Just as you try to keep yourself cool on sunny summer days, you should make sure your pets are comfortable, too.

Many of the same summer rules for humans apply to our furry friends as well: Don’t exercise when it’s too hot outside, drink plenty of water, avoid overexposure to the sun, and find a shady outdoor spot or move indoors to enjoy the air conditioning when the temperature spikes.

Here are some tips that will keep your pets happy and healthy this summer:

Do not leave your pet in a parked car, even for a couple of minutes.  An 85 F day can heat up the interior of a car to 120 or 130 F in less than 30 minutes. That kind of heat can quickly kill a pet. 

Pack plenty of cool water for your pet before heading to the beach or out for any day-long trip.  A dog can drink up to three times its normal amount of water on a hot day.

Pets suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke just like humans.  Don’t exercise your animal when            it’s really hot.

Keep old, overweight and sick dogs, and those with snub noses, like pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos or Pekingese,  indoors in the air conditioning as much as possible.

Bring outdoor pets inside if it is air conditioned during the worst heat of the day.   Make sure they have ready access to shade and cool water when they’re outside.

Groom animals more often during summer.  Cut long hair to within no less than an inch of the skin so your pet will be cool but still have protection from the sun.