It’s officially hot out there, Seattle! While humans are out soaking up the sun, our fur babies are feeling the sizzle, especially the ones walking around in full black fur coats 24/7!

To help us navigate the heatwave, Spooky the Black Cat joined his mom Harmony Soleil on DANCE 89.5 Mornings to share his Summer Pet Wellness Guide. Since Spooky is an official void (and counting down the seconds until Halloween), he knows a thing or two about surviving the heat.

Here are Spooky’s top tips to keep your dogs, cats, and small pets safe, cool, and hydrated this summer!

Hydration is key! Set up extra water bowls or pet fountains around your home. Change out standing water frequently so it stays cool and inviting. Dehydration can happen fast!

When hitting the streets with your pets this summer remember that asphalt can fry paw pads and overheat bodies in seconds. Stick to walks during early mornings or late evenings when the pavement is cool. Ensure outdoor pets have plenty of shaded areas on dirt or grass (not hot concrete!). Setting up an outdoor shelter in the shade is a great option for neighborhood cats!

And don’t forget, keep pets indoors during peak heat hours and go easy on the exercise.

Spooky also wants to remind you to NEVER leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. Temperatures inside a car can reach lethal levels in just minutes, even with the windows cracked.

There are also some friends that need some special care during the hottest months. Pets with flat faces (like Pugs and Persian cats) can’t pant as effectively and are much more susceptible to heat stroke. Older pets should stay in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible during heatwaves.

If your pet shows any of these symptoms, act fast and get them to a cool area immediately:

• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing

• Drooling or increased heart rate

• Mild weakness, stupor, or collapss

When you are taking time to cool off with your family and friends, keep a close eye on pets around pools. Chlorinated water, salt water, and undiluted pool chemicals can all be toxic or cause stomach upset.

After you hit the water, always rinse your pet with clean, fresh water after they’ve been swimming in chlorine or salt water.

Human sunscreens and bug sprays contain ingredients that are toxic if ingested or absorbed by animals. Stick to pet-specific products!

And here is Spooky’s hot top: Freeze a water bottle, wrap it in a towel, and slide it under your pet’s bed—or invest in a cooling mat!

Finally, if your pet is a houdini like Spooky (this kid can get out of ANYTHING!) Double-check that your pet’s identification tags and microchip info are up-to-date in case they slip out an open door while chasing a breeze.

Spooky’s Final Verdict? Wrap up summer safely so we can all get to crunchy leaves, pumpkin spice, and Spooky Season as fast as possible!

Listen to the full segment from DANCE 89.5 Mornings below and find more tips about how to keep your pets safe this summer from the ASPCA!