Hot weather safety tips for pets: What every dog and cat owner should know

If the Australian sun has you reaching for the air-con, imagine experiencing it in a fur coat. For dogs and cats, a hot day can quickly go from uncomfortable to dangerous. Humidity, scorching surfaces, and dehydration are just some of the seasonal risks that can leave pets struggling to stay safe and comfortable.

Fortunately, a few practical precautions can make a big difference. These hot weather safety tips for pets will help you protect your furry companion, so you can enjoy the summer months knowing they are better prepared for whatever the season brings.

1. Manage heatstroke in pets

Dog cooling off in water on a sandy beach (Source: iStock)

Our furry friends have their own ways of regulating their body temperature, which is very different from ours. Heatstroke in dogs and cats is common, so pet safety deserves just as much attention as our own comfort. Here are the main causes to watch for:

• Hot and humid places with poor ventilation (such as being in a car or a windowless room)

• Limited or no access to shade

• Lack of fresh drinking water

• Excessive movement in a hot environment

One easy tip for how to keep pets cool in summer: keep fresh drinking water available throughout the day. Keep them in a well-ventilated part of the house, and make sure outdoor dogs have access to shade. Consider hiring a pet sitter to check in on your furry companion if you’ll be away on particularly hot days.

Exercise is still important for your dog’s health, but check the temperature forecast before heading out for a walk. Choose the coolest time of day, when the ground isn’t scorching underfoot.

When travelling with pets, never leave them unattended in the car, even for a few minutes. The weather may be relatively mild, but the temperature can easily rise inside the vehicle, making it intolerable for your furry ones.

If you don’t know how to treat heatstroke in dogs, don’t panic. When this happens, move them to a cool, shaded area immediately. Then start cooling them with cool or tepid water (not ice-cold water) while arranging immediate veterinary care.

Knowing the main signs of heatstroke in dogs can help you avoid the worst-case scenario:

• Excessive panting

• Breathing difficulties

• Drooling and salivating

• Restlessness and agitation

• Extremely red or pale gums

• Vomiting and diarrhoea

• Disorientation or altered behaviour

• Lethargy

• Seizures and collapse

2. Know your pet’s heat risk

Fluffy cat in a harness outdoors in warm sunny conditions (Source: iStock)

Hot weather safety tips for pets can vary by breed, since some breeds handle heat better than others. So it’s important to know if your furry friend is vulnerable to the Australian summer.

Pets at higher risk of heat-related illness include breeds with shortened airways, animals with thick or long coats, pets with little to no fur, overweight pets, and those with underlying heart or respiratory conditions.

For dogs and cats in particular, some breeds are more susceptible to heat, including:

For all breeds, it’s also important to pay extra attention to elderly, obese, or very young pets.

3. Think twice before shaving your pet

Dog receiving a professional groom at a salon (Source: iStock)

We’d do anything to make our pets feel comfortable. But is shaving them in summer a good idea? It might seem like a no-brainer, but your pet’s hair isn’t like a human’s. While there are some exceptions, most pet grooming professionals recommend against shaving your dog’s or cat’s fur altogether.

Shaving may seem like an obvious way to keep pets cool, but it isn’t suitable for every dog or cat. Whether clipping or shaving is appropriate depends on your pet’s breed, coat type, health, and individual needs.

A healthy coat also helps protect skin from direct sunlight and insulates against heat. Shaving some dogs very short can increase their exposure to direct sunlight and may raise the risk of sunburn, particularly in dogs with light-coloured skin or fur.

The same applies to cats. Shaving may also seem like an obvious solution if you’re thinking about how to keep cats cool in summer. Like a dog’s coat, a cat’s coat helps protect its skin and provides insulation. Grooming and clipping needs still vary by individual cat and coat, and shaving can interfere with the fur’s protective and insulating functions.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule, especially with dogs. But it’s less about shaving and more about grooming. Some older dogs may need extra help with it, as do dogs with heavily matted coats or certain skin conditions such as hot spots or myiasis. In these cases, it’s best to first consult your vet and consider hiring a professional groomer.

