Hot Weather Safety Tips For Pets: Suffolk SPCA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — We're in the middle of the dog days of summer. With Long Island experiencing a heatwave, it's important that pet owners keep their dogs, cats, and other companions safe.

As the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory, the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has doled out tips on how to keep pets cool during the hot summer.

"Dogs and cats can suffer from the same problems that humans do in hot weather," the SPCA wrote. "These health concerns include overheating, dehydration and even sunburn. By taking some simple precautions, you can keep your companions healthy and happy in higher temperatures."

The Suffolk SPCA issued the following tips:

• Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace.
• Limit exercise. Your pet may slow down when the weather heats up, so the best time for exercise is in the early morning or evening, but never when it's especially hot or humid.
• Take care not to let your dog stand on hot asphalt, his/her body can heat up quickly and his/her sensitive paw pads can easily burn.
• Never trim your pet's coat to the skin, which can rob your dog of his/her protection from the sun.
• Always provide plenty of shade and cool, clean water for animals when outdoors.
• Bring your cat or dog inside during the hottest part of the day.
• Make sure your pet always wears a collar and identification tag.
• In Suffolk County, tethering a dog outside in temperatures over 90 degrees is against the law.

"Animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Suffolk County," the Suffolk SPCA wrote. "If you witness any incident of animal cruelty or neglect in Suffolk County, please contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722."