The summer heat hasn’t loosened its grip on southeast Iowa with high temperatures predicted in the 90s for Washington through Friday.

Residents should limit their time outdoors during these heatwaves, and be mindful of possible overheating in pets. PAWS & More Animal Shelter Director Amber Talbot says pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water and make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun. While pet owners should be careful not to overexercise animals, Talbot gives this advice for going on walks, “Whenever possible stay in the grass or soft surfaces or at least stay off of that black asphalt that gets just boiling hot. We see a lot of damaged paw pads in the summertime and so that really just comes from those black hot surfaces. So definitely if it’s too hot and uncomfortable for your foot it’s going to be just as sensitive on their paw pads.”

It’s also important not to leave animals as well as infants or children in a parked car, even if the windows are open. Even when it feels cool outside, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly and risk heat stroke and possible death.