Bozeman Dog Owners: Hot Weather Safety Tips For Your Dog

Summer is officially here, and we all love to get outdoors and enjoy the long summer days with our pets. Living in Manhattan, just west of Bozeman, my dogs and I spend a lot of time in the Gallatin River staying cool during the summer.

Hot temperatures during the summer can be dangerous to humans and pets. Never leave your pets in a parked car. Not even for a minute. It doesn't matter if you have the air conditioner running, just don't do it.

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On a hot day, the temperature inside of a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside of a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Those extreme temperatures are extremely dangerous and could possibly kill your pet.

If you take your dog hiking with you, it's also a good idea to limit exercise on hot days during the summer. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

If your dog is outside in the backyard while you're, make sure it has some shade to protect them from the heat. Also, make sure your dog has plenty of fresh, cold water. I even add ice to my dog's water dish on really hot days.

For more information about how to keep your pets safe in the heat, click here.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.