Summer Pet Safety Tips

Summer is officially sizzling, it is important to keep your pets safe, happy, and cool when it's time to burn off some energy. 

When those daytime temperatures start creeping into the 80s and beyond, that midday sun becomes a lot more intense than it looks. To keep those sweet paws safe and spirits high, we highly recommend shifting outdoor walks and playtime to the early morning or dusk. Taking advantage of these cooler windows gives both the air and the pavement a chance to chill out, which is the absolute best way to prevent heat exhaustion and keep sensitive paw pads from getting burnt.

At The Bond Between, we always share these summer safety tips with our Foster Families—and we want these resources to be accessible to everyone who has or cares for a pet, too! 

Quick Tips for Hot Days:

• The 7-Second Rule: Before heading out, place the back of your hand flat on the asphalt. If you can’t comfortably hold it there for 7 seconds, it is too hot for puppy paws. Stick to shady grass routes instead.

• Short & Sweet: When the humidity and heat peak in the middle of the day, outdoor time should be strictly for quick potty breaks save the long strolls and games of fetch for the cooler hours (early morning/dusk).

• Do not leave your Cat or Dog unattended in a car: It is illegal in Minnesota and it is not safe for them. 

• Keep your pets indoor during the day and keep their water bowls full all the time. 

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot sweat efficiently through their skin; they rely almost entirely on panting, drooling, and releasing heat through their paw pads. When their environment or physical activity generates more heat than their bodies can dissipate, they slide down a dangerous, rapid timeline.

A normal body temperature for a dog or cat is 99.5°F to 102.5°F (37.5°C to 39.2°C). Once that temperature rises, they enter one of two clinical phases: Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke

It’s so important to know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in our furry friends. Both conditions can escalate quickly and become incredibly dangerous, so knowing what to look for—and acting fast—can make all the difference.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion 

Heat exhaustion is the body's warning light. It occurs when an animal's natural cooling mechanisms (panting, vasodilation) are working at maximum capacity and beginning to struggle, but have not yet completely failed. At this stage, there is no permanent tissue or organ damage.

Body Temperature: 

Typically elevated between 103°F and 104.9°F.

How the Animal Behaves:

• Severe, frantic, or constant panting (dogs).

• Slowing down, seeking shade, or refusing to move.

• Pacing, restlessness, or distressed vocalizations (especially in cats).

• Sweaty paw pads.

Physical Signs:

• Gums that are bright pink or red, and may feel dry or sticky due to early dehydration.

• Mild weakness or lethargy.

The Verdict: 

This is a serious situation, but if you immediately remove the pet from the heat, provide shade, cool water, and air circulation, they can usually recover without long-term consequences.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Heat stroke occurs when the animal's internal temperature climbs so high that their thermoregulatory system completely fails. When the body's core temperature crosses the critical threshold, a massive, body-wide inflammatory response is triggered. The extreme heat begins to "cook" proteins, damaging the blood vessels, lining of the GI tract, and major organs.

Body Temperature: 

Crucially high, typically 105°F (40.6°C) or higher.

The Defining Feature: Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction. Because the brain is highly sensitive to heat, the pet will display neurological symptoms.

How the Animal Behaves:

• Stumbling, wobbling (ataxia), or complete collapse.

• Stupor, glazed/glassy eyes, or unresponsiveness.

• Seizures, muscle tremors, or loss of consciousness.

Physical Signs:

• Gums that turn dark red, purple, blue, pale, or muddy brown.

• Vomiting or diarrhea, which is often bloody (as the intestinal lining breaks down).

• Spontaneous bleeding (nosebleeds, or tiny red/purple bruises called petechiae on the belly or gums).

The Verdict: This is a catastrophic medical emergency. Without immediate, active veterinary intervention, heat stroke leads to organ failure, blood clotting disorders (DIC), shock, and death.

Heat Stoke is a medical emergency, so take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. At The Bond Between Vet Center, we are currently accepting same day appointments for any medical emergencies. 

Heat Exhausion vs Heat Stroke Comparison Table

Feature	Heat Exhaustion	Heat Stroke
Body Temperature	103°F to 104.9°F	105°F+ (40.6°C+)
Mental State	Tired, anxious, seeks shade	Confused, unresponsive, seizing, collapsed
Gum Color	Bright pink to red (dry/sticky)	Dark red, purple, blue, or pale
Brain/Organs	Stressed but functional	Damaged; risk of multi-organ failure
Bleeding Signs	None	Pinpoint bruising, bloody vomit/diarrhea
Action Needed	Immediate active cooling & rest	Emergency ER Veterinary Care

Dog vs. Cat Differences

• Dogs are much more prone to exertional heat stroke. A highly motivated dog (like a retriever or herding dog) will literally play fetch until they collapse, ignoring their body’s distress signals. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs are at extreme risk because their compromised airways make it incredibly difficult to pant effectively.

• Cats are generally smarter about self-regulating in the heat, but they still succumb if trapped in hot spaces (like cars, sheds, or sunrooms). Panting is a massive red flag in a cat. Since cats rarely pant, a panting cat is almost always in severe heat stress or respiratory distress. They will also try to groom themselves excessively, using their saliva as a makeshift sweating mechanism.

Critical First Aid Rules: "Cool, Don't Freeze"

If you suspect an animal has heat exhaustion or heat stroke, do not use ice or freezing cold water.

• Why? Ice-cold water constricts the blood vessels in the skin. This essentially traps the boiling heat inside the animal's core, making their internal temperature rise even faster. It can also trigger dangerous shivering, which generates more heat.

• What to do: Use cool, room-temperature water to wet the animal down, apply wet towels to their groin, armpits, and neck, and keep a fan blowing directly on them. Never leave a wet towel draped over them without a fan, as it will trap the heat like a greenhouse.

• Go to the Vet: Even if you successfully cool the animal down to 103°F at home, you must take them to a vet. The internal organ damage, kidney failure, and blood clotting issues caused by heat stroke can take 24 to 72 hours to fully manifest.

  
  

Thank you for everything you do to keep your pets safe, comfortable, and healthy as we navigate the hot summer.