The hot weather lately hasn't just been taking a toll on people.  Pets are also feeling the heat, and require extra attention during the summer months.

Gwen Reimer, Owner/Manager of Pets of the Ark Inc in Steinbach, explains why.

"Just like we can feel sick to our stomachs, they can feel sick to their stomachs if they get heat stroke as well.  It's just not a good thing - imagine yourself out there in the heat.  Think how you would feel, and make sure that you treat your animal appropriately."  She says dehydration, throwing up, seizures, and even death of pets are possibilities if people do not take care of them.

Reimer notes one way to prevent dogs from exhaustion is by keeping them wet.

"They're going to look for shade and look for cool, so they're going to start digging in your yard to get that nice cool dirt.  So if you don't like holes in your yard and you really want to keep a nice cool dog, get it a little kiddy wading pool."  She says another good option is freezing a large pail of water with toys in it overnight.  Then, owners can break it up before they leave for work the next day and let their dogs continually lick the ice.

However, Reimer says it's not just dogs that need shade and water.

"That includes cats as well.  A lot of people kind of forget about their kitties."  She notes rabbits are especially vulnerable to dying from heat, and says shelter up against a building is helpful for them.

Reimer reminds people that leaving pets alone in vehicles is a definite no-no.

"You don't want to have an animal in your vehicle.  If you have to for short periods of time, it's obvious: You have to have those windows cracked open a bit."  She also advises not to take dogs on walks at mid-day.  Reimer says hot pavement can burn the pads of their feet too.  Even for animals used to warm temperatures, she emphasizes it can effect the way they behave.

Gwen Reimer with a puppy at Pets of the Ark in Steinbach.

She describes more warning signs that a pet needs to cool down.

"If your dog or cat has been out in the heat and you suddenly notice that it is throwing up or is looking dizzy or something, you know it's been out in the heat too long."

While she says water needs for each dog vary, Reimer says a five gallon pail of water set in the shade per day is usually enough.

"It's totally going to depend on their activity level.  Some dogs are just going to lay out and just chill for the day, and other dogs are going to be plain old active."

Reimer says promoting awareness of these issues is always necessary, but notes locally, people seem to be getting the message.

"As a whole, most people are pretty careful.  I'm not seeing a whole lot of animals in vehicles.  I'm seeing a lot of people purchasing travel water containers and things like that."  She says in general, people love their animals and want them to stay healthy.