Spending the summer with your four-legged best friend is something special. But without safeguards in place, your trip to a sun-soaked paradise could take an unexpected detour to Central Kentucky Veterinary Center.

Fortunately, many easy and safe ways are available to protect your pet from heat-related hazards.

Hot under the collar: Heatstroke’s life-threatening risk to pets

Heatstroke is the number one pet hot weather hazard. This potentially fatal condition progresses rapidly—sometimes in less than an hour—and can lead to irreversible or fatal organ damage. Sadly, many pet owners miss the warning signs until their pet is in critical condition.

Early intervention is key to stopping heatstroke in its tracks. You can prevent this avoidable tragedy by monitoring your pet for mild heat stress signs, which include excessive panting, drooling, discomfort and restlessness, and mental dullness. As soon as your pet shows these signs, take them to a cool, ideally air conditioned, location and offer them cool or room temperature water to drink. 

Water dog: Increase your pet’s water intake and prevent dehydration

Dehydration is a common heat-related health concern for pets. Water is essential in pets, not only for almost every cellular process, but also for temperature regulation, because they pant (i.e., an evaporative cooling process) to dissipate heat. When a pet’s water intake doesn’t meet their hydration needs, they can become dehydrated, which leads to weakness, illness, and internal imbalance.

Ensure your pet stays hydrated by providing them with every opportunity to consume water. Our favorite strategies include:

  • Clean and accessible bowls — Water tastes better in a grime-free bowl, so clean your pet’s bowls daily, refill the bowls with fresh water several times a day, and place the bowls in easy-to-reach areas.
  • Water fountain — Cats and dogs are attracted to moving water and may more likely drink from a pet water fountain.
  • Frozen treats — Frozen fruits or vegetables (e.g., berries, carrots, watermelon, green beans) are favorite cold and crunchy snacks for pets. Or, freeze food-stuffed Kong toys or lickable mats smeared with peanut butter, fat-free plain yogurt, or wet pet food.
  • Soaked food — Pour warm water or low-sodium broth over your pet’s dry food to add hydration and boost the aroma. Let the food sit for 10 minutes.

Special pets: Identify your pet’s heat-related risk factors

Although heat can be dangerous for any pet, some are at heightened risk. If your pet meets any of the following criteria, take extra precautions during warm weather, and keep them indoors during extreme heat. At-risk pets include:

  • Brachycephalic breeds — Flat-faced breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs, French bulldogs, boxers, and shih tzus, cannot cool themselves as effectively because of their shortened muzzles and narrow airways.
  • Young and old pets — Puppies, kittens, and senior pets are less able to regulate their body temperature, which leaves them vulnerable to heat emergencies.
  • Overweight pets — Fat tissue traps heat, so overweight and obese pets have more difficulty cooling themselves.
  • Pets with medical conditions — Certain health conditions (e.g., endocrine disorders such as thyroid disease or Cushing’s, and heart and lung disease) impair a pet’s thermoregulatory centers.

Staycation: Leave your pet at home, not in the car 

Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle for any length of time. Parked cars act like greenhouses, creating an environment of trapped and increasingly hotter air that accelerates heatstroke. Despite cracked windows and being parked in the shade, your car’s interior temperatures can climb nearly 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes. 

If your summer road trip includes your pet, opt for drive-thrus and curbside pickup services, so you always stay with your pet and your car stays cool. If you are traveling alone, plan ahead to ensure your stops are pet-friendly.

Exercise caution: Outdoor activity precautions for pets

Warm weather doesn’t mean you have to put your pet’s daily exercise regimen on vacation—only that you need to modify their routine. Consider adjustments, such as:

  • Checking the weather — If the forecast includes a heat or humidity warning, plan to exercise your pet indoors.
  • Changing times — Avoid midday activities and stick with morning or evening hours. 
  • Limiting duration — Keep outdoor activities short and sweet to prevent overheating.
  • Reducing intensity — High-impact cardiovascular activities can hasten heat stress. Substitute walking for jogging, or swimming for a game of fetch.
  • Packing hydration — Pack water and a collapsible bowl for your pet and break frequently to avoid overexertion.
  • Checking surface temperatures — Asphalt can reach scorching temperatures and cause painful paw pad burns. Before walking your dog across asphalt or a similar surface, check the temperature. Press your palm on the surface—if you cannot comfortably hold your hand in place for seven seconds, stick to walking on the grass. 

Ensure this summer is a season to remember for all the right reasons by practicing heat safety when you are outdoors and while traveling. With a few extra precautions and attention to your pet’s needs, you can ensure neither of you lose your cool when things heat up. 

Contact the Central Kentucky Veterinary Center team for additional heat safety information or to schedule your pet’s next appointment.