It’s time for pets to enjoy summer fun with the family. But be sure to keep them safe from the pet perils that come with the season’s heat, humidity, travel, fleas and ticks.

To help owners and pets enjoy the summer together, here are some tips from PetMD.org, the 3D digital magazine dedicated to pet healthcare.

•Water. Keep it in multiple locations for pets. Water bowls can turn over easily, get dirt in them or grow bacteria, leaving the pet without cool, fresh, clean water. When traveling or hiking, take along water for pets.

•Do not leave pets in the car. It takes only a few minutes for the vehicle to get hot, even with cracked windows. It also is against the law in many states.

•Know the pet’s heat tolerance. Heat and humidity, along with age, health, obesity and type of breed or type of pet, can factor into heat tolerance. Dogs and cats, whose normal body temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees, don’t do well in heat, especially if they get dehydrated.

Cats sweat through their paws and will lick themselves to cool down, become inactive and seek cool places. Above 85 or 90 degrees they can become stressed. Dogs do not lose heat as fast as humans, so heat can become a health risk quickly.

•Throw away uneaten pet food. Bacteria grow faster when it is hot, so uneaten pet food should be thrown out. More frequent, smaller portions may be appropriate during the summer.

•Know what is toxic to pets. Plants, household items and foods such as chocolate, onions, coffee, nicotine, alcoholic beverages, poultry bones, fatty foods, grapes and raisins can be harmful.

•Keep pet ID and contact information on pets. Pets are more active in the summer—chasing other animals, traveling in an unfamiliar place—and can end up lost. The pet’s name and owner’s cellphone number on its collar can be a lifesaver.

•Check pets for fleas, ticks, mites. Check and groom pets daily to ensure they do not have fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm from mosquitoes, bites or other infections or rashes from being outdoors.

•Groom pets daily. Grooming in the summer will help pets stay cooler, provide inspection for health problems and reduce hairballs in cats.

•Keep fish tanks away from sunlight. The temperature of fish is directly affected by water temperature. If the sun heats the water, it can harm fish.

•Walk pets in the early morning or in the evening when it is cooler.

This story is provided by State Point Media.