Sweltering Summer days are on the horizon, so before you head to the pool to cool down, read our tips on how to keep your furry buddies from overheating, too.

• Make sure your dog or cat is well-hydrated. Soaring temperatures and being in the sun will dehydrate your pet fast, so make sure their water bowls are full, and if they spend a lot of time outdoors, keep a water bowl outside as well.
• Try to walk your dog early in the morning or at night, when the sun isn't blazing. If you have to walk him during the day, protect his paws from hot asphalt with dog booties. While exercise is always important for your dog, you can ease up on the intensity during the hot Summer months.

• Speaking of exercise, take advantage of lakes and beaches, or even doggie pools, in the Summer and kill two birds with one stone. Not only will your dog be getting plenty of exercise, he'll also keep cool while splashing in the water. Oh, and it's also a great way to have fun and bond, so make that three birds with one stone.

• Since your cat would probably rather sweat it out than jump into a body of water, look to other ways of cooling her down. A simple technique is to dampen a towel with cold water and gently pet your cat with it from the top of her head to her tail. You can also place the dampened towel in a cool spot in your house for her to lie on. For extra comfort, you can create a cool retreat out of a cardboard box (let's be honest, all cats love boxes). Line the box with a light fabric and place it in a cool corner of the house. You can spruce it up even more by tossing in some of her favorite toys or an ice pack stuffed inside a sock for extra chill.

For more tips on how to keep your pets cool in the Summer, just keep reading.

There was stiff competition this week when selecting which pet pic to feature, but this happy pup captured our attention thanks to her beaming smile and that bright flower tucked behind her ear. Instagram user laurenkl shared that her happy canine is a rescue dog, which makes this adorable pup even sweeter. Here's what she had to say about the snap:

"Happy 2nd Birthday to Sophie Monster!"

We're so happy that Sophie found a forever home!

Keep taking pictures of your adorable pets, uploading them to Instagram, and remembering to tag them with #POPSUGARPets, and next Thursday we'll share another fave from the week. And, of course, follow POPSUGAR Pets on Instagram for pet inspiration and cute pictures of our favorite pets.

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