PHOENIX — As the world heats up, humans aren’t the only ones who need help during the dog days of summer. Pet owners need to consider how to protect and cool furry family members as intense—sometimes deadly—heat waves become more common.
“It’s really important to remember that if it’s hot outside for you, it’s hotter for your pets,” says Dr. Sandra Faeh, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dog breed, weight and chronic health issues also matter. “There’s no one specific temperature that we can say, ‘this is the right temperature to go outside,’ because they’re all different.”
In the US, more than 180 million people, or 63% of households, have at least one pet, according to a report by the American Pet Products Association. Pet-related spending is expected to top $150 billion this year, but many dog parents aren’t used to changing routines or buying warm-weather items. This summer’s heat makes it more normal.
Simple safety measures
Of course, the surest strategy against high temperatures is to let pets out in the morning and at night, advises Faeh. If you must take them out in the sun, take it easy and stick to shade, grass and dirt. The pavement can be a scorcher on the feet.
“We often think that their feet are thicker, they’re not susceptible to heat, but they are. They can blister, they can hurt,” Faeh said.
A paw-sitive measure: Faeh says dog booties made of thick fabric can help on hot surfaces. Dogs just need time to get used to walking them.
Pets may also experience sunburns, which may show up as lighter pigment on the nose, or around the face in short-haired breeds. Vets can prescribe a special sunscreen.
Read more: Why Sweat and Heat Make Your Skin So Sensitive
Providing relief even after brief sun exposure is just as important as sun protection. Cooling mats and small fans can help. And besides giving water to dogs, you can wet their bodies with cold water. But not too cold, Faeh warns.
“If they’re cooled too quickly, their vessels constrict and then it’s harder for them to cool,” he said.
During a power outage, Faeh suggests putting pets in a cooler part of the house such as a basement or a windowless room. Keep fresh water on hand and close any blinds or curtains.
Signs to look for if a dog is experiencing heat-related stress or heatstroke include restlessness, excessive panting, drooling and even vomiting. Cats show anxiety by open mouth breathing. In any of these situations, contact a veterinarian immediately, advises Faeh.
The importance of accessorizing
There are a wide range of pet accessories and devices available to help combat the heat, says Pete Scott, president of the American Pet Products Association. But some markets were caught off guard by the higher temperatures.
“You don’t think of Connecticut as 100 degrees,” said Scott, who is based in Stamford. “You have to be vigilant and be prepared. Like if it’s a week out when they say a heat wave is coming, everyone stock up on bottled water. But they don’t store for their pets either.”
Besides booties, protective gear can mean a sun visor and doggy sunglasses or goggles, if your pet wears them.
David Escalante started Kaykos Dog Shades out of his home in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016 after putting a makeshift pair of sunglasses on his family’s pit bull. Today, Escalante, his father and brother make each pair in his garage in San Jose. They’ve sold about 15,000 in the past three years.
Read more: What to Wear When It’s Really Hot Outside
Each pair has a drawstring, nose bridge rest and lenses that he says protect against ultraviolet light rays.
“We’re trying to push … to let people know, ‘Hey, you know, think about your dog’s eyes now that you’re outside and it’s super bright,'” said Escalante, who sells more during the heat wave.
Other helpful tools include cooling collars and raised dog beds that help with airflow, Scott says. You can also feed Fido chilled goodies like canine-friendly gelato, pup-sicles and ice cream mix.
“When it’s hot, we all want a little frozen treat. So are dogs, so are cats,” Scott said.
Indoor playtime
Another solution is an indoor dog park. Spencer Mak and his wife, Lauren, have operated two Mak Pack Dog Training & Boarding facilities in suburban Phoenix since 2020. The 10,000-square-foot Chandler location includes an indoor dog park with agility exercises, climbing obstacles and a bounce house. They offer a $10 drop-in rate and a $49 monthly membership.
At its busiest, the indoor area accommodates up to 100 dogs. In June, when the temperature rose, Mak saw 520 admissions compared to 300 in May—almost a 75% jump.
He is currently building an indoor doggy pool with ramps and floats.
And ugh, the car…
Summer also sees cases of people leaving or forgetting pets in hot cars. The temperature inside the car can exceed that outside very quickly.
“It’s better to just leave them at home and know they’ll wag their tails and kiss you when you walk in the door,” Faeh said.
Some vehicles include dashboard alerts if a child or pet is still in the back. There are also backseat car alarms on the market. But ultimately, “it always comes down to the person who owns the pet,” Scott said.
