Pet Party Line is a column written by Beth Byrd and is featured weekly in The Citizen News, one of our local newspapers.

Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Heat of Summer

May is National Pet Month. To keep our pets safe this summer, follow these guidelines:

• NEVER leave your pet in a parked car - even with the windows cracked. Temperatures in cars can reach 120 degrees on hot days.


• The best time to exercise with your pet is before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Pavement can get hot and burn your pet’s paws.


• Provide shade and plenty of water for your pet. Ice cubes are an easy way to keep water bowls cool.


• Keep in mind that now is the time that people fertilize their yards and plant things. Make sure your pet doesn’t ingest harmful plants or toxins.


• Pets with light-colored noses and skin can get sunburned. You can put sun block on their noses and ears.


• Long-haired animals may look like they are suffering, but the long coat actually helps to protect them from the summer’s heat and insects. (My doggie seems happier and more comfortable with his “summer hair cut”.) Check with your vet and/or groomer if you have questions.


• Keep an eye on very young and older pets and pets with a history of heat stress and short nosed breeds. Overweight pets and animals with cardiovascular or respiratory problems are more susceptible to the heat.

Pet Trivia

At 343 pounds, and 8'3" from nose to tail, an English Mastiff named Zorba is recorded as the world’s largest dog.