By Kathy Camputaro

As the summer heats up, it’s important to remember that cats and dogs can suffer from the same problems that people do … such as overheating and dehydration. By taking some simple precautions, you can enjoy the summer and keep your companion animals safe and healthy.

First, never leave your cat or dog locked inside your vehicle while you shop, work or run errands. They can suffer from heat stroke. When it’s 85 degrees out, the temperature inside a vehicle, even with the windows left open, can soar to 102 degrees in just 10 minutes and reach 120 degrees in a half hour.

When the temperature is high, walk your dog in the early morning or early evening hours and keep playtime to a minimum. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house and always provide cool, fresh water. Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals.

On hot days, leave your dog at home while you go out for a run. Not only do their bodies heat up quickly, but hot asphalt can burn their pads.

When people get hot, they sweat. When animals get hot, they pant to cool down their overheated bodies. Signs of heat exhaustion include excessive panting, drooling, a bright red tongue, weakness, staggering, seizures, and eventual loss of consciousness.

If you suspect your companion animal is suffering from hyperthermia, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Kathy Camputaro is a Newtown resident and volunteer with The Animal Center, a Newtown-based animal welfare charity. For more information, contact The Animal Center at (203)2700-CAT or info@theanimalcenter.org.