cooler temperatures—and so will you! Check the ground during walks. Blacktop can get scorching hot for your dog's pads.

Touch the surface yourself—if it's too hot for you, it's probably too hot for your dog as well. Think inside the house: Keep your dog indoors when you go out for more than an hour. If possible, restrict them to rooms with either air conditioning or a fan.

Put a lid on it: This is that time of the year when dogs are tempted to drink cold water from toilet bowls. So keep the lid down and try to avoid chemical cleaners and fresheners that stay in the bowl. Give your dog space: Dogs, like people, can get grumpy when it's hot. Remind young children that their hugs may not be appreciated on stifling days.

Hose them down: Try a gentle spray of cool water. Keep in mind that it may take you a few tries before your pooch enjoys the experience. If it goes according to plan, he'll feel happy and refreshed once he's all nice and wet.

Watch out for symptoms of heat stress or stroke: If you see that your dog is panting heavily, salivating or foaming, these may be the first signs of a heat-related problem. The hallmark of heat-stroke is severe central nervous system (brain) disturbance and is often associated with multi-organ dysfunction. Get your dog to a cool location, provide small drinks of cold water, and, if he doesn't improve within a few minutes, contact your veterinarian.

Dogs may spend more energy in an effort to lower the body temperature during periods of increased panting. The energy requirement increases with the rise in temperatures and therefore, it is important that they eat more during summer and if, their intake has reduced then they should be compensated by feeding energy dense or nutritional balanced pet food.