Mind that heat when you’re covered in fur.

As summer quickly approaches and temperatures all over the country continue to rise, it’s not only important to keep yourself safe in the heat, but also your pet.

Hot surfaces like the asphalt on the parking lot ground can burn your furry pal’s paws in just under 60 seconds. For many people, that’s just a quick walk from your car to the park.

One local park goer Richard Piert says he makes it a point to take his pets out for a walk before the sun begins to scorch.

“I’m just giving my dogs a little run before it gets too hot. Usually I’m out here earlier than this and gone by this time,” said Piert.

Piert says his dogs don’t enjoy spending excessive amounts of time in the sun regardless.

“They don’t want to stay out here that long anyway,” said Piert. “They’re miserable after a while. Although it’s grass and very little concrete, it still gets too hot for them.”

Another dog owner, Quinton Micheiu, advises people to “keep your dog off the concrete. Feet burning does happen. Also, the dog is lower to the ground and they’re covered in fur so you’ve got to imagine they’re going to absorb heat just a little bit different than a human does.”

Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so it’s important to ensure that they’re frequently replenished with fresh, clean water. Keeping them in the shade is always beneficial, in addition to not overexercising them.

Symptoms of overheating include excessive panting or drooling and increased heart rate or weakness. These symptoms can escalate to vomiting, diarrhea and seizures if your pet’s body temperature is over 104 degrees.

You may also believe that your pet’s fur is overheating them, however their coats are what help to block the sun; their fur serves as a protective shield in this way.