Heat Advisory For Pets: What Southland Pet Owners Need To Know

TEMECULA, CA — An early Spring heatwave baking the Southland can be dangerous not only for people, but also for pets, and animal-advocacy officials reminded residents to take steps to ensure dogs, cats and other pets are safe from the hot weather.

READ: What you need to know about California's "Right To Rescue Law"

Most urgently, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recently reminded residents to never leave pets inside a locked vehicle, even for short periods of time, since the interior of a vehicle parked in the heat can quickly turn deadly.

READ: 'Miracle' Dog Near Death Survives Heat And Neglect

Though this list is for summer, hot weather warnings can come up any time of year in the sunny western states.

These five sunny day dangers are worth your time to review, including signs of overheating.

The organization also offered the following tips for pet safety during the heatwave.

Pet Safety Tips During Heat Advisory:

• Ensure pets have plenty of cool, clean drinking water.
• If pets must be kept outside, make sure they have plenty of shade and ventilation, along with water in a bowl that cannot be tipped over.
• Clip animals' long, matted coats short to help them stay cool, but ensure it isn't so short that the animal can become sunburned.
• Exercise pets in the morning or evening when temperatures are lower.
• Avoid walking dogs on hot surfaces to prevent burns to their pads.

According to the AspcaLA, a pet that is overcome by heat will show symptoms such as heavy panting, excessive salivating or remaining immobile.

What To Do If Your Pet Is Overheated:

A pet that is overcome by heat should be slowly immersed in cool water -- but never ice-cold water, which could cause shock. The pet owner should then immediately call a veterinarian.

Show Off Your Cool Pet On Patch:

Email a photo of your pet cooling off, and tell us a little about your fur-baby to your Patch Editor for a chance to be featured on Patch!