Summer Survival Guide for Your Pets

July 24, 2007 — -- There's a reason these are called the "dog days of summer" — just imagine living through triple-digit temperatures covered in fur.

Dr. Marty Becker dropped by "Good Morning America" with the top tips for dog and cat owners to make their pet safer, more comfortable and travel-ready during the summer months.

To find out about adopting the pets featured on "GMA" — Louie the Yorkshire terrier pup and Antoinette the kitten — visit the Humane Society of New York .

Do you know which pets are most at risk during these hot days? Very young, very old and overweight dogs and cats, and short-nosed breeds like pugs, bulldogs and terriers.

Short-nosed breeds (also called brachycephalic breeds) with pushed-in faces are prone to breathing difficulties. Dogs pant to get rid of excess heat, and these dogs are the worst panters, which inhibits their ability to get rid of heat. Think of a human who can't sweat.

If your dog or cat has a heavy coat, such as a sheepdog or a husky, or if you live in a hot, humid area like Florida or Texas, it's a good idea to give your pet a crew cut by cutting their hair to about 1 inch long. But be careful, don't cut their hair too short because it works as a natural sunscreen for your pets.

For other pets, a clean, well-brushed coat enables air to circulate between the hair and their skin, which will keep both dogs and cats naturally cool. Cats in particular need to be brushed frequently.

And here's something you might not know: Dark-haired pets heat up much more quickly, just like humans who wear dark clothes. For those dogs, it's very important to keep them out of the sun and their hair clipped short.

The two most important ways to keep pets cool is through shade and fresh, clean water. Becker suggested some products to help pets cool off.