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CHICO — With temperatures expected to linger in the triple digits until August, Chico residents and their furry friends are feeling the heat.

Unlike people, the pets of Butte County can’t tell us when they get overheated and it’s up to pet owners to make sure they stay safe this summer. The Humane Society of The United States recommends several ways to look out for heat stroke in dogs.

Shannon Wright, adoptions manager for the Butte Human Society, says that it is extremely important on hot days to make sure pets have access to plenty of cool drinking water and an air conditioned space.

“This time of year with temperatures skyrocketing, the best thing for people and their pets to do is take preventative measures,” Wright said. “Each animal is unique and what one animal can handle, another one cannot. Leave your pets at home where they are safe and comfortable and don’t overexert them.”

For pet owners who don’t have access to air conditioning, Wright recommends getting cooling pads for pets to lay on and plenty of cool drinking water.

Keep Butte County pets safe this summer by watching out for signs of heatstroke and being mindful of asphalt temperatures.

Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting, but the organization recommends watching out for heavy panting which can be an indicator that a dog is overheating. Glazed eyes, dizziness, increased salivation, vomiting and a deep red or purple tongue are other signs of heat stroke in dogs.

The organization also warns that certain breeds of cats and dogs with short or flat muzzles have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat and will overheat much faster than animals with longer muzzles. Pets with shorter legs are closer to the hot ground and can overheat faster. Animals with weight issues or heart and lung conditions are also more susceptible to heat stroke.

Animal’s fur can help regulate an animal’s temperature and prevent sunburn. The organization warns pet owners not to shave animals but says that light haircuts are fine.

Another danger for pets that often goes overlooked is the hot asphalt of sidewalks and parking lots.

With many Chico residents living in apartments, it can be difficult to find grassy areas to walk animals on. This leaves sidewalks and concrete walkways which can get up to 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air around it. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that urban areas like cities get hotter during the day than rural areas. On an 85 degree day, asphalt can register at temperatures around 135 degrees.

The American Kennel Club reports that for asphalt registering above 125 degrees, It only takes 60 seconds for skin damage to occur. At 131 degrees, an egg can fry in five seconds.

To check and see if the ground is too hot for your pet to walk on, The American Kennel Club recommends you place your bare hand or foot on the ground you plan to walk your pet on for 10 seconds. If the ground is too hot for you, the organization says, then it is also too hot for your pets.

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