An excessive heat warning continues through 8 p.m. Saturday. People are wearing lighter clothes and shorts, but pets cannot. Owners should keep an eye on their furry friends when they're outdoors and look for signs of heat stroke. Eileen Ruiz, a veterinarian at Big Easy Animal Hospital gives dog owners tips on how to keep dogs safe during this heat wave.
"Excessive panting, if they're on a walk, they can stop and lay down. They can develop abnormal breathing. It can affect the organs of the body, causing them to shut down."
She says dogs should drink one ounce of water for every pound they weigh daily to stay hydrated.
"Every pet is different. General guidance is that dogs should drink about one ounce of water per body weight per day."
Pet owners should also be aware of the surfaces their pets are walking on too. Surfaces like cement and asphalt can heat up extremely quickly during the summer months. Grass is usually a better option.
