Ever wonder what breed of dog does best in the hot weather of our summer states or hot northern summers? You might be surprised; have a look here: http://www.breederretriever.com/sort/11/best-dog-breeds-for-warm-weather-climates.php
Never leave your pet alone in a car during the summer, early fall, or late spring.
Or anytime the temperatures are hot, for that matter. I was pretty surprised to go out and get into my very hot car with the windows up, that had only been sitting in the sun for about a half hour this beautiful April day! But the temperature was near 80° today and my car had turned into an over already! Heck, we’ve had it snow here in April. It had to
be way over 100° in there! After I got in, leaving the door open and rolling down all the windows, I noticed the temperature indicator still showed 112°, so it WAS hot in there!
So, it’s time to start thinking about it. Don’t take any chances leaving a pet in a car for even a few minutes. They don’t deserve that; it’s a cruel thing to do to them.
A car can quickly turn into an oven, even with the windows slightly open. A car in direct sun can heat up to 120 degrees or more in about fifteen minutes, even with a window opened part way. It’s just plain
dangerous to leave a pet in a car on a sunny day, even it it’s not a hot day; all that’s needed is sunlight! even if it’s covered by clouds! Water from a water heater is assumed to be capable of scalding skin at 140°, so if it can reach 120° in fifteen minutes, how much longer do you think it would be to reach 140°? Not long, I suspect.
A pet’s life can end quickly but not so quick as to prevent severe discomforts, in a car.
Make sure your pet always has access to cool, clean water, especially in the summer heat. If you take your pet to the beach, be sure to provide ample shade as well, and hose him down after he has swum in salt water. And don’t let him drink the salt water; it will likely be very upsetting to his system.
Never let your pet run loose without identification and without your supervision. It will reduce the chance of injuries and pet theft, not to
mention heat exhaustion from the running.
If you plan to take your pet on a long car trip, take him on several short trips to condition him for the journey and plan ahead so that he’s in tip-top health before you leave. Travel can be very stressful for a pet; try to eliminate as much of the stress as possible.
Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet. The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid. Be Street smarts: When the temperature is high, don’t leave your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and
sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum. A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean. Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house. Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather.
Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for
coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from any vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned. Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs
with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length—never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun—helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often. - Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen
products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems. To cool off an overheated dog, offer him plenty of water, then wet the dog's body and paws with cool water, then fan. A dog's normal internal
body temperature is between 100.5 degrees F and 102 degrees F. If the dog experiences heatstroke or heat exhaustion, he should receive veterinary attention as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage. Here’s one I experienced myself:
Prevent your dog from hanging his head out of a moving car or truck
window when taking him for a ride. Bugs, small pebbles and other debri can injure his eyes, and he is also at risk of jumping out of the vehicle. Also, and this was my own experience, closing automatic car windows while your dog is hanging his head out of the car window can cause him or her serious harm. No, I didn’t do that; the dog stepped on the window controls and closed it on himself!
I cracked the back passenger side window so he could stick his snout
out and feel the fresh air. In doing so he managed to also get his head out, and in the process stepped on the window control, closing it on his neck. Fortunately I heard him struggling and opened the window so he could dislodge himself. before he was injured. NOW I make sure only the driver can control the windows! A few more seconds, and, who knows ... ? If you haven’t yet, this is a good time to visit the vet for heartworm control and a general checkup. Ideally this should be done before the hot weather hits, especially with senior pets. Be sure there’s always shade around for you pet. Good, solid shade so they can avoid the direct sun. Know the Warning Signs
According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea
and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. Never leave pets alone around a pool. Some are not good swimmers and
even if they are, they may not know enough to go and use the stairs, exhausting themselves and drowning in the process of trying to climb out. A haircut, leaving the fur long enough to protect them from the sun, if sometimes a help with many dogs having long hair. Beware asphalt: It can burn a pet’s paws it gets so hot and your pet may
not know enough to try to get off it. Being so close to the ground, their bodies will heat up quickly, too. | 
