Walking out of my home at 4am to 72 degree, humid weather was a stark reminder that summer is pretty much here. Yes, the official start of summer is on June 20th, but with 90 degree days I'm sure we're all ready to get out and enjoy the sun.

However, if you're a dog owner there are a few things to look out for to make sure your pup stays safe during the hotter months.

The SPCA of SW Michigan recently shared a Facebook post outlining what to look out for and how to avoid summertime issues with your pet.

First, let's start with the 'top tips'...they may be common knowledge but it's always nice to have a reminder:

There are a few things you should always avoid when it comes to your dog and the summertime heat:

Now, with the introduction of newer, smarter cars you may be able to leave the car parked and running with the air conditioning going. However, there are still far too many cases of people leaving their animals in a parked, locked, hot car because they'll 'only be in the store for a minute'.

Earlier in my life I worked as a receptionist at a veterinarian's office in Florida. We only saw one dog for heat stroke but it was because they left this poor baby in the car. They had only been in the store for 10, maybe 15 minutes but that was all it took. Cars become much hotter much faster than any of us realize.

We can do our best to plan and prepare but what happens to a dog when they're overheated or experiencing a heat stroke? Here's what to look out for:

Those are among the few signs and symptoms to look out for. See the full list here.

As well, there are specific breeds that are more susceptible to heat stroke. If you have any of the following breeds, or dogs that fall under these categories, make sure to monitor them closely:

If you're anything like me the instinct to rescue an animal in a dangerous situation is...strong. However, laws regarding breaking windows to save a dog from overheating vary from state to state. Brush up on Michigan's laws, which prohibit you from breaking that window, below:

With the majority of cats residing indoors, the SPCA says you don't usually have to worry about them overheating in normal circumstances. After all, they never leave the house. If, however, you have an outdoor cat the SPCAsays that you can always provide a little outdoor shelter to offer a bit of shade.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

LOOK: The least obedient dog breeds

Visit link:
Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer: Tips from the SPCA of SW Michigan - wkfr.com