Summer Can Be Easy for Your Pets: Part I

Originally published in LEO on May 3, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

Summer is one of the best times of the year for people and their pets—but it also brings unique seasonal challenges. In Part I of this two-part series, Jeff Seidenfaden shares practical advice on preparing your pets for warmer weather, covering everything from exercise and heat safety to flea prevention, heartworms, and summer travel.

Although veterinary medicine and parasite prevention have evolved considerably since 2000, the core message remains just as relevant today: a little planning before summer begins can prevent many of the season's most common pet emergencies.

Original 2000 Column

It is most definitely springtime in Kentuckiana. My allergies are proof of that. And now is a good time to start planning for the needs of your pets in the summer months.

From flea and tick prevention to traveling, summer brings many a sleepless night for pet owners, who wonder what to do about situations that, in fact, could have been planned for months in advance.

There are so many things to address that it might take more than one column. Let's start with the most obvious, which is health. While the summer is all about fun in the sun for us, some of the most dangerous health problems for pets are associated with the heat.

During the long, cold winter months, some folks may have fallen out of the habit of walking their dog. Now is the time to begin again in order to gradually build up his stamina and endurance for hot weather activities. Don't ever jump right into running with your pet, however, especially during warm summer months. If you are looking to stretch your legs a bit and want Fido by your side, PLEASE start him out slowly.

When the summer months are in full force, do not run him. The heat of the pavement can be deadly, since dogs sweat through the pads in their paws. Don't stand on the pavement for a long period of time with your dog, and make sure he has a grassy area to rest his paws.

Speaking of grassy areas ... that also means fleas! Yep, they're back. Not that they ever went away (maybe just inside your warm home for the winter). You have no excuses anymore when it comes to flea and tick prevention. But one thing to remember is that dogs and cats have to be treated differently for fleas. Always follow the instructions on the package when using a flea product, since many that are intended for dogs can be deadly for cats.

There is a wide range of spot-on treatments, pills, sprays, baths and powders that will prevent and combat flea and tick infestations. Start now. Once your pet has been bitten, you will most certainly pay for it all summer and fall. Flea-bite dermatitis is a difficult allergy to treat. Plan ahead.

And since we are on the topic of bugs, did you know that mosquito bites can lead to death for your pet? Don't be alarmed—the mosquito itself can't kill Rover unless it's carrying heartworms. After a warm, wet spring, we are sure to have loads of mosquitoes during the summer months.

You can avoid this potentially deadly situation by looking at your yard now. Eliminate any areas where water may stand. Keep lids on garbage cans and fill holes in your yard to prevent stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. You will find mosquito larvae thriving in these little puddles of water. Dry them out now!

If you're like me, you can lose hours surfing the Web. A fun thing to do in the spring is to search for pet-friendly destinations for summer travel. I've found one cool resource that can help you locate lodging that welcomes pets. The site breaks the country down by region and then by state.

If you want to think of fun things to do with your dog, consider where he will be while you're off playing or sightseeing. Maybe you can plan a camping trip. Pack some extra food and water for your pup and hit the road.

In unfamiliar areas, be sure to keep him on a leash and make sure his identification tags, license and proof of vaccinations are current. If you're traveling out of state, consider making temporary identification tags that include the phone number and address of the hotel or inn where you'll be staying. That way, if someone finds your dog, they can reach you before you've headed home.

I hope you will take some time this spring to work on prevention for your pet, and also think of something fun to do to reward your pets for all the years of rewards they give you.

The Pet Guy Perspective Today

More than 25 years later, the principles in this article still hold true. The biggest difference is that pet owners now have access to much more effective parasite prevention and better information about heat-related illness.

A few modern updates include:

• Year-round parasite prevention: Veterinarians now recommend keeping most dogs and cats on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention throughout the year—not just during the summer months.

• Heat safety: Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day. Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset, and always check pavement temperatures with the back of your hand before allowing your dog to walk on them.

• Travel preparation: In addition to current identification tags, microchipping has become one of the most effective ways to reunite lost pets with their families. Bringing copies of vaccination records and locating emergency veterinary clinics before your trip are also smart precautions.

• Mosquito control: Heartworm disease remains a serious concern in many parts of the country. Consistent monthly prevention remains the safest and most effective defense.

While technology and veterinary medicine have advanced considerably since 2000, one message hasn't changed: planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts you can give your pet.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

• Working Through Litterbox Problems

• Winterizing Your Pets

• A Pet May Not Be the Perfect Gift

  
  

About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve Jeff Seidenfaden's original newspaper columns, television features, and educational articles spanning more than three decades. Each article is carefully republished to preserve its historical authenticity while making it accessible to today's pet owners.

About the Author

Jeff Seidenfaden is The Pet Guy—an award-winning pet expert, television host, newspaper columnist, entrepreneur, and animal advocate who has spent more than three decades helping families build better relationships with their pets. Through his newspaper columns, television appearances, and educational outreach, Jeff has shared practical, compassionate advice with hundreds of thousands of pet owners across the country.