POLICE are warning dog owners not to leave dogs in cars amid the Met Office's current extreme heat warning.

"Even with the windows partly wound down your dog can suffer from heatstroke and die," the force said in a statement.

Warning signs of heatstroke are:

- Is the dog panting heavily?

- Is the dog drooling excessively?

- Does the dog appear lethargic or drowsy?

- Is the dog collapsed or vomiting?

Emergency First Aid for dogs:

For the best chance of survival, dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered gradually.

-Move him/her to a shaded/cool area.

- Immediately douse the dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock

- If possible, you can also use wet towels or place him/her in the breeze of a fan

-Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.

-Continue to douse the dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle but never so much that he/she begins to shiver

- Once the dog is cool, take him/her to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency

For more information visit rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/heatstroke