4. Watch for snake and tick bites

A small tick on a fingertip after being found on a dog (Source: iStock)

Snake bites

Snake bites are among the hot weather safety tips for pets that are often overlooked. Snakes can become more active during warmer weather, and may be found lurking in bushland, long grass, rock piles, woodpiles, and other sheltered areas. Keeping your grass short, removing debris piles where practical, and keeping your dog on a lead in snake-prone areas can all help protect them from this threat.

If you already suspect your dog has been bitten by a snake, go to the vet immediately without waiting for symptoms to appear. Their venom can cause serious illness, and early treatment gives your pet the best chance of recovery.

Common dog snake bite symptoms can include:

• Sudden weakness or collapse, sometimes followed by an apparent recovery

• Shaking or muscle twitching

• Vomiting

• Weakness or wobbliness

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Dilated pupils

• Paralysis

• Difficulty or rapid breathing

• Bleeding from the nose, mouth or bite site

• Dark or bloody urine

Keep your pet as calm and still as possible while travelling to the vet. If you can safely identify the snake from a distance, let your vet know, but don’t attempt to catch or kill it. You should also avoid washing the bite site or applying a tourniquet.

Tick bites

Tick season in Australia varies by location and tick species. Paralysis ticks are found mainly along the eastern seaboard. They’re generally more active during warmer and more humid periods. In northern areas, however, paralysis ticks may be present year-round, while in more southern areas, tick activity typically increases from spring and can continue into late autumn.

If ticks are a recurring problem around your home, consider hiring a pest control expert to help manage tick-prone outdoor areas. Professional support can complement regular tick prevention and checks, so you can reduce potential risks around your property.

A tick bite on a dog can be particularly dangerous if it’s from a paralysis tick. As it feeds, the tick can inject a toxin affecting the nervous system and may cause progressive paralysis.

Signs of tick paralysis can include:

• Weakness or wobbliness in the back legs

• Difficulty standing or getting up

• A change in your dog’s bark or voice

• Retching, coughing, or gagging

• Vomiting

• Excessive drooling

• Loss of appetite

• Progressive weakness or paralysis that spreads to the front legs

• Difficulty or rapid breathing

• Grunting noises while breathing

Check your dog regularly for ticks, particularly after spending time in the bush or scrubland. Although ticks can attach anywhere on the body, pay close attention to the face, ears, neck, chest, legs, and between the toes.

If you find a tick or notice any signs of tick paralysis, remove the tick promptly and contact your vet immediately. Keep your dog calm and comfortable, and don’t give them food, water, or anything by mouth if they’re showing symptoms, as difficulty swallowing can increase the risk of choking or aspiration.

5. Prepare a bushfire safety plan

Dog staying close to its owner in a dry outdoor setting (Source: iStock)

If you live in a bushfire-prone area, having a plan for your pets is essential. Check the guidance from your state or territory fire authority, and make sure your pets are included in the plan.

Prepare an emergency pet kit and place it in an accessible area to ease evacuation when needed. A reliable emergency pet kit includes items such as the following:

• enough food and water

• a lead or harness

• blankets

• identification and microchip details

• veterinary records

• any specific medicine or supplies required for your pet

Keep your pet safe and comfortable for summer

Summer should still be enjoyable for your four-legged friend. Take sensible precautions, keep an eye on the forecast, and adapt your pet’s routine to the conditions, because knowing how to keep pets cool in summer is one of the best ways to help them stay safe and comfortable.

Need an extra pair of hands? Find a pet care professional on Airtasker for help with everything from dog walking and pet sitting to grooming. Professional support can make it easier to stay on top of your pet’s routine and put practical measures in place for how to keep pets cool in summer, even when life gets hectic.