To avoid heatstroke altogether, it's very important to keep your pets cool during scorching summer days. Below, you'll find a few of the best ways to keep your pets cool as summer temps continue to rise!

Bring Them Inside: As much as they'll dislike it, limiting your pet's exposure to the outdoors is the best way to keep them cool. It's important to keep them inside between the hours of 11AM and 2PM, which is the the hottest period of the day. If your pet needs to go outside, be sure to give them access to plenty of shade.

Don't Leave Them in Cars: This is a no-brainer. Being left in a hot car is a common cause of heat-related fatalities in pets during the summer. Your vehicle can reach 108 degrees in around 10 minutes on a 90-degree day. Unless your pet can go wherever you're going, it's best to let them stay home. A hot car can become dangerous for your pet in mere minutes.

Give Them Plenty of Water: Pets need to stay hydrated, just like we do! Give your pets lots of drinking water in nice, clean bowls. They'll appreciate it more than you know.

Avoid Hot Pavement and Asphalt: Walking on hot pavement or asphalt can cause a great deal of damage to your pet's paws. When temperatures are above 70 degrees, the ground can heat up quickly. Before taking your pet on a walk, touch the palm of your hand to the pavement. If the pavement is too hot for your bare hand, it's too hot for your pet to walk on.

Groom Them Regularly: This is especially important for pets who grow thick coats and don't shed much. Your pet's coat does a great job of keeping them warm when it's cold, but it can make summer temps unbearably hot for them. Keeping your pet groomed to rid them of excess hair is a great way to ensure that your pet stays cool on hot days!