The warm rays of summer sunshine are fast approaching as the spring showers slowly fade away. While we humans enjoy the frozen treats and sandal options, it’s important not to forget about our four-legged friends and what they need to keep them chill, inside and out.

Whether you have cats or dogs, or any other fur baby, for that matter, these are things you need to know before hitting the beach (or backyard) with your fluffy buddy.

1. Try to take them for their walks and spend the most active part of their day when the temperatures are at their lowest: in the mornings and evenings.

2. Make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water at all times.

3. However, when they’re dehydrated they might want to lap up water a bit too quickly, so don’t fill their bowl up completely.

4. Instead of shaving off heavy coats, keep them regularly brushed and free of any tangles to help them better regulate their body temperature.

5. A kiddie pool is a simple (and adorable) solution for cooling down outdoors.

6. Don’t skimp on the A/C indoors. If you don’t have it, get fans to help them stay cool.

7. A moist towel works, too. Just remember to re-wet it until they’ve completely cooled off.

8. Use pet-friendly sunscreen on their bellies, ears, and other areas with less fur that are vulnerable to the rays.

9. Never, NEVER leave them in a car alone. Nope, not even with the window down. Never.

10. Try to take walks on cooler surfaces, avoiding pavement and sand.

11. There’s a stronger chance of heartworms and hookworms finding their way into your pet through their paws during the summer months, so visit your vet to talk about prescription prevention options.

12. Lilies are extremely dangerous for cats and dogs alike, so nix them from your garden.

13. Same goes for azaleas.

14. Avoid swimming in lakes with blue-green algae. It can quickly cause seizures in your pet. It also smells bad, which you probably won’t love either.

15. Invest in a brightly colored life jacket for your pooch if you plan on spending a lot of time in the water or on the boat.

16. Watch for coolant leaks in your car, the sweet taste is deadly to pets.

(via BuzzFeed, Prevention, Petfinder)

Just think about how you’d feel walking around with a fur coat and bare feet and remember that’s exactly how your pet is feeling. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll both have a much better summer.