I have a variety of pets that include: horses, goats, sheep, alpacas, rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, and fish. If I included all of my animals that have flown over the rainbow high into the sky, well, the list would become a book.

In my opinion and with over 25 years of experience with animals, I have created a list of tips and tricks to help you protect your fur babies from the heat.

1. Frozen water bottles are a great idea to help cool down your little fluff balls like bunnies and guinea pigs.

2. Having cooling blankets out on the floor also gives your pets the option to lay down on them and rest while not feeling overheated. I especially recommend this for any pets that are very fluffy.

3. Put ice cubes in the water bowls to keep their water cooler longer. Also, my dogs try to pick the ice cubes up and play with them, which means another little entertainment for them too.

4. Fruits and vegetables are a nice treat for most animals, but frozen fruit and veg keeps them cooler for longer. It's also great brain stimulation for them, so they don’t get bored. Just remember to make sure not to include fruits and vegetables that are poisonous to your pets.

5. Frozen licky mats are great for dogs' brain stimulation, keeping them entertained, and again, frozen keeps the dogs cooler. Usually, my boys like doggie peanut butter, coconut oil, and banana on the licky mats, but there are many options to choose from. Just make sure your choice of ingredients is pet-friendly.

6. Plenty of shaded areas are important so animals have the option to stay cool and out of direct sunlight.

7. Only walk your dogs when it's cooler, as the heat from the pavement can burn their paws. I don’t recommend too much exercise on hot days, as this could overheat them.

8. If you're like me and have pets that love to lay in the sun and will literally lay there all day, make sure you move them out of the sun; otherwise, they will overheat.

9. Paddling pools and water sprinklers are a great way to keep your dogs entertained and cool all at the same time. My two Rottweilers absolutely love the water, so they have the best of times when they hear the hose on.

10. This one is pretty common sense, but if you have animals like sheep and alpacas, make sure you get them shaved in the springtime because they do not need the weight of their wool and all that extra heat on a sunny day.

I hope these tips help any animal lovers out there worrying about how to keep their pets safe in the heat.

Disclaimer: I am not a vet or animal specialist, as already written. These are tips and tricks that have helped me care for my fur babies in hot weather and showed excellent results.