DEMOPOLIS &8212; While trying to cope with the summer heat, most of us can pretty easily find a way to cool of. But what about man&8217;s best friend?

According to Dr. Roy Hill of the Demopolis Animal Clinic, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your pets during the hot summer months.

The number one concern, he says, is avoiding heat stroke. The best way to avoid this is to never leave your pets inside of the car with the windows rolled up.

If your pet does get heat stroke, Dr Hill recommends wetting them down with cool water.

Dr. Hill says that cool water is preferred over dousing your pet with ice because the extremes in temperatures could cause a shock to their system.

Another thing to keep in mind is if your pet is not used to a great deal of exercise, summer is not the time to get them started.

Another consideration for pets during the summer is keeping them groomed. Laquita Faulkner of Clyde&8217;s Pet People recommends giving pets a shorter summer haircut to help them handle the heat.

Fleas can also be an unpleasant issue for pets during the summer months.

Overall, your pet can have a safe and healthy summer if you take the time to keep them hydrated, groomed and in a cool place.