PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — With severe temperatures looming over the Rose City, it’s important for Portlanders to keep their pets cool.
The National Weather Service’s Portland office issued an Excessive Heat Warning that lasts from Thursday at noon to Sunday at 11 p.m. KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern estimated triple-digit temperatures through the weekend, prompting “dangerously hot conditions” for locals and their animal companions.
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Oregon Humane Society spokesperson Laura Klink told KOIN 6 it’s essential for pet owners to monitor their furry friends over the next few days.
“Our pets don’t know how to self-regulate themselves,” Klink said. “Sometimes we are their advocates. They rely on us to make those decisions and make sure that they’re safe and well cared for.”
She added that animal heat risks are dependent on factors like age, pre-existing health conditions or even their head type. Short-nosed, brachycephalic dogs — like French bulldogs, shih tzus and pugs — find it especially difficult to regulate their internal temperature.