It’s Art Fair time again here in Ann Arbor and, like every year, this week the weather is always extreme. Meteorologists are predicting a massive heat wave to hit the midwest, forming an interesting weather pattern called a “Ring of Fire”. Check out the radar on MLive here. Temperatures will soar into the 90’s maybe even reaching 100 by the end of this week. Art fair on Friday, anyone?

Just like you, your pets can suffer in this sort of extreme heat— even more so given the fur they have to deal with. There are a few ways to keep them safe and healthy in this sort of weather.

• Keeping them indoors in the air conditioning is one easy solution.
• When your pets needs to go outside, make sure they have plenty of shade and access to unlimited amounts of cool, clean water.
• Exercise your pet when the weather is coolest, usually morning and evening.
• When walking your pet, avoid hot surfaces like asphalt or concrete.
• Consider giving your pet a haircut to get rid of bulky hot hair.
• Learn to recognize the signs of heat stress and stroke!
• Never ever, ever, EVER leave your pet in a car during the summer (check out the video below).

The American Veterinary Medical Association lists the following symptoms as signs of heat stress:

Seek emergency veterinary care if you observe any of these signs:

• Anxiousness
• Excessive panting
• Restlessness
• Excessive drooling
• Unsteadiness
• Abnormal gum and tongue color
• Collapse