How to Keep Pets Fresh and Healthy During the Summer

Even though summer provides opportunities to go outdoors and have fun, summer isn't easy on our furry friends. The heat is much more wearing on a cat or dog than it is on humans.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get rid of those funky summer smells. Animals track things in from outside or it could be seasonal shedding that is releasing the odor. Vacuum the areas where your pet likes to hang around.

2. Put shallow bowls of vinegar out of your pet's reach in the places that smell the mustiest. Wash all the bedding every couple of weeks. A quick fix is to sprinkle bedding with baking soda then shake it out after half an hour.

3. Place a rubber or plastic mat under the water and food bowls, especially for dogs because they drool more in the summer. Another trick is to spray non-stick cooking spray on your pet's bowls to diminish the smell from moist leftovers.

4. Go for walks with your pets in the morning or early evening to avoid the hottest part of the day and too hot pavement. Pets can also get sunburned. If your dog is panting and drooling more than usual, he may be overheated. Give your pets plenty of water and never apply sunscreen or bug spray, which can be harmful to animals.

5. Leave your pet at home in a cool area rather than take her with you to a place you'll have to leave her in the car. The inside of a car can heat up fast. Even a few minutes in a hot car can be fatally dangerous to an animal.