costner

Keep your pets safe during these hot and humid summer conditions. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to reach the 90s with the heat index climbing up to 100. PAWS and More Director Amber Talbot recommends people create a safe environment for their pets – make sure they have access to water and shade. She says excessive panting, darkened gums, frothing at the mouth, staggering, and losing consciousness are signs of heat exhaustion in dogs.

If you find a dog in distress, Talbot recommends, “The best way to cool your animal down, if you come across an animal that you’re concerned is experiencing heat exhaustion is to cool them slowly. The best way if you have access to water and some towels, is you want to get towels wet and put them around their neck, in their armpits, and between their legs. The towels will actually help draw the heat out of their body versus just hosing them down with your hose and having them just be wet on the surface. So that is a great trick to help really draw that heat out, and of course getting their paw pads wet as well. And getting to your vet immediately.”

Talbot advises it’s best to keep your pets at home in cool conditions; don’t risk leaving them in a car that can become like an oven in hot temperatures.

Photo courtesy of PAWS and More – Costner is a dog at PAWS waiting for adoption.