Summertime is the most popular time of year for traveling and outdoor activities. While our pets often enjoy these activities as much as we do, it is important to keep in mind some special concerns for pets during the warm weather.

Most people are familiar with the danger of leaving a pet in the car on a hot day, but many don't realize how hot is too hot. For example, on an 85 degree day the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes, and 120 or more within 20 minutes. A good rule of thumb is if it is too hot for you to sit comfortably in a parked car, it is too hot for your pets. Heatstroke can also be a problem for dogs outside, either without adequate shade and water or those who are active. Signs of heatstroke include excessive panting and drooling, listlessness, muscle tremors, vomiting and diarrhea. Heatstroke can be deadly, so any pet that is suspected to be overheated should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Overheated pets can be given a cool bath if it will take a while to get them to the veterinarian, but cooling a pet with heatstroke can actually be as dangerous as the heatstroke itself. For outdoor activities, it is best to avoid the hottest part of the day from 11 AM to 4PM.

Another danger to pets is drowning. Pets should never be left unsupervised around pools, lakes or ponds, and they should be watched closely when taking them for rides on boats to ensure they don't jump or fall overboard. You may want to consider placing a life preserver on pets that spend a lot of time around water. Life preservers specially designed for dogs are available at many pet stores.

Warm weather also heralds the arrival of flea and tick season. In addition to causing itching and other skin problems, these parasites can also transmit life threatening diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The fleas and ticks are going to be especially bad this year because of all of the rain we have had over the past couple of months. Another risk is heartworm disease, which is spread by mosquitoes. Even though some flea and tick products can help repel mosquitoes, they are not enough to protect pets from heartworms. Both oral and injectable heartworm preventions are available, so check with your veterinarian to find which would be best for your pet. There are also several safe and very effective flea and tick treatments available.

All of the rain we have recently has also caused a lot of mushrooms to start growing. While some mushrooms are edible, many of them can be extremely toxic, so pets should never be allowed to consume them. If you suspect your pet has eaten a mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately.