WI Humane Society reminds owners to keep pets cool

MILWAUKEE -- With forecasted temperatures in the 90s for the next few days, Humane Society officials are reminding pet owners not to forget about keeping their pets cool! Wisconsin Humane Society officials say pets can feel the effects of the heat just as much as their owners do.

“Animals do not have the same methods of regulating their body temperatures as humans do.  Dogs actually cool themselves by panting, so one of the signs of heat stroke is excessive panting, difficulty breathing, diarrhea or throwing up,” Angela Speed with the Wisconsin Humane Society said.

Last year, a few dogs in Milwaukee died from heat stroke after being left inside a car.  With the upcoming temperatures reaching the triple digits, it would take only a few minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach 160 degrees.

If you're going to be walking your dog outside, officials advise keeping walks short, and heading out during the cooler parts of the day.  Inside, have a shaded place for your pet or keep a fan running, and of course, have plenty of water to keep your pup cool.

“For people who don't have air conditioning, get a kiddie pool,” Speed said.

Certain breeds also require even more attention in the heat.

“Dogs with snub noses can't breathe as easily as dogs with longer snouts.  Senior animals are especially vulnerable too,” Speed said.

If your dog does start to show signs of heat stroke, don't use cold water or ice to cool it off. Officials say that could cause your pet to go into shock.  Instead, bring the animal inside to a cool space and call the veterinarian.

Monitor the weather and hot temperatures by checking the weather section on FOX6Now.com.

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