Some pets overheat much faster than others. Knowing your pet's risk level helps you plan ahead on hot days.

Pets at the highest risk include:

  • Flat-faced breeds. Bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, and similar pets struggle to pant efficiently. They can overheat in minutes, even at moderate temperatures.
  • Thick-coated pets. Heavy or double coats trap heat. Note that shaving double-coated dogs down to the skin removes their natural insulation against both heat and sunburn, so avoid shaving them completely.
  • Very young and senior pets. Their bodies regulate temperature less effectively.
  • Overweight pets. Extra body mass holds heat.
  • Pets with health conditions. Heart, lung, and breathing problems raise risk. So does any illness that affects panting or hydration. If your pet has a condition requiring fluid restriction, follow your vet’s specific guidance rather than forcing extra water.
  • Dogs that overexert. High-energy dogs often won't stop themselves. You have to stop them.

Risk also rises with environmental conditions. Concrete and asphalt get far hotter than the air. Direct sun, poor airflow, and humid days make panting less effective because evaporation—the main way dogs cool themselves—slows down when the air is already full of moisture.

Check your pet against this list before you plan walks, car trips, or time outdoors. If your pet has two or more risk factors, treat every warm day as a high-risk day.

Set a Safe Daily Routine for Hot Days (Walk Times and Water Breaks)

On hot days, walk your dog early in the morning and again in the evening. Aim for before roughly 9 a.m. and after roughly 6 p.m., when pavement and air are cooler. Skip the midday walk entirely. If you must go out, keep it short and stick to grass or shade.

Test the pavement with the back of your hand for about five seconds. If it is too hot to hold comfortably, it is too hot for paws.

Offer water before, during, and after every walk. Carry a bottle and a bowl. Refresh the water bowl at home at least twice a day, and more often in hot weather. For indoor cats, the biggest risks are often "sun traps"—rooms with closed windows and direct afternoon sun, enclosed balconies, or conservatories. Check that your cat always has access to a cooler room away from direct sunlight.

Build water breaks into the day:

  • Morning: fresh water before the first walk.
  • After walks: a short rest and water in the shade.
  • Midday: a quiet indoor break with water within reach.
  • Evening: fresh water before the second walk.

Keep walks short and let your pet set the pace. On very hot days, replace a long walk with brief yard time or indoor play. If you rely on AC to keep your home cool, have a backup plan—such as a pet sitter or neighbor check-in—in case of a power outage on a hot day.

Spot the Warning Signs of Heatstroke Early

Heatstroke gets worse fast. Catching the first signs gives you time to act. Check your pet often on hot days, especially after walks or time outdoors.

Watch for these early warning signs:

  • Heavy, rapid panting that does not slow down after resting
  • Excessive drooling or thick saliva
  • Bright red gums or tongue
  • Restlessness, pacing, or trouble settling
  • Seeking shade or cool floors and refusing to move
  • Warm skin and ears that feel hotter than usual

As heatstroke progresses, signs become more serious. Call your vet right away if you see:

  • Staggering, weakness, or collapse
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Confusion or a dazed look
  • Tremors or seizures
  • Gums that turn pale, gray, or blue

Cats often hide discomfort. Look for open-mouth breathing, hiding, and refusal to eat or drink. Any of these signs on a hot day means act now. Do not wait to see if your pet improves on its own.

Emergency Response: What to Do While Calling the Vet

Heatstroke is an emergency. Call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately, and start cooling your pet at the same time—do not wait for the phone call to end before you begin cooling.

Follow these steps:

  1. Move your pet out of the heat and into shade or a cool room.
  2. Wet the coat with cool—not ice-cold—water. Focus on the neck, belly, armpits, and inner thighs.
  3. Place a fan near your pet to speed cooling. Keep air moving over the wet coat.
  4. Offer small amounts of cool water to drink. Do not force water into the mouth.
  5. Keep your pet calm and still. Struggle and panting raise body temperature further.
  6. Transport to the vet immediately, even if your pet seems to improve. Stop active cooling once breathing eases—but still transport to the vet immediately.

Do not use ice packs or ice baths. Do not cover your pet with wet towels without airflow—they trap heat. Then keep your pet quiet until the vet takes over.

Cool Your Home and Car Without Overcooling Your Pet

Keep indoor temperatures comfortable, not icy. Aim for roughly 72–78°F (about 22–26°C) when your pet is home alone. Sudden blasts of cold air can stress pets, especially seniors or those with health conditions.

Use these simple steps to cool your space safely:

  • Close blinds or curtains on sun-facing windows during the hottest hours.
  • Run fans or the AC to keep air moving, but point airflow away from your pet's resting spot.
  • Offer cool—not ice-cold—water in multiple bowls, and refresh it often.
  • Provide a shaded, well-ventilated area with a cool tile or mat to lie on.

In the car, never leave your pet unattended, even briefly. On warm days, parked cars heat up fast. Flat-faced breeds are at particular risk in vehicles due to poor ventilation. If you must travel, keep the AC running and aim vents so air reaches the back seat. Use sunshades on windows and check that your pet isn't shivering or seeking direct vents. If your pet seems cold, raise the temperature slightly and offer a towel or blanket to settle on.

Use the Daily Summer Safety Checklist

Run through the same short checklist every hot day. It takes about a minute and catches most problems before they start.

  • Water: Check bowls are full, clean, and in the shade. Add a second bowl in another room so pets never have to search.
  • Walk timing: Confirm walks are before roughly 9 a.m. and after the evening cool-down. Test the pavement with the back of your hand for about five seconds; if it is too hot to hold, it is too hot for paws.
  • Shade and airflow: Make sure pets have a shaded spot and a fan or open window with secure screens.
  • Car check: Never leave a pet in a parked car, even briefly. Lock the car and keep keys out of reach.
  • Grooming: Brush out loose coat, but do not shave double-coated dogs down to the skin.
  • Observation: Watch for heavy panting, drooling, or sluggishness at the hottest part of the day.

Post the checklist where you will see it, such as by the door or on the fridge. On heat-warning days, repeat the water and shade checks in the afternoon.