Keeping your pet safe over the 4th of July holiday

MILWAUKEE -- With a heat warning in effect in parts of southeastern Wisconsin and temperatures in the 90s with heat indices in the triple digits, officials remind pet owners to monitor pets for signs of overheating.

"When they start panting really heavy and their tongues are really hanging out then I'll force her in the house whether she wants to or not," dog owner Crystal Douyett said.

Officials say there are many important things to keep in mind in order to prevent your dog from overheating.

"Never leave your dog in the car. The inside of a car can reach over 160 degrees in a matter of minutes. It's just not safe. Also never tie your dog up outside in the sun and always make sure they have access to fresh water and a cool place," Angela Speed with the Wisconsin Humane Society said.

If you notice your dog is getting overheated, officials say you should bring them to a cool place, but do not put ice on them because they could go into shock.

Officials also advise keeping an eye out for signs of heat stroke.

"Panting, difficulty breathing, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting. If you see any of those signs you'll want to call your veterinarian immediately," Speed said.

Officials at the Wisconsin Humane Society say it's best to leave the dog at home when heading out to the fireworks.

"We often see an increase in dogs who get lost during the Fourth of July because they do bolt from their families when they start to hear those fireworks," Speed said.

If your dog can still hear the booms from inside the house and gets a little nervous, there are ways to help settle them down.

"We actually carry a variety of products ranging from comfort wraps that kind of calm your dog down to different homeopathic remedies that can also help them with that anxiety," Speed said.

For more tips on keeping your pets safe from the heat, CLICK HERE.

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