TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As you're trying to stay cool in the hot weather Thursday, make sure you don't forget your pets.
They can overheat too, especially with a fur-coat. The ASPCA says pets get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water and try to keep them in the shade.
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. It can lead to fatal heat stroke and watch out for signs of heat stroke.
"There is a number of different signs for heat stroke within a dog," said Erika Leckington, Director of Tallahassee Animal Services. "Dogs can't pant fast enough to cool themselves, so their pads will be very clammy and they will be panting excessively, often when they get to the heatstroke part they will refuse to stand up. They might circle, they might paddle and they might refuse water, so it is best to get them medical care immediately."
And remember, animals with flat faces, like pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke. That's because they can't pant as effectively.
So keep them in cool, air conditioned rooms as much as possible.
