The dog days of summer are not necessarily good for dogs. While the summer months are enjoyable for pets and humans alike, they can also prove dangerous for pets if they are not monitored.

This summer make preparations for pets, either indoors or out, to prevent heat stroke, insects, diseases and skin cancer.

Dogs do not sweat much but instead use panting to exchange heat. Through their mouths and noses they release heat, which is why some dogs have more trouble than humans cooling down.

Dr. Frances Kendrick, of Valley Creek Animal Hospital, said dogs with smaller snouts are more prone to heat stress. These dogs have “pushed in” faces. Dogs such as pugs, Shih Tzu’s and some terriers have narrowed nostrils and thus make it more difficult to cool down on a hot day.

If a dog begins to salivate uncontrollably, pant heavily, become nervous or pass out then immediate action should be taken. Local veterinarians suggest pouring cool water on the dog, hosing them down and fanning them. Once you have initially cooled them down, take them to an animal hospital for IV fluids and medication. This will keep them from going into shock.

“We see heat stroke every year,” Kendrick said. “We even have an ice machine in the office to cool down dogs that come in.”

Doctors suggest putting some ice cubes in the dog’s water bowl each day to keep it cool. Make sure outdoor dogs have plenty of shade for the hottest parts of the day. Children’s wading pools are also a great feature for pets in the backyard for splashing and cooling.

“Dogs need shade, food and water,” Dr. Lee Youngblood, of Northside Animal Hospital said. “Just remember that their needs are pretty much the same as people’s needs.”

Youngblood also suggests giving dogs a good trim for the summer to prevent overheating.

“Hair is really pretty on dogs, but it holds in a lot of heat too,” Youngblood said. “Have your dog shaved down real close for the summer. Your dog will appreciate it even if you don’t like the way it looks.”

Though dogs can stay safe with preventative measures in the backyard, there is no reason to ever leave one inside an automobile, even with the windows cracked. Kendrick said that within two minutes a car’s interior can swelter to temperatures hot enough to kill a dog.

“Ninety-five percent of the animals we are unable to save from heat stroke were left in a car,” Kendrick said.

In addition to heat safety, remember to give dogs preventative insect treatment. Fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can be worse in the summer months and mosquitoes carry heartworms.

And dogs, being man’s best friends, share something in common — they can sunburn. In fact, Kendrick said they can sunburn so badly that she has seen dogs develop skin cancer.

Buy sunscreen for your pet if they have no pigment in their skin, especially if they have light colored ear tips and pink noses. These are the most vulnerable areas for a burn.