Everyone knows it is too hot these days to keep your dog in the car while you run errands. There are other important steps to take to keep your dog safe from extreme heat this summer.

Giving your dog a "summer cut" might sound like a good idea, but consider this information first. Your dog's skin has never been exposed to direct sunlight and will burn quickly and badly with only a little exposure. The fur acts as a sun block and keeps the skin healthy. There is evidence that fur insulates the dog from the heat just as it does the cold, kind of like a thermos. Shaving a dog that is used to a heavier coat will throw off the body temperature regulators, which means your dog may not take much-needed breaks from activity and sun like he usually would. Your dog can overwork itself and risk serious heat-related illness.

When walking your dog, remember the ground may be quite a bit hotter than usual. You may not feel it through your footwear, but your dog's pads come in direct contact with that ground. Ouch! Your dog may refuse to walk or try lifting one paw up at a time. Most dogs' pads are pretty rugged and not all outdoor surfaces will get too hot for your dog. But remember your dog won't tell you its too hot in English.

Most importantly, just like people, dogs can suffer from heat stroke and/or heat exhaustion. Here are some of the warning signs:

As you can see, this is not something to take lightly! Drastic conditions can even be fatal to your dog. The precautions to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the same for both human and canine: keep cool and drink plenty of water. If your dog shows the signs above, take these steps immediately:

Other actions that can help:

For extra protection, consider having instant-cold packs on hand. Cold packs and ice, like icy cold water, should never be applied directly to the dog as getting too cold too fast can cause shock in a dog suffering form heat-related illness – place a damp towel between the dog and an ice pack. Additionally, try to keep your freezer's ice container full – some dogs like to chew on ice which will help keep them happy and healthy during hot summer weather.

Brachycephalic dogs (dogs with short snouts) such as Bull Dogs, Lhasa Apsos, Shi Tzus, Pekinese, Boston Terriers, etc., are most susceptible to problems in hot weather. Keep in mind that a dog that has previously suffered heat stroke is more susceptible in the future.