Photographs by Stephanie Gibson Lepore
Summer is a time for families to enjoy the outdoors and, for many, that includes spending quality time with pets. However, the warmer months also bring unique challenges for pet care, especially in regions like ours where temperatures can soar. It’s essential for families to be proactive in ensuring their pets’ safety and well-being during this season. Involving children in animal care can be both fun and educational. Teach kids the importance of providing fresh water, recognizing signs of overheating, and practicing gentle handling. Supervised interactions between pets and children can strengthen bonds and promote empathy.
Photographs by Stephanie Gibson Lepore
Hydration and Shade
Pets are more susceptible to dehydration during hotter weather. Always provide fresh, cool water, and ensure your furry friend has access to shaded areas. Avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Instead, opt for early-morning or late-evening walks. Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt—being so close to the ground, their bodies can heat up quickly. While the pads on dogs’ paws are tougher than our skin, hot pavement can still cause burns. A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t stand barefoot on the pavement for 10 seconds, then it is too hot for your dog to walk on, too.
Recognizing Heatstroke
Overheating can result in a life-threatening emergency called heatstroke, caused by prolonged exposure to hot or humid environments and marked by elevated body temperature. Dogs only have sweat glands on their paws, so their primary method of cooling down is by panting.
Short-muzzle breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, and boxers cannot pant as effectively and are at a higher risk. If you notice your pet is panting heavily, seeking shade, or whining, bring them into cool air conditioning with access to water. You can also wet them with cool water and place them in front of a fan. Ensure double-coated breeds such as Siberian huskies, Pomeranians, and Great Pyrenees are wet down to the skin. If your dog continues to excessively pant and drool or has difficulty breathing, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, or seizures, take them to the vet immediately.
Grooming and Sun Protection
Regular grooming helps pets stay cool by removing excess fur. However, you should not shave double-coated breeds, as they rely on their fur for temperature regulation. Pets—especially those with light-colored or thin coats—can suffer from sunburn. Use pet-safe sunscreen on exposed areas such as noses and ears, and limit sun exposure.
Insect and Pest Control
Summer brings an increase in insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Ensure your pet is up to date on preventive treatments. After outdoor activities, check for ticks and other pests. Avoid using human insect repellents on pets, as they can be toxic.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
If you’re planning trips or outdoor adventures, never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle, even with windows cracked. Even if it is only 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside the car can increase by 40 degrees in just one hour, and much of the temperature increase occurs during the first 15 to 30 minutes. It may be tempting to leave pets in an air-conditioned car with the engine on while running errands, but it is unsafe to leave animals unattended in cars. When boating or swimming, ensure your pet wears a life jacket and is always supervised. Avoid letting pets drink pool, ocean, or lake water. Rinse off dogs after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.
More Tips for Healthy Pets
Photographs by Stephanie Gibson Lepore
- Visit the vet for an early-summer checkup, including a heartworm test if your pet isn’t already on year-round preventive medication.
- Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
- Use caution when applying any herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers to your yard, and keep pets away from treatment areas until they are dry or have been appropriately watered. It’s also best to keep citronella candles, tiki torch products, and insect coils out of pets’ reach.
- Be aware of plants that may be poisonous to your pets and take precautions to prevent unwanted exposure. Azaleas, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas are toxic to cats and dogs. (Visit aspca.org for a full list of poisonous plants.)
- Never use fireworks around pets, which can result in severe burns or trauma. Many pets are fearful of loud noises and can become scared or disoriented.