The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the entire state starting today through Saturday, so it’s a good time to review some safety reminders with pets.

Jill Mills with the People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Greene County says if pets are going to be outdoors, to make sure they have plenty of fresh water, and shaded, well circulated areas to cool off. She points out an area to avoid to protect your furry friends from the dangerously hot temperatures.

“We definitely do not want them on asphalt because it’s more difficult for them to stay cool and it can also hurt their pads (of their paws).”

Mills adds that dogs can succumb to heat exhaustion just like humans do if they are kept outside for long periods of time in extreme heat. She says some of the signs of heat exhaustion for dogs include frequent panting and being very lethargic. She recommends not keeping animals outside longer than 15 minutes of exercise when it gets over 90-degrees.