Because your pet lives in Florida where our year-round climate is warm, they can likely tolerate the heat pretty well. However, they are still at risk for heat-related illness when summer temperatures skyrocket. Pets who live in the South suffer heatstroke most often, and many do not recover from this deadly condition. To help you learn how to prevent your four-legged friend from developing any of the scorching summer’s heat-related conditions, our Bayview Animal Hospital team presents this pet safety do’s and don’ts list.

Do: Learn heatstroke signs in pets

Recognizing heatstroke signs and acting quickly to cool them down improves the likelihood that your pet will recover. Before their body temperature increases, your pet may exhibit heat stress signs such as weakness, muscle spasms, vomiting, or diarrhea. Once your pet’s body temperature rises significantly, heatstroke signs will impact their neurologic and cardiac functions, and their blood’s clotting abilities. Eventually, heatstroke results in damage to all their body’s organs. Pets’ heatstroke signs include:

  • Excessive panting
  • Red gums
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Confusion or incoordination
  • Bleeding or bruising
  • Seizures
  • Collapse
  • Death

Do: Keep pets indoors during peak midday sun

Unless swimming is your dog’s favorite activity, exercise them during the cooler morning and evening hours to maximize the time you can safely spend outside. Keep midday potty breaks short to minimize their time in the hot sun, and encourage your pet to perform indoor activities, including chewing, games, playing with toys, or training. 

Do: Provide fresh water while outdoors with your pet

A hot, dehydrated pet cannot cool down effectively and may feel tired, nauseated, or have muscle cramps. Provide your pet with plenty of fresh water while outdoors, including on long walks. Always bring a collapsible bowl and enough clean, fresh water for your pet during any Florida summertime outing.

Do: Use cooling pet products 

Cooling pet vests and beds are made of innovative materials that use evaporation or heat transfer to cool your four-legged friend continuously for several hours. These products are extremely helpful for pets who need a lot of outdoor exercise or need to spend time outside for their mental health and wellbeing. Sprinklers, wading pools, and backyard swimming pools can also provide cooling, but ensure you always supervise pets around water.

Don’t: Leave unattended pets in the yard or a vehicle

No matter whether the windows are open, a vehicle can heat like an oven on hot and even relatively cool days, exposing a pet within to extreme heat and increasing their heatstroke risk. Leaving your pet in your yard without adequate shade or water has a similar effect. Always supervise your pet when they spend time outdoors in the heat, so you can bring them inside or ask them to take a break when they appear too hot. Encourage your pet to stay in a covered area, because shade can dramatically decrease ground temperatures, offering your four-legged friend a cool resting spot.

Don’t: Allow high-risk pets to spend too much time outdoors

Pets who have a high heatstroke risk include flat-faced (i.e., brachycephalic) breeds, seniors, overweight pets, and those with heart, lung, endocrine, or airway conditions. These pets overheat quickly and experience severe heat-related issues, so ensure they stay indoors. If you must take an at-risk pet outside when the temperature is high, minimize the time spent in the heat and return them to your air-conditioned home as quickly as possible.

Don’t: Let pets walk or stand on hot surfaces

Asphalt and metal heat up extremely quickly in the sun and can burn your pet if they stand on or lean against the hot surface. To prevent your furry pal from burning their paw pads, encourage them to stay on a concrete sidewalk, and choose dirt, grass, or gravel paths for walks. Outfitting your dog with booties may also help if they have sensitive paws. To prevent moisture accumulation between your dog’s toes, ensure you take off their booties immediately after your walk.

Don’t: Shave your dog’s fur completely

Your pet’s fur has multiple layers that help them with temperature regulation. While many pets benefit from a shorter summer cut, you should not completely shave them. In addition, a super-short cut can expose your pet’s skin to sunburn, so ask your groomer for advice.

Follow our pet heat safety do’s and don’ts to help keep your four-legged friend comfortable and healthy this summer. Schedule your pet’s summer wellness examination with our Bayview Animal Hospital team. If your pet exhibits heatstroke or heat-related illness signs when our hospital is closed, head to your nearest veterinary emergency facility for immediate care.