Summer Heat Safety for Pets: Preventing Heat Stroke and Protecting Paws
- EVS Pet Urgent Care
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Last updated: August 13, 2026
Heat stroke and burned paw pads are two of the most common, and most preventable, summer emergencies in dogs and cats. Knowing the early warning signs and a few simple precautions can keep your pet safe on even the hottest days.
What is heat stroke in pets, and why is it dangerous?
Heat stroke happens when a pet's body temperature climbs above 103°F and their body can no longer cool itself down. Dogs and cats don't sweat the way people do. They rely mainly on panting, plus a small amount of cooling through their paw pads, to release heat. When the air is hot and humid, or when a pet is trapped somewhere without shade, airflow, or water, that cooling system can't keep up.
Once body temperature climbs past about 106°F, it can start to damage the kidneys, heart, brain, and blood clotting system all at once. Heat stroke can go from mild warning signs to a life-threatening crisis in minutes, especially in a parked car, so quick recognition matters.
What are the early signs of heat stroke in dogs and cats?
Watch for:
Heavy, rapid panting that doesn't ease up in the shade
Bright red, dark red, or purple gums
Excessive drooling
Vomiting or diarrhea
Wobbliness, disorientation, or stumbling
Weakness or collapse
In severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness
Mild overheating that improves quickly once a pet is in shade and given water can often be monitored at home. Any pet showing collapse, seizures, disorientation, or gum color changes needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away.
What should I do if my pet shows signs of heat stroke?
Move your pet to shade or air conditioning immediately.
Apply cool (not ice-cold) water to their paws, belly, and groin, or use damp towels with a fan.
Offer small sips of cool water if they're alert and able to drink.
Call ahead so the veterinary team knows you're coming.
If your pet is collapsed, seizing, unconscious, or their gums have turned dark red or blue, head straight to the nearest emergency animal hospital. Heat stroke at this stage is a life-threatening emergency that needs hospitalization and intensive care, which falls outside urgent care. For milder heat exhaustion, dehydration, or paw pad burns that don't involve collapse or loss of consciousness, EVS Pet Urgent Care can provide same-day diagnosis and treatment.
How hot is too hot for a walk?
Pavement gets far hotter than the air around it. On a 77°F day, asphalt can reach roughly 125°F, and blacktop can climb even higher as the sun stays out. At those temperatures, a paw pad can burn in under a minute.
Before any summer walk, try the 5-second rule: press the back of your hand flat against the pavement. If you can't hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot for your pet's paws too. Sand, metal, and dark concrete can be just as risky as asphalt.
How can I protect my pet's paws in the summer?
Walk during the early morning or evening, when both the air and the pavement have cooled.
Choose grass, dirt trails, or shaded routes over sidewalks and asphalt whenever possible.
Use dog booties, or apply a paw wax or balm before walks to add a protective barrier.
Check paw pads after every walk for redness, blistering, limping, or excessive licking, which are early signs of a burn.
Keep walks short during heat advisories, even if your pet seems eager to go.
Which pets are most at risk?
Some pets overheat faster than others:
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like bulldogs, pugs, and boxers, whose airway shape limits how effectively they can pant
Overweight pets, since extra body fat traps heat
Senior pets and very young puppies or kittens
Pets with thick or dark coats, which absorb more heat
Pets with heart or respiratory conditions
These pets need extra caution: shorter walks, more frequent water and shade breaks, and closer monitoring on warm days.
Other summer heat safety tips
Never leave a pet in a parked car, even with the windows cracked. Interior temperatures can climb by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.
Always provide fresh water and shade for pets spending time outdoors.
Avoid strenuous exercise or off-leash play during peak midday heat.
Provide extra ventilation and cooling for pets in yards, garages, or dog houses without airflow.
FAQ
Q: What temperature is dangerous for dogs? A: A body temperature above 103°F is considered abnormal, and above 106°F is a medical emergency. Outside, high heat and humidity combined with poor airflow or lack of shade are the biggest risk factors, even on days that don't feel extreme to people.
Q: Can cats get heat stroke too? A: Yes. Cats show similar signs to dogs, including heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, and vomiting. Indoor cats can overheat in poorly ventilated rooms, sunrooms, or cars just as easily as dogs left outside.
Q: How do I know if the pavement is too hot for my dog? A: Use the 5-second rule. Press the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can't hold it there comfortably for five seconds, the surface is too hot for your dog's paws.
Q: My dog's paw pads look red and blistered after a walk. Is that an emergency? A: Redness, blistering, limping, or excessive paw licking after a walk on a hot day can indicate a burn. This is something EVS Pet Urgent Care can evaluate and treat same day in Kissimmee, Northbrook, North Tonawanda, and Reno.
Q: How quickly can heat stroke happen in a parked car? A: Within minutes. Cracking the windows does not meaningfully slow the temperature rise, which is why pets should never be left unattended in a vehicle, even for a quick errand.
If your pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion, dehydration, or a paw pad burn that isn't a collapse-level emergency, EVS Pet Urgent Care offers same-day diagnosis with transparent pricing and home-based check-in, so you can wait comfortably at home until it's your turn. Check in today at evs.pet/evs-check-in or call 877-URGI-VET (874-4838). Open 7 days a week.
