My dog lay flat on the kitchen tile last July, panting hard, and I realized the apartment was 92 degrees inside. I filled a bowl with ice water and turned on every fan, but I still felt guilty. Dogs cannot tell you when they are overheating until it is serious.

Heat stroke in pets can be fatal within minutes. Breeds with flat faces — bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats — are especially vulnerable because they cannot pant efficiently. Here is what I do now, and what you should do too.

Know the Danger Signs

Excessive panting, drooling, red or pale gums, vomiting, wobbliness, or collapse — any of these means get to a vet immediately. While you are on the way, apply cool (not ice-cold) water to the paws and belly. Do not submerge them in ice water — it can constrict blood vessels and make cooling harder.

Never Leave Them in a Car

I know this is obvious. But every summer, people still do it. A car parked in 80°F weather can hit 120°F inside within 30 minutes. Cracking a window does almost nothing. If you cannot bring your pet inside at every stop, leave them at home.

Cooling Mat or Wet Towel

Pressure-activated cooling gels exist — they work and cost about twenty dollars — but a damp towel on the floor works nearly as well. Lay it flat where your pet likes to rest. The evaporation cools them down. Replace when it dries out or warms up. I rotate two towels in and out of the fridge on really hot days.

Paw Protection

Put your bare hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for their paws. Walk early in the morning or after sunset. Stick to grass and shaded routes. Booties exist but most dogs hate them — better to avoid hot pavement entirely.

Hydration Tricks

Some pets will not drink enough water on their own. Add a splash of low-sodium chicken broth to their water bowl to encourage drinking. Freeze treats inside ice cubes — they lick the ice to get the treat and hydrate in the process. My dog goes absolutely crazy for a frozen blueberry inside an ice cube.

Put out multiple water bowls. Change the water at least twice a day — warm, stale water is unappealing. I keep one bowl inside and one on the shaded porch.