Establish a veterinary-patient relationship and make sure your pet has annual checkups. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccines, especially rabies. Give your pet plenty of exercise. Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.

Place medications, cleaners, chemicals and laundry supplies out of reach. Keep trash cans covered or inside a latched cabinet. Place dangling wires from lamps, televisions, stereos and telephones out of reach.

Keep the toilet lid closed to prevent drowning or drinking of harmful cleaning chemicals. Move house plants that may be poisonous out of reach. Learn about foods to avoid that may be hazardous to your pet (e.g., chocolate, onions, raisins and grapes).

Watch the humidity. It’s not just the high temps that can affect your pet. If the humidity is too high they are unable to cool themselves and their temperature can skyrocket, leading to heat stroke, which can be deadly in dogs.

Limit exercise on hot days (i.e., quiet walk). Consider early morning or late at night as these are cooler parts of the day and will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog.

Watch for signs of dehydration. Dogs do not sweat like people, but instead cool off by panting and through their feet. Small kiddie pools are useful in helping to keep your dog cooled.

Cats sweat through their paws, not by panting, like dogs. Keeping your cat inside in an air conditioned room, in front of a circulating fan or on a cool floor can help.

Make sure to know your dog’s swimming ability. When your pet is cooling off in a pool or maybe you’re taking him or her on a boat, use a life jacket, if appropriate. While you may think your dog can do the doggie paddle, some dogs just can’t swim.