With temperatures climbing over the weekend pet expert Gina Spadafori spoke with Beth Ruyak on Insight about the dangers of extreme heat to our pets.

“Dogs, in particular, can get overheated very very quickly and you have a life [or] death emergency on your hands within just a few minutes.”

She says dogs are particularly susceptible to overheating and will display heat distress through rapid panting.

“As they get into heatstroke range their panting will be frantic. Their gums will be really red and you’ll get this weird glassy eyed and that’s when you’re heading into deadly territory.”

Spadafori says if your dog does get overheated the best thing to do is cool them off with cool water, do not put ice on them and get them to a veterinarian or emergency pet clinic immediately.

Spadafori suggests getting a kiddie pool for your dogs to play in, to help cool them off. She also said short nosed breeds are the most at risk for heat-related illnesses and should be kept inside on hot days.

In regard to your feline friends, Spadafori says there’s not as much reason to be concerned since most casts regulate their temperature on their own.

“Cats typically don’t have the heat problems we see in dogs, because you don’t take a cat for a run on a hot day. You don’t take a cat on a run ever.”