Keeping your pets safe during extreme heat

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – We all love spending time outdoors with our furry friends, but enjoying the warmer weather can bring both fun and danger.

As pet owners it is your responsibility to understand your pets’ limitations. Dogs can get dehydrated quickly, so it’s important to give them plenty of fresh water when it’s hot or humid outdoors.

And on days when it is too hot, experts recommend to keep them inside. They say that if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for your dog. Dogs can also suffer from heat stress in just a few, short minutes.

Knowing the risks and being prepared can help keep you and your pet safe on hot summer days. One local pet owner told 22News, it’s okay to go outside with your furry-friend but know when they are showing signs to head back inside.

“We’re out here only for a short time… like one hour tops,” said Sarah Prince of Agawam. “I’m just watching him, making sure that he’s safe and he’s giving me the cues that he wants to still be here. “If he stops playing, lays down, has no desire to be here anymore, we’re out. You gotta listen to your pet!”

Some of the more common heat stress signs include:

• Excessive panting
• Abnormal gum and tongue color
• Restlessness

Experts say, if you notice any of these signs you are encouraged to contact your pet’s veterinarian.

For more information on how to protect your pets during hot weather, click here.