With the mercury on the rise, it not only important to take care of yourself, but your pets too.

Gary Overs, the owner of Gary Overs Kenneling and Obedience, says the best thing for dogs is to simply keep them at home.

When it gets hot out, Overs said going for any type of run or playing fetch isn’t a good idea as the dog can overheat and the hot pavement can be hurt their feet.

He recommended that the best time to take your dog out for a walk is in the evening as the sun is going down and the temperature starts to cool off.

There is also the danger of leaving a dog alone in a hot vehicle as they can heat up very fast and can cause the dog distress.

Overs describes the signs that a dog is overheating.

“Signs that you look for is almost like an anxious panting like they can't recover from it. They just totally can't get comfortable,” he said.

In order to keep your cool, make sure you are checking their water dish frequently and changing the water.

“If it is outside provide it with shelter like shade whether it's by a tree or by something that the dog can escape the direct hit of the sun,” Overs said.

If you are around any lakes or bodies of water, keep your dog on a leash always look before your dog begins drinking. Blue-Green Algae that can be found in many lakes in Saskatchewan are lethal for dogs.

Inside the city, the bylaw states that all dogs that are off the premise of their owners must be on a leash no longer than two metres in length. Any dogs not on a leash or on a leash longer than two metres will be considered running at-large.

Other tips to keep your dog cool include having a kiddie pool for them to splash around in or hosing them down with a garden hose.

Overs said there are also products like cool coats, cool bandanas and cool beds.

He added having your dog well-groomed can also play a role in keeping your dog cool. Double-coated breeds such as Shepherds and Retrievers have undercoats that, is they aren’t brushed out, can heat up.

Tricks like putting ice cubes in the dogs drinking water and adding water to their food can help.

If your dog is showing signs of diarrhea, Overs said not to be alarmed as it is common among dogs during hot days.