© Getty Images

Signs of overheating - Humans and animals have similar reactions to being overheated.

© Shutterstock

Signs of overheating -

Common symptoms are confusion, agitation, and fatigue. In extreme cases, there can be seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea.

© iStock

What happens to the body - This is because the brain is the most sensitive part of the body to overheating and it controls all of our physical reactions.

© Shutterstock

What happens to the body -

If you or your pet experience these kinds of symptoms, it's important to seek medical help right away.

© iStock

What happens to the body -

Other parts of the body are susceptible to overheating too. For example, the circulatory system will send blood to the surface of the skin to release heat, which puts a strain on the heart. This also explains why your face turns red!

© Shutterstock

What happens to the body - Both animals and humans either sweat or pant in an attempt to reduce body temperature. This can lead to rapid dehydration.

© Shutterstock

Hydration - This is why it's most important to provide lots of fresh water for your pet.

© iStock 

Hydration -

It's best to leave multiple bowls around the house and keep refreshing them with cool water. You can even add ice cubes!

© Shutterstock

Hydration - It's recommended to provide more than one water source for all kinds of pets during a heat wave, even hamsters or rabbits. If one water source leaks or spills, they'll always have a backup.

© Shutterstock

Hydration -

Wild birds and other little wild critters may also need a helping hand during a heat wave. If you have a garden, it's a nice idea to leave out some bowls of fresh water for them.

© Shutterstock

Make your own bird bath -

Placing a rock in the middle of a large bowl of water creates a simple bird bath they can use to cool down.

© Getty Images 

Shade -

An animal should never be left in an environment without shade during a heat wave.

© Shutterstock

Shade -

If your dog is confined to the outdoors, make sure there's a shady area where they can rest.

© Shutterstock

Swimming -

A children's paddling pool is also much appreciated for a cool dip!

© Shutterstock

Swimming -

If you're lucky enough to have an in-ground swimming pool, it's best not to let your dog swim unsupervised in case he or she struggles to get out.

© iStock

The little guys -

If you have small caged animals like guinea pigs, it's best to bring them indoors. They can be kept cool by placing the cage on a tiled floor or in the bath tub.

© Shutterstock

The little guys -

You can also set up a fan so they get proper air circulation, as well as place an icy bottle of water inside the cage.

© Shutterstock

Dangerous mistakes -

This should go without saying, but a pet should never be left in a locked car. Even if it's just for a few minutes and a window is rolled down.

© Shutterstock

Dangerous mistakes -

Heat can build up to deadly temperatures in a car within a matter of minutes, and your furry pet is more susceptible to the heat than you are.

© Getty Images 

Hot paws - A dog's sensitive paws can be burned by touching hot pavement or sand for only a few seconds.

© Shutterstock

Hot paws -

Check if it's too hot by placing your palm on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, then it's too hot for a paw.

© Shutterstock

Hot paws -

To get around this, you can get your dog some little shoes to protect their feet, or go for walks in the early mornings and late evenings when it's cooler.

© Getty Images 

Cool feet -

The feet are actually a good place to start when it comes to cooling down your pet. Running cool tap water over their paws can help to reduce their temperature.

© Shutterstock

Au natural -

Long haired and fluffy pet breeds shouldn't always be shaved in the summer, despite what you might think.

© Getty Images 

Au natural - Dog breeds like the Samoyed and cat breeds like the Persian shed their fur in summer to cool themselves down. Shaving leaves them exposed and at risk of sunburn!

© Shutterstock

Protect the nose - Dogs with pink ears and noses are more sensitive and likely to get burned. Add a little sunblock to their noses and ears before heading out for your walk.

© iStock

Special breeds -

Special pets also require special care. Breeds such as Pugs, Pekingese, and Persians (or any dogs or cats with flat faces) will struggle to pant effectively. Panting is one of the main ways animals cool themselves down, so it's necessary to be extra careful with these breeds.

© Getty Images 

Special breeds - Ideally these pets should be kept in air conditioned environments or have access to a cooling mat.

© Shutterstock

Fishy friends - Don't forget to look out for your aquatic friends too! Fish tanks can heat up during a heat wave, which is dangerous for certain types of fish.

© Shutterstock

Fishy friends -

You can keep them cool by changing out 20% of the water regularly, or by placing an ice pack sealed in a ziplock bag directly into the water (the ziplock bag prevents any leakage, which could be dangerous).

See also: How to survive heat waves

© Shutterstock