When Lowcountry temperatures near the triple digits, humans aren’t the only ones feeling the heat. Scroll on for tips from Holy City Canine for keeping your dog safe and cool this summer.

Holy City Canine is South Carolina’s Expert in Personalized Training for Your Dog and Your Entire Family. Visit holycitycanine.com or call (843) 900-4001.

	Apply Sunscreen That’s right, you should apply sunscreen on your pet if he or she spends more than just a few minutes outside every day in the hot summer sun. Pets with light skin and short or thin hair coat are particularly prone to sunburn or skin cancer. The sunscreen should be fragrance-free, non-staining and contain UVA and UVB barriers similar to sunscreens made for humans. Consult your veterinarian, but there are sunscreens made specifically for pets.
	Provide Plenty of Water, Plenty of Shade Dehydration in dogs and cats is a real possibility during the summer, especially if your pet is the type to run and play outside for extended periods without drinking sufficient water. Telltale signs of dehydration include dry gums, loss of skin elasticity, excessive drooling. Don’t let it come to this. Give your active pet plenty of playtime breaks in the shade with access to fresh water.
	Don’t Leave ‘Fluffy’ in the Car You may think leaving your pet in a car for a few minutes is no big deal, but it can quickly lead to heat stroke in dogs and cats. In bright sunshine, your car acts like an oven, becoming much hotter inside than the outside air even. In fact, on a sunny 70-degree day, your car can heat up to over 100 degrees within minutes. So, either take your pet with you or leave him or her at home during shopping trips.
	Watch for Unknown Grassy Knolls Pets love to run, play and just investigate grassy areas. But did you know many lawns are treated with fertilizers and pesticides during the summer? Keep your pet safe this summer by keeping them off unknown grassy areas or find a safe spot in your neighborhood or city, like a dog park. Remember, not all grass is created equal.
	Avoid the Peak Sun Hours During the Day Pets are smarter than we give them credit for, and prefer staying at home and lying on cool surfaces (like your tiled kitchen floor) in the heat of the day, says Douglas Aspros, DVM and President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Save your outdoor time with your pet for early in the morning or in the evening once the sun has set. By taking your daily walk, run, or visit to the park either before or after the sun is at its hottest, your pet will be less likely to overheat and the ground will be cooler on the pads of their paws.
	Drowning Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are natural-born swimmers, so drowning is definitely a concern when your dog is around pools, rivers and lakes, explains Dr. Kelly Ryan, DVM, director of veterinary services at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Medical Center of Mid-America. “Until you know your dog is a good swimmer, it is best that your dog wears a life jacket,” Dr. Ryan says. Choosing the right life jacket for dogs is important. You will want to make sure that it allows your pup to move around freely, but is snug enough that your dog can’t slip out of it while in the water. Dr. Ryan advises, “Be sure to choose one with a handle in case you need to grab or hold onto your dog, and get one with a ring to attach a leash.”
	Hot Asphalt Ever tried walking barefoot on the street on a hot summer day? The experience can be just as uncomfortable for your dog as it would be for you. “Hot surfaces can seriously burn and injure your dog’s paw pads,” says Dr. Bank. “In severe cases, dogs can suffer from second- or third-degree burns.” The best way to prevent injury to your dog’s paws is to avoid walking your dog at peak sun hours. Try to stick to cooler surfaces like grass and dirt.