Pet Precautions During Heat Advisory

BAY AREA, CA — A heatwave is about to send temperatures soaring into triple digits. It will not only be dangerous for people, but also for pets.

Animal-advocacy officials reminded residents to take steps to ensure dogs, cats and other pets are safe from the hot weather.

Most urgently, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently reminded residents to never leave pets inside a locked vehicle, even for short periods of time, since the interior of a vehicle parked in the heat can quickly turn deadly.

These five summer dangers are worth your time to review, including signs of overheating.

The organization also offered the following tips for pet safety during the heat wave:

• ensure pets have plenty of cool, clean drinking water
• if pets must be kept outside, make sure they have plenty of shade and ventilation, along with water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over
• clip animals' long, matted coats short to help them stay cool, but ensure it isn't so short that the animal can become sunburned
• exercise pets in the morning or evening when temperatures are lower
• avoid walking dogs on hot surfaces to prevent burns to their pads.

According to the ASPCA, a pet that is overcome by heat will show symptoms such as heavy panting, excessive salivating or remaining immobile.

What to do if you discover your pet is overheated?

A pet that is overcome by heat should be slowly immersed in cool water — but never ice-cold water, which could cause shock. The pet owner should then immediately call a veterinarian.

What do you do with your pet during the hot summer days?

Email a photo of your pet cooling off and a little about your fur-baby to bea.karnes@patch.com for a chance to be featured on Patch!

—Written by Ashley Ludwig/Patch