Summer is here, in full swing!  While enjoying the sunny weather and summer activities as so many people do, we need to be sure our animals are enjoying it, too, avoiding problems such as overheating, dehydration, insect bites, overexposure to the sun, and so forth.

The ASPCA offer tips to keep our animals healthy and happy during the summer season:

Animals must NEVER be left in a parked vehicle.  The temperatures can rise very quickly, and once hyperthermia sets in, it can be fatal to your pet!

When traveling with your animals, be sure to carry thermos bottles filled with  plenty of cold, fresh water.

Older and overweight animals are especially sensitive to overheating, so please keep them as cool as possible.

The best playtime for your pets is while it's still relatively cool in the early morning, or evening hours (though never after meals, or in humid weather).

Good grooming is important and helps keep your animals comfortable.  Regular, frequent brushing removes "dead" hair, especially from the undercoat.

Never use any insect repellent or sunscreen on your pets unless it is specifically labeled for use on animals!  If in doubt, of course, check with the veterinarian first!

Keep your animals away from areas that may have been sprayed with toxic chemicals such as insecticides, and please be alert to automotive fluids which might be leaking from your vehicle or others. These chemicals can be highly poisonous to your pets!

When walking your animals during high summer temperatures, don't let them stand on hot pavement for very long - their body temperature can quickly rise, and their paw pads can receive burns.

To prevent accidents, the open windows in your home need to have snug, sturdy screens, wedged tightly in the window frames!   This an especially important safety precaution for your cats who, contrary to "popular legend", don't always easily survive falls!  Since many cats seem to have no fear of high places, and even enjoy them, this can put them at higher risk of falling -- especially if they notice another animal or a bird, etc., which can cause them to become distracted and lose their balance.  Or, they can easily fall asleep at the window, and accidentally push through an insecure screen.  Again, please be sure that your screening is strong and secure!