By MJ Wixsom, DVM MS
Summer is my favorite season and one of my least favorite seasons at the same time. I love the longer days, the green trees, the kids out of school, the camping and cookouts, and the general feeling that life is happening outdoors again. I also know what summer brings into a veterinary hospital: heatstroke, burned paw pads, dogs left in cars “just for a minute,” and a surprising number of water-related emergencies.
So this week I’m going to do what I always try to do in this column—teach you the practical things that prevent heartbreak. None of this is meant to scare you. It’s meant to keep your pet safe so you can enjoy the season.
The first hazard is the one everybody has heard about, and yet we still see it every year: heatstroke. Dogs and cats do not cool themselves the way we do. People sweat and can cool down over a large surface area. Dogs mainly cool by panting, and that system can be overwhelmed quickly when the temperature and humidity climb. Add excitement, exercise, or confinement, and you can go from “he’s fine” to “this is an emergency” faster than most people realize.
Heatstroke is not “my dog is hot.” Heatstroke is a medical crisis. Early signs can be heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, weakness, and acting confused or “not right.” As it progresses, you can see vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, and seizures. Once organs start to fail, the outcome can be tragic even with aggressive treatment.
The dogs at highest risk are the ones you’d expect: brachycephalic breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers), overweight dogs, older dogs, dogs with heart or airway disease, and dogs that are not conditioned for exercise. But I’ve also seen heatstroke in young, athletic dogs because their owners underestimated the weather or overestimated how quickly a dog can cool down.
The best prevention is boring, and boring is good. Walk early in the morning or later in the evening. Keep fresh water available. Provide shade. Take breaks. Don’t assume a breeze fixes everything. And please remember that humidity matters. A dog panting in humid air is like a person trying to cool off in a wet wool blanket. The cooling just doesn’t work as well.
Now let’s talk about hot cars. I know everyone has heard “don’t leave your dog in the car,” but I’m going to say it anyway because the cases still come in. A car heats up fast. Cracking the windows does not make it safe. Parking in the shade does not make it safe. “I was only running in for a minute” is the sentence that starts a lot of terrible stories.
If you need to run errands and you can’t bring your dog inside with you, leave the dog at home. If you see a dog in a hot car and you’re worried, call for help. I would rather someone be embarrassed and have it be fine than have a pet die because everyone assumed it would be okay.
The next summer hazard is one that sneaks up on people: burned paw pads from hot pavement. If you’ve ever walked barefoot on asphalt in July, you already understand. Dogs don’t have shoes. Their paw pads are tough, but they are not invincible. Asphalt, concrete, sand, and even some decks can get hot enough to burn skin.
Here’s the simple test I tell people: put the back of your hand on the pavement for ten seconds. If you can’t comfortably hold it there, it’s too hot for your dog’s feet. Walk on grass when you can. Choose morning and evening walks. Consider booties if your dog will tolerate them, but don’t assume booties are a magic fix—some dogs overheat more in booties, and some booties trap heat. Pay attention to your dog. If they’re hopping, stopping, or trying to get back to the shade, listen to them.
Burned paw pads can look like limping, reluctance to walk, licking at the feet, or pads that look raw or blistered. If that happens, don’t put ointments on it without guidance. Some products are unsafe if licked, and dogs will lick. Call your veterinarian. We can help with pain control and proper wound care, because those burns can be very painful and can get infected.
Now, pool safety. This one surprises people because they assume dogs are natural swimmers. Some are. Some are not. And even good swimmers can get into trouble when they’re tired, panicked, or disoriented.
If your dog is around a pool, they need supervision just like a child does. I’ve seen dogs fall in and not be able to find the steps. I’ve seen dogs exhaust themselves trying to climb out at the wrong edge. I’ve seen dogs panic because they didn’t expect to be in the water and they inhaled water. And I’ve seen “fun swimming days” turn into aspiration pneumonia days a few hours later.
Yes, aspiration pneumonia can happen after a dog inhales water. It doesn’t always show up immediately. If your dog had a rough time in the water and later starts coughing, breathing fast, acting tired, or not eating, that is not something to ignore. Call us. The earlier we catch it, the better.
If your dog is going to be on a boat, around lakes, or swimming regularly, consider a properly fitted canine life jacket. Some people think that’s silly until the first time they see how quickly a tired dog can sink. It’s not about whether your dog can swim. It’s about what happens when something goes wrong.
Also, a quick word about pool water itself. Chlorinated pool water in small amounts usually causes mild stomach upset at worst, but a dog that drinks a lot of it can vomit or have diarrhea. Saltwater pools and ocean water are more likely to cause problems if ingested. And any standing water—ponds, puddles, buckets, kiddie pools left out—can carry bacteria or algae. If you’ve heard about toxic algae blooms, that’s not internet drama. That is real, and it can kill dogs. If a body of water looks like pea soup, has a scum layer, or smells foul, keep your dog out.
While we’re on summer, I’ll add two more quick hazards I see every year: grills and fireworks. Grills mean burns, grease ingestion, and pancreatitis from fatty foods. Fireworks mean terrified pets, escapes, and injuries. If your pet is anxious with loud noises, plan ahead. Don’t wait until the night of the fireworks to realize you have a problem. We have options, and the best ones work when you start early.
The overall theme of summer safety is this: most emergencies are preventable. They aren’t “bad luck.” They’re usually a chain of small decisions that seemed harmless at the time. A longer walk than usual. A quick stop at the store. A dog left outside while you “just do one thing.” A swim without supervision. The good news is that small decisions can also prevent emergencies.
If you want a simple summer checklist, here it is. Keep fresh water available. Provide shade. Avoid midday exercise. Never leave a pet in a car. Protect paws from hot surfaces. Supervise swimming and pool access. Watch for coughing or lethargy after water play. Keep pets away from grills and fatty foods. Plan ahead for fireworks and storms.
I want you to enjoy summer with your pets. I want you to make memories, not emergency visits. And if you’re ever unsure whether something is “wait and see” or “call now,” call. I would rather answer a question early than meet you in crisis later.
MJ Wixsom, DVM MS is a best-selling Amazon author who practices at Guardian Animal Medical Center in Kentucky (GuardianAnimal.com). She has volunteered at Saipan Cares, learned to dive while in Saipan, and is a donor supporter of CNMI Sinlaku recovery efforts.
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer. To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com.