Record high heat a danger to pets
As we try to protect ourselves in the heat, we also have to think about our pets.
Summer brings a whole new danger for our furry friends, including products we use in our garden, how we get our animals groomed, and what to watch out for when we take them on a walk.
Animal experts at the Wake County Animal Center can't stress enough how important it is to keep your pets cool in this unsafe heat by providing them with access to water and shade, and never leaving them alone in a locked car, for any amount of time.
But there are some heat related dangers for your pets you might not know.
Jennifer Federico, Animal Services Director of the Wake County Animal Center, said it's important to keep your pets away from toxic chemicals if you're gardening, and making sure you don't leave them unsupervised near a pool.
She said if you're thinking about giving your furry pal a haircut, to help them out with the heat, you might want to be careful about how much hair you cut off.
"If you have a long-coated dog and you want to shave them off a little bit, that's fine," Federico said. "But you don't want to shave them completely, because their coat is protecting their skin, so you leave them open for sunburns."
She also offered some advice on what to do, if you want to keep your dog safe from the dangers of extreme heat, the next time you take your pet out for a walk, and the tell-tale signs to look out for.
Federico says the best thing to do is avoid walking your dog in the middle of the day, and opt for some time in the early morning or night instead.
If you have to walk your dog during the day, she says be aware of what they're walking on.
"Asphalt really heats up. Just go out there yourselves and walk barefoot on some hot asphalt - it's hot on your feet, and that's what they're feeling," Federico said.
She suggests looking for a shaded, tree-lined area, or a dirt trail, to provide a cooler path to walk your dog.
Federico tells us humidity is also another big factor in keeping pets safe in the heat. She says pet owners should be aware that dogs with shorter snouts have a harder time breathing in hot, humid weather.
"If we're exercising, all of the sudden you're seeing your dog panting more, their heart rate's up, they're becoming lethargic - that's a really big sign that you need to get to you veterinarian, immediately," Federico said. "And get them looked at because they could be having heat stroke and they can die."
WATCH: More tips to protect your pet
