Sure, sure. Fido’s always been an outdoor pooch. We get it. But if the backyard feels like a sauna, maybe it’s time to loosen up and let the dog indoors for a while. You may need to re-think when you’re walking your dog, too. Limit exercise to early mornings or to evenings and you’ll avoid the hottest part of the day. Even so, on a hot, humid evening you probably don’t want to push your furry friend to run around a lot.
Remember, dogs and cats don’t sweat the same way humans do, so they can’t cool themselves as efficiently when it’s hot. Instead, these animals pant to cool down, but panting becomes less and less effective as the humidity rises. The solution? Keep your pets out of the heat and humidity as much as possible. Make sure they stay hydrated, and don’t encourage them to exercise more than they seem to want to — even if they usually love to play around.