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A Vet's Guide to a Pet-Friendly Summer

June 29, 2026

Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors, but rising temperatures bring unique risks for our pets. Because cats and dogs handle heat differently than humans, proactive care is essential to protect them from dehydration, sunburn, and heatstroke. To help you navigate the sunny months ahead, our veterinary team has compiled the ultimate guide to summer safety tips.

The Importance of Fresh, Clean Water

Hydration is your pet’s primary defense against the heat. Dogs lose moisture rapidly through panting, and cats through grooming or sweating through their paws. To prevent dehydration:

Multiply water stations: Place multiple water bowls around your home and in shaded outdoor areas.

Keep it fresh: Change the water frequently. Stagnant water can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful organisms.

On-the-go hydration: Carry a collapsible bowl and a separate bottle of fresh water whenever you take your dog out for a walk or travel.

Never Leave Pets in a Parked Vehicle

One of the most critical summer safety tips for dogs and cats is to never leave them inside a parked car. On an 85°F day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rocket to 102°F within just ten minutes, even with the windows cracked. Within 30 minutes, it can reach a deadly 120°F. Leaving a pet in a vehicle puts them at extreme risk for heatstroke. If you have errands to run where your pet cannot join you inside, the safest choice is to leave them at home in the air conditioning.

Safe Outdoor Walks: Timing and Pavement Safety

Exercise is important, but midday summer heat can easily overwhelm your dog. Adjust your routine to protect your pet from physical exhaustion and thermal burns. Schedule your strolls for the early morning or late evening when ambient temperatures and surfaces are significantly cooler. Whenever possible, walk your dog on grassy paths or shaded trails instead of sidewalks.

Tip: Place the back of your hand firmly against the pavement for seven seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws and can cause painful blisters and burns.

Outdoor Toxins and Plant Exposure

Summer can increase your pet’s exposure to lawn chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, citronella products, and toxic plants or flowers. Cats and dogs may come into contact with these substances while exploring yards, patios, parks, or outdoor enclosures, and grooming or licking afterward can increase the risk of ingestion. Check outdoor spaces carefully and keep potentially harmful products and plants out of reach to help create a safer environment.

View this resource to identify pet toxins by the season here.

Parasite Prevention

Warm weather brings an increase in fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which can expose both cats and dogs to irritation, skin infections, and in some regions even heartworm disease. Even indoor pets may be at risk, since parasites can enter the home on people, other pets, or through open doors and windows. Keeping your pet on a veterinarian-recommended parasite prevention plan throughout the summer is one of the simplest ways to protect their health.

Sunburn and UV risk

Cats and dogs can both develop sunburn, especially those with white or light-colored fur, thin hair coats, or exposed areas such as the ears, nose, and belly. Repeated sun exposure may also increase the risk of skin damage over time. To help protect your pet, limit time in intense midday sun and make sure they always have access to shade, especially during outdoor play, walks, or rest time in patios and enclosures.

Pool and Water Safety

While a dip in the pool seems like the perfect way to cool off, water presents serious hazards for pets.

Never assume your pet is a natural swimmer.

Never leave a cat or dog unattended near a swimming pool, lake, or beach.

Never let your dog swim or drink lake or pond water if you spot green, blue-green, or red paint-like streaks of algae or thick, scummy foam floating on the surface or shoreline

Invest in a properly fitted life jacket, especially for heavy-bodied or short-legged breeds (like Bulldogs or Pugs)

Don’t let your pet ingest large amounts of pool or ocean water, as it can lead to stomach upset and dehydration

If your pet goes for a swim, be sure to rinse them off so the chlorine or saltwater doesn’t irritate their skin and coat.

Grooming Tips: Protect, Don't Shave

A pet's coat acts as a natural insulator, protecting them from both the cold and the summer heat. Regular brushing removes trapped undercoat and dead fur, allowing air to circulate better against their skin. Remember, avoid shaving double-coated breeds! Shaving breeds like Huskies, Golden Retrievers, or German Shepherds permanently damages their coat structure and robs them of their natural temperature regulation. It can also expose their delicate skin to direct sunlight, causing sunburn.

Fireworks and Summer Activity Safety

Summer festivities, including backyard barbecues and holiday celebrations, can introduce stressors and toxins to your pet's environment. Fireworks, thunderstorms, and loud gatherings can cause severe anxiety for many cats and dogs. Keep your pets indoors in a quiet, secure room with white noise or soft music playing to mask outdoor chaos.

Surfing may be a popular activity in the summer but it’s important to keep your pet from counter surfing this summer, especially around common barbecue foods. Onions, garlic, grapes, chocolate, alcoholic beverages, and bones can be highly toxic or cause severe gastrointestinal blockages.

Knowing the Symptoms of Overheating

Heat exhaustion can rapidly escalate into heatstroke. Recognizing the early warning signs can save your pet's life. If you notice any of the following symptoms, move your pet to an air-conditioned room immediately, apply cool (not freezing) water to their fur, and us right away.

Symptoms in Dogs:

Excessive, loud, or frantic panting

Thick, ropey saliva or extreme drooling

Bright red, dark, or purple gums and tongue

Lethargy, weakness, or stumbling

Vomiting or diarrhea

Symptoms in Cats:

Panting or open-mouth breathing (highly abnormal for cats)

Rapid breathing or racing heart rate

Extreme grooming in an effort to cool down

Lethargy, stumbling, or collapse

Redness of the mouth or tongue

We Are Here to Help Keep Your Pets Safe!

Your pet's health and happiness are our top priorities. If you need veterinary advice regarding summer care, want to discuss anxiety management options for fireworks, or suspect your dog or cat needs immediate medical help this summer, please call at (845) 361-3600. Our team is always here to provide the expert care your furry companions deserve.