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Every dog owner knows their pup has to go outside at some point, even on hot summer days, but it is important to make sure you and your pet are prepared to deal with the sun and heat.

At Superdogs Daycare in Merrimack, the pups were having some fun in the sun.

But when temperatures swell into the 80s and 90s, pets can overheat quickly.

"Signs of overheating — their tongue is really red. Their gums may be very red. Their gums may be a little sticky — that means they are dehydrated,” said Judy Threlfall, owner of Superdogs Daycare.

Threlfall has all sorts of fun water fixtures at her daycare to keep dogs cool.

“Out here we have several water stations just so we're sure all the dogs have availability to get water when they need it," Threlfall said.

But not everyone has a set up like hers, which is why she says it’s important to take your dogs to a shady area and bring plenty of water.

"Travel water bowls -- take one with you everywhere,” Threlfall said. “Always have water with you.”

Dogs are typically pretty good about showing when they’re in distress by panting or laying down.

If you notice yours may be overheating, try wetting a towel with cold water and wipe down their paws and neck area.

"If you are concerned your dog is not cooling down quickly enough, you can put alcohol on their feet pads. This also helps them cool down because it evaporates,” Threlfall said.

Even your dog’s food can help keep them cool on hot days.

"You can take your dog’s food and put it in a kong — maybe put a couple blueberries in there, squish them, a little bit of yogurt, put it in the refrigerator its cool, and there’s your dog’s evening meal,” Threlfall said.

Most importantly, experts say if it’s too hot to take your dog to the park or on a walk, there's nothing wrong with taking them home and trying again at night or in the morning when the temperatures are cooler.

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