TYLER — Warmer weather means activities outside, a popular one is walking your dog. But with record high heat, exercising outdoors with fido could be deadly. The East Texas Humane Society says dogs are just as sensitive as humans to heat caused by the sun and they too can suffer of heat related illness such as heat stroke.
Here are some tips to keep your dog cool while walking them this summer:
Always walk your dog in the shade, or in an area with grass. Concrete pavement and asphalt absorb heat and are extremely hot on your dog's paws.
Periodically check your dog's padding and in between their toes for any fleas, ticks, cuts, scrapes, or broken pieces of glass. Also, keep your dog's toe nails trimmed.
Never leave the house without extra water for your pet, in addition to yourself.
Don't let your dog's panting get out of hand, this is how dog's sweat and release heat from their bodies, if out of control, the dog maybe suffering from heat exhaustion.
Try to walk your dog outside before or after the time frame from 12 noon to 5 p.m. because that's when it's the coolest outside during the summertime.
Remember most small dogs get enough exercise playing in the house and large dogs only need a few walks a day.
Jessica Wilson/ KETKnbc.com