Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With dangerous heat expected to continue through the Fourth of July holiday weekend, local veterinarians are urging pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their animals safe from both high temperatures and fireworks-related stress.

Dr. Brett Peterson, owner and veterinarian at Lake Town Animal Hospital in Springfield, said summer is typically one of the busiest times of the year for veterinary clinics, and extreme heat can quickly become dangerous for pets.

“We do see heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion,” Peterson said. “Sometimes we also see injuries to pets’ paws from hot pavement.”

Pet owners may underestimate how quickly animals can overheat, particularly during periods of high heat and humidity, Peterson said.

“It doesn’t take long,” he said. “They can overheat very quickly.”

Peterson recommends keeping pets indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible during extreme heat events. When dogs need exercise or bathroom breaks, he said owners should limit outdoor time and schedule walks during the cooler parts of the day.

“Try to do walks early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s not quite as hot,” Peterson said. “If your dog still needs exercise, consider shorter, more frequent walks instead of one long walk.”

Pet owners should also be mindful of pavement temperatures, which can become dangerously hot even when air temperatures are lower.

“If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot, it’s too hot for your pet,” Peterson said.

The veterinarian also encouraged cat owners to keep their pets indoors whenever possible. While some feral or outdoor cats may be difficult to transition indoors, Peterson said they should at least have access to shade, shelter and fresh water.

As communities prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, Peterson said fireworks remain a major source of anxiety for many pets, particularly dogs.

“Some animals tolerate them, but we have a lot of dogs that become pretty anxious with fireworks,” he said.

Pet owners can help by creating a safe, quiet space for animals inside the home. Some pets may benefit from anti-anxiety medications prescribed by a veterinarian, while others may respond to products such as compression wraps or ThunderShirts.

“We don’t want to completely sedate them,” Peterson said. “We just want to take the edge off so they’re not stressing themselves to the point where they could hurt themselves.”

He added that pet owners should avoid bringing animals to fireworks displays unless they are already comfortable with loud noises and large crowds.

Peterson also reminded owners to keep pets current on flea, tick and parasite prevention throughout the summer months.

“We’re seeing a lot of fleas this time of year, and we’re seeing more ticks than we used to,” he said. “Even indoor pets can be exposed because fleas and ticks can come in on clothing or shoes.”

As temperatures remain elevated heading into the holiday weekend, Peterson said the best approach is to limit pets’ exposure to the heat and provide them with a safe, comfortable environment indoors.

To learn more or to set up a preventative care plan, contact Lake Town Animal Hospital by calling or texting 217-529-4211, or visit the practice online at laketownanimalhospital.com.