We know to not leave pets in the car, but how else can we help them during WA weekend heat?

Finally! After months of enduring chilly temperatures and rain, a quick hit of summer this weekend is a welcome sight for many in Western Washington.

The sun is supposed to be out, and temperatures are expected to rise above 80 degrees across most of Western Washington for the first time this year over the next three days and could even reach the 90s on Monday.

While that sounds wonderful for many of us who can wear shorts and put a few extra ice cubes in our cold beverages, the heat can be dangerous for our furry friends, who may find it more difficult to stay safe and comfortable as the temperatures rise 15 to 20 degrees in a matter of days.

By now we all should know that it’s downright dangerous — and illegal in Washington state — to leave dogs, cats or any other animal confined in a car, where it could be harmed or killed by exposure to heat.

According to data published by the American Veterinary Medical Association, temperatures inside a closed car on an 80-degree day can rise to 99 degrees in just 10 minutes and 114 degrees in a half hour. On an 85-degree day, those numbers jump to 104 degrees in 10 minutes and 119 in a half hour.

Temperatures that high can cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage and even death, the Whatcom Humane Society said in a Facebook post.

Cars are not the only heat hazards pets face, though, as the pavement is just as dangerous to the bottoms of their feet.

According to a tweet Thursday by the National Weather Service, Seattle, asphalt temperatures on a 77-degree day can reach 125 degrees, which is hot enough to cause skin destruction in just 60 seconds. On an 86-degree day, asphalt temperatures can reach 135 degrees, which is hotter than the 131 degrees you need to fry an egg in just five minutes, according to the tweet.

“Press your hand firmly against the pavement for 7 sec. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws!” the weather service tweet read.

But what else can we do to help our pets and livestock stay comfortable and safe over the next couple of days and during any other heat waves that come our way this summer?

The Whatcom Humane Society offered these tips to protect pets and other animals from summer heat in its Facebook post Thursday:

▪ Make sure your pets and livestock have plenty of water and shade to stay hydrated and cool. “While fans can be comforting to animals, they may not have the same cooling effect on pets that they do on humans.”

▪ Though pets still need exercise when it is hot, care should be taken with older and overweight animals, short-nosed dogs and animals with thick coats. Limit exercise on hot days to the early morning or late evening.

▪ Many pets, especially those with pink noses or lighter-colored fur on their ears, need animal-safe sunscreen on noses and ear tips to prevent sunburn and skin cancer.

▪ Be aware of the signs of heat stress, which are very serious and can lead to death. Signs include heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, staggering gait, vomiting and a deep red or purple tongue.

▪ If your pet does become overheated, it is important to lower their body temperature by moving them to shade and applying cool (not cold) water to their body. Cool towels or ice packs can also be applied only to your pet’s head, neck and chest. Also allow them to drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Most importantly, get them to see a vet immediately.

▪ Though native wildlife acclimate to changes in the temperature, they can still be impacted by sudden heat surges. Ground-level bird baths with clean, cool water can provide relief to birds and squirrels, while misters can give hydration to wildlife and don’t require much water.

▪ Keeping your yard’s grass or ground cover longer in the summer also provides protection for native wildlife and moisture in the ground.