Pet-care tips for hot weather

With temperatures in the Salt Lake Valley reaching summer levels, the Humane Society of Utah is reminding all pet owners that their furry friends will be feeling fried, too — maybe even worse than people. Pets can't take off their fur coats and exchange them for a nice tank top and a pair of shorts.

• Never take your dog riding with you and leave him in a parked car while you run an errand. When the temperature outside is only 78 degrees, the interior of a car will reach 110 in 25 minutes, even in the shade and with the windows partially open.

• Make sure a pet has fresh, clean, cool water available at all times, whether he's indoors or out.

• If the animal is outside during the day, make sure he has a comfortable, well-ventilated, well-shaded place to rest.

• Don't take a pet for a walk or try to exercise him during the heat of the day; start early in the morning or wait until evening.

"Heatstroke can develop rapidly in animals, and permanent damage — and death — can be the result," said Baierschmidt. He added that puppies and kittens and older animals, animals recently moved from cooler climates, breeds with short or pushed-in noses (like pug dogs and Persian cats), pets who have been clipped recently, easily excited pets, and animals with a prior history of heat-related stress are most vulnerable to heatstroke.

For more information call the Humane Society at 261-2919.