Pets

Hot Weather Tips for Pets

September 1, 2026

As the heat sets in, it is important to keep your pet’s safety in mind. Dogs, cats, and even small animals such as rabbits and hamsters can get sick from being exposed to heat for too long. It is also crucial to know the symptoms of heat stroke in your pets. Below are some helpful tips for keeping dogs, cats, and small pets cool during the dog days of summer.

Keep dogs and cats cool:

ALWAYS have cool water accessible.
Make frozen treats to help cool your pet off after a long walk.
Provide a shaded area that fully covers your dog or cat for best protection.Be cautious when traveling with your pet on a warm day and NEVER leave them in the vehicle unattended. The temperature in your car can be 20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. Dogs or cats left in a heated car for too long can get brain damage, heat stroke, or even die.
Groom your pet regularly. Shaving your pet might seem like a good idea to keep your pet cool during the hot summer months, but it can ultimately harm them. Fur acts as insulation and protects your pet from the sun. Just like us, pets can get sunburn or skin cancer when in direct sunlight. You can also use pet sunscreen for extra protection around the face.
Before a walk, check the temperature of the pavement. A quick way to check the temperature is to place the palm of your hand on the pavement and hold it there for 10 seconds. If you can’t because it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Walk your pet during cooler times of the day, such as the early morning or late evening. If you must walk your pet in the heat, consider booties or socks to protect their paws.

How to keep small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters) cool:

Keep them well hydrated.
Make sure there are shaded areas in their cage and do not put their cage in direct sunlight.
Reward them with frozen fruits and vegetables as treats.
If you are traveling with a small animal, again, DO NOT leave them in the car by themselves.
Put a frozen water bottle in their cage so they can lean against it to keep cool.
If your AC unit is broken, consider placing a fan in front of their cage or using a cooling plate for them to lie on.

All of these animals are prone to a heat stroke. Animals with flat faces or short snouts are at a higher risk of heat stroke because they do not show signs of panting. Younger and older pets are at a greater risk as well and need to be monitored more closely.

For dogs, here’s a chart that’s helpful in identifying when it’s just too hot for animals to be outside without shelter…or even with shade and water.

Here are some helpful ways to identify a heat stroke in a dog, cat, or small animal:

Excessive panting
Fainting or dizziness
Seizures
Vomiting or diarrhea
Bloody gums

If you notice your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately. Keep your pets cool this summer to keep them safe.

Lexington Animal Care Ordinance – Unsafe Weather Conditions (June 2026)
The Lexington Animal Care Ordinance has recently changed. With flash flooding and extreme temperatures expected, it may be unlawful to leave your pets outdoors—even if they have access to a doghouse or other shelter. Please make arrangements now to bring your pets indoors when weather warnings, advisories, or other emergency alerts are issued.

The new provision in the Lexington Ordinance defines “Unsafe Weather Conditions” as: “any extreme hot or cold temperature, and/or any weather event that creates extreme conditions that compromise animal safety. During unsafe conditions, Fayette County will typically be under a warning, advisory, or other special weather statement, including but not limited to during activation of Fayette County, Kentucky Emergency Operations Plan or LFUCG Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Plan.”

The ordinance further states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to confine and leave unattended any domestic animal (excluding cattle, equine, and fowl) in unsafe weather conditions.”

The full post is available from Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself, too! Check out more information on heat safety.

Information from the American Red Cross, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Humane Society of the United States, and Petco were used for this article.