Veterinarian offers tips on how to keep your pets cool amid blazing temps

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The dogs at Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford are definitely not suffering in this brutal heat. "We have tons of pool around the property, we have a sprinkler going all the time and we have a great stream at the edge of the property where the dogs can swim," said president and CEO Jenniger Angelucci. But if you don't have a body of water for your pet to play in, don't worry there are other options. "Whether its outside, [stay in] a covered area, a shed, inside you want to make sure the blinds are down, that there are areas that are shady in the house that the sun isn't just pouring in," said Dr. Carrie Rosen, a veterinarian at Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers. The dogs at Paws Crossed Animal Rescue in Elmsford are definitely not suffering in this brutal heat. "We have tons of pool around the property, we have a sprinkler going all the time and we have a great stream at the edge of the property where the dogs can swim," said President and CEO Jenniger Angelucci. But if you don't have a body of water for your pet to play in, don't worry there are other options. "Whether its outside, [stay in] a covered area, a shed, inside you want to make sure the blinds are down, that there are areas that are shady in the house that the sun isn't just pouring in," said Dr. Carrie Rosen, a veterinarian at Animal Specialty Center in Yonkers. If you don't have air conditioning make sure your pets have access to cooler areas. "They want to be near the kitchen where there's tile, or the bathroom, [give them] fresh water always, you can leave ice cubes in the water, and even just putting a fan on," said Dr. Rosen. Your dog may still want to take their daily walks, but be cognizant of the time of day and the length of the walk. And pay close attention to the pavement. If it's too hot for you to walk barefoot on, its too hot for them. Their paws can blister. "You might assume they're just at home grooming, but they are licking it and making it worse, so it's very good to inspect their feet at the end of the day," explained Dr. Rosen. And monitor your pet for signs of heat stroke. "Panting at rest, open mouth breathing, being restless as if they can't get comfortable, shaking, drooling more, collapse, weakness and vomiting," said Dr. Rosen. She also says if you suspect heat stroke, try to cool them off with a fan, wet towels, or spray them with some cool water, before bringing them to the hospital. If you are interested in adopting any of the dogs in this story, please click here . "