Summer Can Be Easy for Your Pets: Part II

Originally published in LEO on May 10, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

Last week we looked at preparing pets for summer through exercise, parasite prevention, and travel planning. In Part II, Jeff Seidenfaden turns his attention to some of the season's most serious—and often overlooked—hazards, including heat exhaustion, water safety, and the importance of responsible pet ownership during the busy summer months.

While some recommendations have evolved over the past 25 years, the central message remains timeless: preventing emergencies is always easier than responding to them.

Original 2000 Column

Since there is so much information regarding summer pet safety, I'll continue where I left off last week.

Joining in many of your outdoor activities can be great for dogs, but please remember your pet's needs during the warm months. If you and the family are outside on the deck or patio, you must provide a cool, shaded area for your pet. This also means you may have to make adjustments if you have a dog run that gets direct sunlight for much of the day.

Remember that dogs don't sweat like we do; rather, they lose body heat through the pads on their paws. If you have a concrete patio or dog run, your pet can overheat and become sick or even die in a very short period of time.

If you think your pet may be suffering from heat exhaustion, take some ice and rub down his paws. You will also want to wet him down with cool water. If he starts a seizure, you must get him to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Heat is nothing to take lightly. Be safe and think prevention.

Another important area for prevention is water safety. While most dogs are great swimmers, they must have a way to get out of the water easily. A swimming pool can be a death trap for a dog (or cat) unless it has a shallow end that the pet can walk out of.

Remember that dogs and cats don't have thumbs, which makes it difficult to grab the ladder and climb out. If you have a swimming pool, make certain that your pet cannot fall in, or at least that there is a definite way out. If you take your pet on a boat, you should invest in a doggie life preserver. For under $30, you can get a good quality life jacket that could save your pet's life.

Think ahead. No one plans an accident, so it is always best to plan ahead.

Now on to additional summer safety with cats.

For the hundreds of folks in this area who volunteer or work with animal welfare agencies, summer can be a disheartening time. Dozens of kittens will be turned into shelters every day, adult cats will be found straying, and many calls will report cats that have used their ninth life trying to dodge a car.

No time is a good time to let your cat roam outside. If you wish to debate this subject, I suggest that you trade places with me for a week. Answer up to 30 calls a day from people who didn't listen last year and now have litters of kittens because they never had their cat spayed or neutered. Help coordinate the rescue of a cat that has been in the top of a tree for over a week. Direct someone to the proper phone number to call when they have found a cat half-alive in the road and don't know what to do with it, and have no money to pay the medical fees to save it. Talk until you are blue in the face about responsible pet care and still try to smile when someone tells you excitedly about their cat's six new kittens.

I'll give it one more try.

PLEASE have your pets spayed or neutered.

PLEASE don't let your cat outside to roam and fend for itself.

PLEASE keep your pets current on vaccinations.

PLEASE tell your friends about the benefits of adopting a shelter pet rather than buying one from a breeder or pet store.

If you must allow your cat time outside, you should do it only during supervised times and only when they are on a leash. I'm not saying you can't have any fun with your cat during the summer.

But summer fun for a cat can be a bird feeder hanging close to a window. Attach a window perch on the inside, and your cat will sit and have hours of fun.

Also, you may want to try growing fresh catnip or cat grass in your garden. This will keep your feline friend happy inside while you play outside.

If you have a screened porch, you may consider allowing your kitty to spend her "outdoor" time on the porch. She will get the benefits of fresh air and the sounds of nature without the dangers.

Be wary of allowing a cat (or dog, for that matter) unrestricted access to a balcony. If the right urge hits, your dog or cat may take a leap of faith.

In the spirit of summer fun, I'd like to tell you about a benefit for the Primate Rescue Center that will be taking place May 23. The Comedy Caravan will host a night of laughs to raise money for this group based in Nicholasville. Besides caring for numerous monkeys and chimpanzees, the organization helps raise awareness of the plight of primates that are confined to life as pets and research subjects.

The Comedy Caravan is taking reservations now, so call them at 459-0022 if you'd like to help a worthy cause!

The Pet Guy Perspective Today

Many of the recommendations in this column remain excellent advice today, especially when it comes to preventing heat-related emergencies and keeping pets safe around water.

A few updates based on current veterinary guidance include:

• Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect heat stroke, move your pet to a cool area immediately, wet them with cool (not ice-cold) water, and seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Cooling should begin during transport, but avoid using ice water, which may actually slow the body's ability to release heat.

• Dog life jackets are now widely recommended, even for dogs that are strong swimmers. Fatigue, waves, currents, and cold water can overwhelm even experienced dogs.

• Indoor cats continue to live significantly longer on average than cats allowed to roam freely outdoors. Modern concerns now also include exposure to infectious diseases, predators, toxic plants, and traffic.

• Screened porches ("catios") have become increasingly popular, providing cats with fresh air and enrichment while protecting both the cat and local wildlife.

• The message about spaying and neutering remains just as important today. While recommendations on the ideal timing may vary depending on breed and size, discussing the best plan with your veterinarian helps prevent unwanted litters while supporting your pet's long-term health.

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Perhaps the most enduring message from this article is one that still guides responsible pet ownership today: anticipating risks before they become emergencies is one of the best ways to protect the animals we love.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

• Summer Can Be Easy for Your Pets: Part I

• Winterizing Your Pets

• Working Through Litterbox Problems

• 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.