It’s cookout season, and it culminates on Labor Day next month. Dogs are notorious for stealing items off the grill — or at least begging for a taste — but make sure you know what’s safe before handing out treats or laughing off a canine food theft.

Say yes with a smile to a bite of skinless, boneless lean meat, such as chicken, as long as it’s not slathered in barbecue sauce or anything spicy. Grilled veggies such as broccoli and carrots are OK, too. Avoid ribs and pork chops; the small or oddly shaped bones can cause choking or obstructions. Same for corn on the cob. And anything on skewers is a serious hazard. Keep trash out of dog reach, and alert guests not to give Baxter anything he shouldn’t have.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

Even here in Northern Idaho it’s hot, hot, hot. Here are my tips to protect your pets.

Q: It is so hot! I’m sweltering, and I imagine my dogs are, too. How can I help them stay cool?

A: Staying inside with the air conditioning as high as you can afford is probably the best bet for flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, boxers and pugs, but many dogs love basking in the sun or splashing in water. Here are some tips to help keep them safe from heatstroke or sunburn.

Apply pet-safe sunscreen before they go outdoors. Dogs (and cats) can get sunburned, especially on the ears and nose, or if they have a thin or light-colored coat. Look for pet-safe sunscreen at pet supply stores or online, or use any PABA-free sunscreen. If your dog will be playing in water, use a sport-type sunscreen that offers some water resistance. (No sunscreen is waterproof, and the FDA requires sunscreens labeled “water resistant” to be tested and state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 or 80 minutes while the wearer is swimming or sweating.) Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the belly if your dog likes to sunbathe on his back.

Heatstroke is the most common summertime pet emergency. Your dog might seem like he’s having fun playing on the beach for hours on a warm day, but he’s at risk if he doesn’t have access to shade or fresh water. Offer him water frequently, and mist him with a spray bottle of cool water. Again, flat-faced dogs are at highest risk. On a humid day, especially, panting to cool themselves becomes less effective. They should not spend long periods outdoors on warm days without shade or water. Signs of heatstroke include continuous panting, dark red gums and weakness or collapse. It’s an emergency, so don’t wait around to see if he gets better. Cool him with water and get veterinary help immediately.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

We all want our pets to look good, but keeping them groomed is about a lot more than looks.

Q: It’s hard to get my daughters to brush the dog the way they promised to when we got her. Can you explain why grooming is important?

A: Two words: comfort and health. Ask your daughters if they remember what it’s like when you’re trying to brush out a tangle in their hair or how it feels when a ponytail is too tight. It’s painful, right? Dogs feel the same way when they have mats in their fur — an uncomfortable tugging on the skin that hurts even more if they scratch or bite at it. Keeping dogs regularly brushed and combed so that mats and tangles don’t form prevents that painful, unpleasant feeling.

Grooming keeps dogs comfortable in other ways. It removes dead hair so new hair can grow in, ensuring that your dog’s coat helps to insulate her from heat in summer and cold in winter.

Grooming is also your girls’ chance to help keep their dog healthy. It’s a good time to check the dog’s skin for lumps, bumps, cuts or scabs. If they find something, they should let you know so you can arrange a veterinary exam to make sure it’s not something serious.

Parasites such as fleas and ticks are removed during grooming. That contributes to keeping dogs healthy and itch-free. Giving the ears a deep sniff to make sure they don’t smell bad from a brewing infection is another important part of grooming.

While regular grooming keeps your dog looking and smelling good, there’s more to it than that. It should be a relaxing time for people and dogs, a special time of bonding. When it’s done, everyone feels good. Ending with a tummy rub for your dog is the cherry on top that will keep him coming back for more.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.

What is feline hyperthyroidism and what do cat parents need to know about it? Here’s what I told a reader.

Q: The vet says my cat might have hyperthyroidism. What should I know about this disease?

A: Hyperthyroidism — high levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood — was first reported some 40 years ago. It’s commonly seen in senior cats, both males and females, of any breed or mix.

Among the numerous signs that can indicate hyperthyroidism are unexplained weight loss (the primary clinical sign), increased appetite (another classic sign), irritability, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and a ratty-looking coat. But some cats with hyperthyroidism are energetic and have an increased appetite, so it doesn’t occur to their people that there might be anything wrong with them. A clue: It’s not normal for a 15-year-old cat to suddenly become active.

Depending on the individual cat, signs range from mild to severe, and they can be very different from cat to cat. Classic signs combined with lab work showing significantly elevated levels of thyroid hormone (T4, or thyroxine, and free T4, which is thyroxine not bound to a protein in the blood) is conclusive. In cats with elevated T4 who are not yet showing signs, a veterinarian may suggest monitoring for weight loss and other symptoms, then retesting.

Cats with hyperthyroidism are prone to hypertension (high blood pressure), which can lead to more serious problems, such as kidney failure or heart disease, so treatment is important. Options include administration of radioactive iodine (I-131), surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or antithyroid medication given for the rest of the cat’s life.

The treatment your veterinarian recommends depends on factors such as your cat’s age and general health, the presence of other diseases (known as comorbidities) and your budget. Ask your veterinarian to go over all the options with you to make the best decision for yourself and your cat.

There’s more in Pet Connection, the weekly nationally syndicated pet feature I co-write with Kim Campbell Thornton and my daughter, trainer Mikkel Becker.