With summer on the horizon and temperatures on the rise, weather conditions can become potentially hazardous for pets. In an effort to help increase awareness about the importance of summer safety, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, created a summer safety guide with valuable tips and best practices for protecting pets during the warm summer months.

“As pet parents, it’s our responsibility to protect our animals from summer threats including exposure to extreme heat,” said NAPPS president Yvette Gonzales. “Pet parents tend to forget that the sun isn’t the only thing they have to worry about. There are a lot of other risks that pets face during the summer months.”

NAPPS urges pet parents to also consider these additional tips to help keep pets safe and cool under the summer’s sun:

• Avoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day. If you’re unable to walk your dog when it’s cooler outside, hire a professional pet sitter.

• Apply sunscreen made specifically for pets to light skinned and light-furred dogs. Although their fur helps provide protection, areas around their mouth, ears and belly remain susceptible to sunburn.

• Don’t rely on a dog house to shield your pup from the sun. A dog house can be just as dangerous as a hot car. Make sure dog houses are in the shade and have proper ventilation.

• Make sure you use pet safe products in your yard. For example, azaleas, lilies and certain plant food can be fatal to pets.

• Keep grilling supplies out of your pet’s reach. Dogs love hanging out by the grill and they might mistake something like charcoal briquettes for food and become sick. Keep an eye on your grill and what’s or who is around it.

• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car – even if it’s just for a few minutes. Cars can heat up quickly and can cause heatstroke and hyperthermia, which can result in death.

About NAPPS:

NAPPS is the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as “the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. NAPPS recently launched a membership designed with the pet parent in mind—the NAPPS Pet Parent Membership is the ultimate resource for pet lovers; offering guides, education opportunities, networking, and exclusive discounts and deals to help pet parents care for their animal companions. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS’ nationwide “Pet Sitter Locator” at www.petsitters.org.  For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.