Hot Weather Hazards and Pets: A Guide for Their People
Summer brings longer days, outdoor adventures, and plenty of opportunities to create memories with your pets. However, the season also comes with several hidden dangers that can threaten your furry friend's health, and as we are all soaking up the remainder of the sensational season, we want to remain aware. Hereʼs an expert look at some of the most important risks to watch for —and how to keep your pet safe.
Hot Spots
Hot spots, or acute moist dermatitis, are inflamed, irritated skin patches that can develop quickly in warm, humid weather.
Common causes include excessive licking or scratching, trapped moisture after swimming, flea bites, and other allergies.
Warning signs: red, moist, oozing skin, constant chewing or licking at one area, and sometimes a foul odor or pus.
Prevention: Dry your pet thoroughly after swimming, keep up with flea control, and address signs of allergies promptly.
Tick and Insect Bites
Summer's warm weather means an explosion in fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, all capable of causing irritation, allergic reactions, and spreading serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and heartworm.
Some stinging insects—including bees, wasps, ants, and flies—can also provoke dangerous allergic reactions.
Prevention: Use vet-recommended flea, tick, and heartworm preventives consistently. After outdoor play, check your petʼs fur, ears, and collar area for stowaway ticks and other insects.
Avoid letting your pet roam in areas with high insect activity, standing water, or tall grass, and consider pet-safe insect repellents.
Algae and Bacterial Poisoning
Hot weather encourages the growth of blue-green algae (actually toxic cyanobacteria) in ponds and lakes and flesh-eating bacteria in the ocean.
Ingestion can lead to seizures, neurological damage, liver failure, or death —often within hours.
Flesh-eating bacteria can enter the smallest wound and be fatal.
Signs of cyanobacteria poisoning include vomiting, weakness, seizures, and collapse.
Prevention: Never let your pet drink or swim in water with visible green scum, and always provide fresh, clean water for your pet on adventures. Rinse pets thoroughly after any swim. Avoid beaches with reports of dangerous blooms or bacteria.
Sunburn
Pets with short, light-colored or thin fur (and those with white or pink skin) are especially at risk of sunburn.
Commonly affected areas: ears, noses, bellies, and anywhere the fur is sparse.
Signs: red, flaky, or warm skin; whining when touched; and, in severe cases, blistering or peeling.
Prevention: Apply pet-safe sunscreen to exposed areas, and provide plenty of shade when outdoors.
Water Safety
Not all dogs can swim, and even strong swimmers risk drowning if panicked or in rough conditions.
Hazards also include pool chemicals, dangerous currents, and unsupervised access to open water.
Prevention: Never force your pet into water. Use life jackets for less confident swimmers or when near lakes and rivers. Check fences and pool gates to prevent unsupervised access, and always rinse off pool chlorine after a swim.
Paw pad burns
Pavement, concrete, pavers, shale and other rocky surfaces, sand, and even artificial turf can become dangerously hot in direct sunlight.
Before allowing your pet to place their sensitive paw pads on the ground, touch it with the palm of your hand for 5 seconds. If it’s uncomfortable within that time frame, it will likely burn your pet’s paw pads.
If your pet is “dancing” on a sun-exposed surface, it’s likely burning their feet!
Boots can help protect your pet from burns on sun-exposed surfaces. Make sure to check the treads regularly for wear.
Expert Tips for a Safe Summer:
Provide cool, clean water at all times to avoid dehydration and heat-related injuries.
Monitor your pet for signs of overheating: heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, lethargy, and in severe cases, vomiting or collapse. We have an entire article dedicated to heatstroke here.
Avoid hot pavement and sand—if it's too hot for your bare feet, it's too hot for sensitive paws.
Supervise pets outdoors, especially around water or unfamiliar environments, and avoid high-risk times for insect activity.
Keeping your pet safe is all about prevention, vigilance, and quick action if trouble arises. With thoughtful care, you and your furry companion can enjoy all the joys summer has to offer— safely.
