Pet owners discuss heat safety as temperatures soar across the show me state

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

With temperatures heating things up across Mid-Missouri, ABC 17 News looked into how how pet owners can keep their furry friend cool.

The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team is tracking heat index values in the triple digits across the region through Tuesday.

The Humane Society of Missouri recommends on days when temperatures reach more than 90 degrees, to keep pets indoors as much as possible. However, Saturday's high heat did not stop dog owners from getting out to Twin Lakes Dog Park in Columbia.

ABC 17 News spoke to dog owners about how they keep their dogs cool. Timothy Goretti, a dog owner, said a lot of water and swimming is key for his dog.

"If it's a real hot day and he won't even come out here, we'll just spray the hose at him and he runs around it does his thing," Goretti said. "If I know he's going to be hot and out in public, we got water."

Hannah McGrath, another dog owner, said on days when it's extra hot she tries to keep her dogs outside for no more than 30 minutes at a time.

"She is a double coated dog because she's mixed with a shepherd, so she gets extremely hot in the heat," McGrath said.

McGrath also discussed the importance of grooming her dog in the warmer months due to its thick fur.

"Periodically, because she is a big swimmer, she gets a little musty smelling. So we typically take her to like, a dog wash and then I brush her myself with just like, undercoat, brushes and everything," McGrath said.

According to the Humane Society of Missouri, if your pet is displaying symptoms of heat-related sickness, place a cool and wet towel around their neck. You can also pour cool water over their body.