Best Friends Animal Society has posted tips to help pet owners keep their animals safe in the heat.

A pet should never be left in a parked car when the outside temperature is above 70 degrees, even if the windows are partway down, the car is in the shade or the owner only needs to run a quick errand. Dogs and cats cannot sweat like humans, so they pant to lower their body temperature. If they are inside a car, recycling hot air, panting gives no relief, and heat stroke can happen quickly.

Heat stroke can occur when an animal's temperature rises to a critical level. Normal body temperatures for dogs and cats range from 100 to 102.5 degrees. When a dog's temperature rises to 108 degrees or a cat's to 106 degrees, the animal can experience irreparable organ damage and even death.

According to Best Friends veterinarians, signs of heat stroke include heavy panting that does not resolve as the pet rests, increasing distress, a tongue color that is dark red to almost purple, weakness or collapse, hyper-salivation, vomiting, and labored breathing.

If a dog or cat may have heat stroke, move the animal to a cooler environment immediately and apply cool water to the abdomen, ears, and footpads. To prevent shock, do not pour ice water over the whole animal. Instead, submerge the animal in a tub of cold water or cover it in a cold, wet blanket. Once it is stable, get the animal to a vet clinic as quickly as possible, even if it seems to be cooling down and its temperature seems normal. Internal changes may not produce external symptoms.

To help prevent heat stroke, pets should be kept indoors during the day, when the weather is at its hottest. Quick walks and bathroom breaks are fine, but owners should try to keep their pet in the shade.

If pets do spend time outside during the day, they should have access to shade at all times. Dogs on tethers are especially vulnerable because they could become tangled out of reach of shade or water. Grass and greenery help keep the yard cooler, too.

Pets should be provided with fresh, cool water at all times. During the heat of summer, water should be dumped and refilled often. Most dogs will not drink hot water no matter how thirsty they are.

Dogs should be exercised during the cooler morning or evening hours, not in the intense afternoon heat. Dogs that are older or overweight, have a thick coat or have a short nose - like bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs - are especially at risk of overheating. When on an outing, owners should bring water for both themselves and their pets, or they may bring a collapsible bowl for pets if there is a water source on their route.

Individuals should be aware of the temperature of the sidewalk, asphalt, sand, or even packed dirt as these can cause burns to a pet's paw pads if these surfaces are too hot.

Owners should consult a veterinarian about whether their pet needs a pet-approved sunscreen on exposed areas. Dogs with bald patches or minimal coats may need sunscreen, as well as dogs like Nordic breeds that are prone to autoimmune-related sun diseases.

For more information about Best Friends Animal Society, visit http://www.bestfriends.org.