Pet owners are being careful as a heat wave arrives.

EVANS, Ga. () – With the temperatures expected to rise way above normal this weekend, people are thinking about how to keep themselves and their furry friends safe.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says to visit the vet for an early summer checkup and to know the symptoms of overheating in animals.

I spoke with Cole McKee who has a labradoodle and says with the heat being very high for this time of year, he will make sure his dog is hydrated at all times and does not overheat.

“It’s really up to him, if he wants to go outside we take him out. We take him on walks and runs still a little bit but the important thing is that he has a water source nearby. We keep the air conditioning down pretty low and of course provide plenty of water inside too, he like to lay on the hard wood where it’s colder,” said McKee.

Another pet owner we spoke with, Sarah Carrasquillo, has an American bulldog and says one of the first things she learned when she got her dog was that if she is hot, then her dog is hot. 

“The number one important thing from what I learned from breeders is that when a dog is over panting you don’t want to give them water right away. You need to let their bodies cool down naturally because you can actually have them go into shock, other things can happen but hydration is a key point, movement and letting them rest as well,” Carrasquillo said.

Different breeds have different needs and the ASPCA says animals with flat faces such as pugs are more likely to have a heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively.

Carrasquillo explains how she keeps her pets hydrated and entertained throughout the day.

“Take some cut up watermelon in a little cup, maybe a couple ounces, fill it up with water and pieces of watermelon and freeze them. It’s a great snack for them any time of the day for them outside or even indoors I hold it for them and they lick it like a pup cup.” said Carrasquillo.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary for your pet, it is recommended that you call your veterinarian immediately.