When temperatures are soaring and humidity in most places is high, you need to be extra careful about keeping your pets cool.

One of the worst heat-related tragedies is when people believe the old myth that long fur insulates a dog or cat and keeps them cool. This is true for a few seconds, but after a minute or so, the coat begins to hold in body heat. Imagine wearing a fur coat in the heat and you will get an idea of what it is like. Long-haired dogs and cats in warmer climates should be trimmed short. Even with air conditioning, these pets can get ridiculously hot.

Running or hiking is great exercise for dogs, and they love it. You should treat your dog the same way that you treat yourself. If you are wearing light clothes, keep your dog shaved. If you need to stop to take a drink, so does your dog. If you are feeling hot, your dog probably is also, so pour some water on his head and neck. (The best places to cool a dog down are on the neck, pads of the feet and belly.)

If your dog wants to slow down, assume that there is a reason and allow it. Keep a bottle of water with you for him. Dogs like to keep going and never stop, be sure that you give them a drink of water every now and again on a long walk and pour water on his coat. Remember you are the human, so you need to be the one to anticipate the dangers and not take a chance. If you become callous, the results can be tragic.

Smushed-faced dogs, such as bulldogs, should not exercise or be left out in hot weather. These dogs often have small tracheas and long soft palates, which decrease their ability to cool themselves.

Similarly flat-faced Persian cats tend to develop more allergies and breathing issues in summer because of their nose structure.

If you keep your dog muzzled, you must remove it during exercise or long walks because much of a dog’s ability to cool down is based on panting, so eliminating panting can have disastrous consequences.

Dogs left outside the house need shade and preferably a small wading pool filled with cool water. A big plastic tub will suffice. They need shade and air so you cannot just put them away in a room outside without air. Outdoor dogs enjoy the shade of a large tree, or dig into the cool earth in shaded areas with air blowing through. A simple wood roof on four legs will also provide adequate shade. Again, any structure that will cause a scratch or even a small injury to the dog is dangerous because a single fly sitting on an open wound can cause maggots within hours. A dog house must be built properly with ventilation; no nails or pieces of wood jutting out that can hurt your pet.

Finally, whether it is hot or cold, every pet should always have an adequate supply of fresh drinking water. Invest in a bottle and a plastic dish for walks and to keep in the car if your dog makes car trips with you. Never leave your pets in the car as cars can get really hot. Water dishes that you place around the house should preferably be earthenware, clean, refilled with fresh water few times a day.

For indoor pets, leave the fan on if there is no air conditioning especially for double-coat, or long-haired cats and dogs. Fleas tend to breed and grow in damp, humid conditions so it is always a good idea to get an anti-flea spray treatment done at the vets’ right at the beginning of summer to prevent flea action.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, July 13th, 2014