Dog days

Moses Lake vet offers tips for keeping pets safe in the heat

MOSES LAKE — Summer is a time of fun in the sun, but for pets it can be very different as the heat can be hazardous to their health. It is important during this time to take responsibility for our furry friends. Dr. Dick Maier of Pioneer Veterinary Clinic has some advice for pet owners to ensure that their pets are able to stay cool during the hotter days of the summer. First, it is important to make sure that pets have plenty of water and shade, especially when they are exclusively outdoor animals, he said. “If they don’t mind getting wet and they’ve got space for a kiddie pool that’s always good,” he said. “They can get in and cool down.” There are certain breeds of dogs that should not be out in the heat for long, particularly the “smush face” breeds like Frenchies and bulldogs who are not genetically built like most other dogs and have a hard time breathing, Maier said.