“I’m just dashing into the store for a minute…”
Summer safety tips for your dogs and cats.
KEEPING YOUR PETS ALIVE: Top 5 Summer Pet Safety Tips
We know these Pet Safety Tips. We really do. And yet sometimes…
Sometimes we slip up. Sometimes we say, “I’m just dashing into the store for a minute. My little Yorkie will be just fine.”
Recently this happend to a nephew of mine. “I came back to the car. And two police officers were were gettin’ ready to break in a side window.” His little Yorkie was just fine. “We’d never done this before. One of us always stays in the car with them. I felt like I was a bad guy.”
Sometimes, just like the pro sports teams, we need to “Get back to Basics.”
KEEPING YOUR PETS ALIVE: Top 5 Summer Pet Safety Tips
Dr. Ruth, “The Pet Vet”, shares five simple safety tips to help you keep your pets safe this summer.
SAN DIEGO, June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Summer is the perfect time to enjoy parks, beaches, and hiking trails. However, summer heat can be dangerous for your pets. To make sure everyone, including your pets, has a fun and safe summer, Dr. Ruth MacPete, aka Dr Ruth “The Pet Vet” shares five simple summer pet safety tips.
“Dogs and cats don’t perspire like we do,” says Dr. Ruth “The Pet Vet”.
“To cool off, dogs and cats dispel excess heat by panting and only perspire minimally through their foot pads. Unfortunately, this method is less efficient than sweating and your pets can quickly overheat and develop heat exhaustion on a hot day. When it’s hot outside, it’s imperative that people are extra careful with their pets.”
What are the best ways to keep your pets safe this summer?
1. Keep your pets cool
Whenever possible keep your pets inside where it’s nice and cool.
If your pet has to be outside, be sure that they have access to shade and water. Avoid strenuous exercise when it’s hot. Keep your walks short to avoid over-heating. And walk them in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. Be extra careful with brachycephalic, or flat-nosed breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Boxers, as they are even more heat-intolerant than other dogs. These Pet Safety Tips really apply to these breeds!
2. Keep your pets hydrated
Be sure your pets always have plenty of water. When it’s hot, pets drink more water than usual, and water evaporates faster. Make sure you provide extra bowls of water and refill them frequently.
Also remember to bring water for yourself and your dog when going on outdoor excursions or walks. And don’t forget to bring a portable bowl for your dog. The Loving Pets Bella Roma travel bowls are a must for all dog parents. They are lightweight, collapsible, and even come with a carabiner so you can easily clip them to your purse, backpack, or your dog’s harness or leash.
To encourage your pets to drink more consider getting a pet water fountain. Or try adding ice to their water to make it cool and refreshing. For a cool treat, there are a number of dog ice creams available. For cats, I recommend freezing catit Creamy lick-able treats to make ice pops or putting catit Creamy treats in the catit Creamy tray to make frozen treats your cat will love.
3. Know the signs of heat exhaustion in pets
Be sure to know the common signs of heat exhaustion which include:
- Excessive panting
- Trouble keeping up
- Bright red tongue and gums
- Dry gums that feel sticky to the touch
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Dark urine
- Unsteadiness or wobbly
- Seizures
- Collapse
If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat exhaustion, get them out of the heat, cool them down gradually by wetting them with cool water and immediately take them to your veterinarian for additional treatment. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can be fatal.
4. Protect your pet’s feet from hot surfaces
Before going on a walk, check the ground to be sure it is not too hot for your pet’s feet. Asphalt, concrete, and sand can get very hot and actually burn your pet’s feet. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for your pets! Dogs especially. Dogs partly cool themselves through their feet. If you have to walk your pet when the ground is hot consider getting them dog booties to protect their pads or walk them on grass or dirt.
5. Never leave your pet in a hot car
Never leave your pet unattended in a car when it’s warm outside. Even with the windows rolled down, your car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes. To be safe, never leave your pet in a parked car for ANY length of time when the weather is warm. It’s better and safer to leave them at home if you are going somewhere that doesn’t allow pets.
Hopefully these safety tips will help keep your pets safe and cool this summer.
For more information or pet health tips go to: www.DrRuthPetVet.com/pet-tips.
Facebook @DrRuthMacPete
Instagram @drruthmacpete
To see one of my most popular Canine Posts, you’ve gotta see DOG INTELLIGENCE: The Top 10 Most Intelligent Dog Breeds. “Is Yours On the Most Intelligent Dogs List?“
About Dr. Ruth MacPete
Dr. Ruth MacPete is a veterinarian, media correspondent, and author. She has appeared on The Doctors, Good Morning America, The Today Show, Hallmark’s Home & Family, The Weather Channel, as well as numerous news shows around the country. She has written about pets and pet health for various magazines, including Cat Fancy, Bark, and Kittens USA. And is the author of the award-winning children’s book “Lisette the Vet.” To schedule an interview with Dr MacPete or for more pet safety tips go to: www.DrRuthPetVet.com.
SOURCE: Dr. Ruth MacPete The Pet Vet, PRNewswire & Civilized Bears.
TAGS: pet safety tips, how do dogs cool themselves, keeping your pets alive, summer pet safety tips.
REMEMBER: Dogs partly cool themselves through their feet!