Pet Summer Safety: 8 Expert Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool & Protected

Because every amazing summer memory should include your pet.

Summer is here, and that means endless opportunities for adventure with your pet! Whether you're planning beach days, hiking trails, or backyard barbecues, this season offers the perfect chance to create unforgettable memories together. But with all that fun comes risks and responsibility to keep your pet safe, comfortable, and thriving in the hot months.

 According to PETA, 111 animals endured heat-related deaths, and another 388 were rescued from dangerous heat situations in 2024 alone—and those are just the reported cases. The actual numbers are likely much higher, showing just how important education about summer safety is for pet parents..

Heat-related incidents have more than doubled in recent years, with PETA tracking 123 deaths in summer 2023 compared to just 57 the previous year. 

But here's the beautiful truth: when pet parents are armed with the right information, these tragedies are completely preventable. Every pet parent has the power to ensure their pet's safety while still embracing all the joy and fun that summer months have to offer.

Understanding what the summer heat means for your pet

Your pet experiences heat completely differently than you. While humans can sweat to cool down, dogs and cats primarily rely on panting, as they have limited sweat glands, except for those found in their paw pads. This makes them much more vulnerable to overheating, especially when temperatures soar.

Animals with flat faces (known as brachycephalic animals like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Persian cats) face even greater challenges since they cannot pant as effectively, according to the ASPCA. Senior pets, overweight animals, and those with heart or lung conditions also need extra attention during hot weather.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Heat stress symptoms include excessive panting, increased heart rate, drooling, weakness, and, in severe cases, seizures or collapse. Important: If you suspect that your pet is going through heat stress, immediately move them to a cool area, offer small sips of cool water, and contact your veterinarian. Never delay these steps, as strokes can be fatal within minutes.

Protecting paws from the hot pavement

Contrary to popular belief, animals not only feel excessive heat from the pavement, but they also can get severely injured by it. Here's a simple test that could save your pet's paws: place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's also too hot for their paws. On a typical 86°F day, pavement can reach a scorching 135°F—hot enough to cause serious burns.

Pet summer activities approved by experts

Beat the heat with sunrise hikes, beach walks, or neighborhood explorations. The golden hour before 8 AM offers the perfect temperature for extended outdoor activities.
Pro tip: these early adventures often provide the most magical lighting for those Instagram-worthy photos of your pet!

Water-Based Fun (With Safety First)

Swimming Sessions: Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so introduce water gradually and always supervise closely. Consider doggy life jackets for boat trips or deep water activities.

Splash Pad Play: Many cities offer dog-friendly splash pads where pets can cool off safely. Always rinse your dog afterward to remove chlorine or other chemicals.

Backyard Water Games: Set up sprinklers, kiddie pools, or even a simple hose for supervised play. Just remember to check water temperature—it should feel cool, not cold.

Indoor Mental Stimulation

Puzzle Feeders: Challenge your pet's mind while keeping them cool indoors during peak heat hours.

Training Sessions: Use air-conditioned time for learning new tricks or reinforcing commands. Mental exercise can be just as tiring as physical activity!

Interactive Toys: Rotate toys to keep things interesting during those hot afternoon hours when outdoor play isn't safe.

Pet summer treats with safe ingredients that help beat the heat

Frozen Delights Your Pet Will Love

Pupsicle Recipe: Blend plain yogurt, banana, and a splash of low-sodium chicken broth. Freeze in ice cube trays for the perfect cooling treat.

Kitty Ice Treats: Freeze small amounts of wet food or tuna juice in ice cube trays. Add more fun by sprinkling catnip before freezing.

Watermelon Bites: Remove seeds and offer small, frozen watermelon chunks 

Cooling Comfort Solutions

DIY Cooling Mats: Soak towels in cool water and place them in shaded areas for instant relief.

Frozen Kong Toys: Stuff with wet food or treats and freeze for hours of cooling entertainment.

Ice Pack Wraps: Wrap ice packs in towels and place them in your pet's favorite resting spots—never apply ice directly to skin.

Summer grooming: learn the science of staying cool

Understanding your pet's coat is crucial for summer comfort. Double-coated breeds like Huskies and Golden Retrievers actually rely on their undercoat for cooling, as it creates an insulating barrier that keeps cool air next to their skin. According to the ASPCA, shaving these breeds can actually make them hotter and more susceptible to sunburn.

Smart grooming strategies for the summer months

Regular Brushing: Remove loose fur to improve air circulation. This is especially important for double-coated breeds that naturally shed their undercoat during the summer months.

Professional Trimming: Consider professional grooming for a summer trim, but leave at least one inch of fur for sun protection or as recommended by your groomer.

Paw Care: Trim hair between paw pads to reduce the accumulation of bacteria and yeast, and improve heat dissipation.

Skin & Coat Care: With the more constant baths during summer months, it is important to maintain your pet’s skin & coat care with a vet-recommended shampoo for their needs to avoid irritation, skin infections, or dandruff.

Making summer travel pet-friendly

Summer often means travel, and with proper preparation, your pet can be the perfect co-pilot for your adventures.

Pre-Trip essentials

Schedule a veterinary check-up to ensure vaccinations are current and discuss travel-specific health considerations. Research pet-friendly accommodations and have a backup plan for unexpected weather or emergencies. Always make sure your pet is up-to-date on flea and tick prevention.

Packing like a pro

Create a travel kit including plenty of water, portable bowls, cooling mats, favorite toys, and all necessary medications. Don't forget updated identification and recent photos—learn more about comprehensive pet emergency preparedness in our detailed guide.

Despite our best efforts, emergencies can happen. With the hotter months being a busy time with travel, celebrations, and outdoor activities, it is known that more pets go missing during summer than at any other time of the year. The statistic is clear: about 10 million pets go missing every year in the United States alone, and the more prepared pet parents are, the sooner they act, the higher the chances of reuniting with their pet. Learn more with our complete pet emergency guide, covering everything you need to know about search strategies and lost pet prevention.

Utilize modern technology for pet protection

Smart pet parents are embracing technology to enhance their safety strategies. From GPS tracking to health monitoring apps, modern tools can provide an extra layer of security overall, but especially during active summer months.

Quality pet identification systems have evolved far beyond basic name tags. Tailr's comprehensive solution can store complete medical histories, emergency contacts, behavioral, grooming, and health information—all accessible instantly when the QR code is scanned. This technology becomes especially valuable during summer's increased activity when pets are more likely to encounter new people and situations. Fun fact: All Tailr tags give pet parents lifetime access to the Tailr pet management system with no additional costs or subscription fees–just pay for the tag. Learn more about Tailr’s technology.

Build lasting summer memories with your pet

Whether it's teaching your dog to navigate a kiddie pool, playing fetch outside, watching your cat discover the birds over the bird feeder outside your window, or simply enjoying a peaceful sunrise walk together, summer offers countless opportunities for connection with your pet

Ready to make this the safest, most fun summer ever? Your pet's wagging tail and happy panting (in the shade, of course!) will be all the thanks you need.