With warm summer weather on the way, vacation season and outdoor time is just around the corner. For pet owners, summer is more than packing a bag for vacation instead it involves meticulous planning so that pets can be comfortable all season.
Keeping Pets Safe in Hot Weather
The Northeast is known for its hot, humid summers. Pets cool themselves differently from humans. While people cool their bodies through sweating, dogs and cats primarily rely on panting to cool down. When the humidity is high, the moisture in the air prevents effective evaporation. This can lead to hyperthermia, which is a medical term for an elevated body temperature that exceeds the normal range and can cause organ damage.
Our team at Portland Vet recommends that owners monitor their pets closely during outdoor activities. A dog slowing down on a walk or a cat hiding in a dark, cool corner of the laundry room are real-life examples of animals attempting to self-regulate their temperature. If a pet seems reluctant to move or is breathing with an open mouth, it is time to head back to an air-conditioned space. It is also important to consider the temperature of the ground. Asphalt and concrete soak up the sun’s rays and can reach temperatures high enough to cause thermal burns on paw pads. If the pavement is too hot for a human hand to touch for five seconds, it is too hot for a pet to walk on.
Ready to schedule a summer wellness check or pre-travel exam? Book online today.
When to Seek Urgent Veterinary Care
While most summer days pass without incident, it is very important to know when a situation becomes an emergency. Heatstroke can progress quickly and requires prompt medical treatment. The following are signs of heatstroke in your pet:
- Frantic, heavy panting that does not slow down once the pet is in the shade
- Bright red, purple, or very pale gums
- Excessive drooling or thick, sticky saliva
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A staggering gait, disorientation, or a total collapse
If a pet is suspected of overheating, the first step is to move them to a cool, shaded area. Owners can apply room-temperature water to the fur and paws, but ice-cold water should be avoided, as it can cause blood vessels to constrict and trap heat inside the body. The pet should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately, even if they seem to be recovering, to check for potential internal complications.
Outdoor Environmental Hazards
Summer is the peak season for parasites, which can transmit serious diseases to pets. In the Maine area, ticks are common in wooded areas and tall grasses, and they are known carriers of Lyme disease and other bacterial infections. Mosquitoes, which thrive in warm, humid weather, are the primary vectors of heartworm disease. Heartworm is a serious condition in which parasites live in the heart and lungs, causing damage over time. Keeping a consistent schedule of monthly preventative medication is the most effective way to protect a pet from these threats.
After any time spent outdoors, it is a good practice to perform a quick “tick check’’. This involves running hands over the body of the pet and looking closely at the ears, under the collar, and between the toes. If a tick is found, it should be promptly removed.
Additionally, owners should be aware of seasonal hazards such as lawn chemicals, fertilizers, and certain summer plants that can be toxic if ingested. Keeping a pet on a leash and under supervision during outdoor time is a straightforward yet effective method to prevent accidental ingestions.
Have you scheduled your annual wellness exam yet? Now is the time! Book online today.
Preparing for the Logistics of Travel as a Pet Owner
Planning a trip with a pet requires significant lead time, especially when flying. Air travel involves strict regulations that vary by airline and destination. We have USDA-accredited veterinarians who can perform the necessary physical exams and issue health certificates for both domestic and international travel. These certificates are a formal way to verify that a pet is healthy enough for the journey and is up to date on all required vaccinations. Because these documents often have a very narrow window of validity (sometimes only ten days before travel), scheduling these appointments well in advance is a vital step in the process.
If you plan to travel by land, how to safely travel is very important. We recommend carefully checking the rules for your specific train before bringing your pet along. In a car, we recommend using a crash-tested harness or a strong, well-ventilated crate that is secured within the vehicle. This prevents the pet from being thrown forward during sudden stops or an accident and keeps them from distracting the driver. Cats should always remain in their carriers until they are in a secure home or hotel room. This will help your cat feel safe in their unusual environment. Your pet should never be allowed to roam free in the car. In the event of an accident, your pet could become a projectile, endangering the safety of all passengers.
Addressing Anxiety and Motion Sickness
A common question the team hears is how to help a pet that becomes visibly distressed as soon as the car starts. Some animals experience true motion sickness, which can cause vomiting, lip licking, or drooling. Others suffer from travel-related anxiety, which may appear as pacing, whining, or even a cat vocalizing loudly for the duration of a trip. These symptoms are physically demanding for the animal and stressful for the owner.
There are several ways to handle these issues. Our behaviorist specialty team often recommends the use of pheromone sprays, calming supplements, or prescription drugs designed to reduce nausea and anxiety.
Before the day of travel, a trial run can help you see how your pet reacts to the different methods. This ensures that the dosage is correct and that the pet responds well to the medication without becoming overly sedated. Improving the pet’s comfort level makes the whole journey more secure and comfortable for the whole family.
Consider Boarding for High-Stress or High-Need Pets
While you may enjoy taking your pet on the road, travel isn’t a good fit for every animal. A dog that becomes reactive in crowded hotel lobbies, or a cat that stops eating or starts defecating outside the litterbox when removed from its home environment, likely will be happier staying behind.
While deciding on a boarding facility or a pet sitter, take your pet’s disposition and health into careful consideration. Reputable boarding facilities will require proof of vaccinations, including Bordetella (a vaccine for kennel cough) and the canine influenza series. The hospital can assist with these primary care needs to ensure a pet’s immunity is robust before they enter a group environment during peak summer travel months.
If a pet has special medical needs, such as a heart condition or a strict medication schedule, boarding at a veterinary-supervised facility is often the safest choice. These environments provide a higher level of monitoring and ensure that any changes in a pet’s health—especially during heat-intensive periods—are addressed immediately by medical professionals. Bringing the pet’s own food and favorite bedding can also help reduce the stress of a new environment while you are away.
High-Risk Pets for Travel and Heat
Some cats and dogs are at higher risk of heat-related issues due to their anatomy or preexisting conditions. Brachycephalic pets, which include breeds with a shortened facial structure such as bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats, have narrow airways that make breathing more difficult. These pets are significantly less efficient at panting to regulate their body temperature. Consequently, they can suffer heatstroke even at temperatures that might seem comfortable to you. We recommend limiting outdoor time to the coolest parts of the early morning or late evening for these breeds.
Pets with pre-existing heart disease or respiratory issues also require specialized care during travel. The effort of traveling and the strain of the heat can put extra pressure on a compromised cardiovascular system. If a pet has a history of heart disease, owners might notice them coughing at night or becoming winded after a very short walk in the humidity. For these patients, the hospital may suggest an updated exam or diagnostic imaging to ensure the pet is stable enough for the intended trip. In some cases, the veterinary team might recommend a professional pet sitter instead of travel if the risks to the pet’s health are too high.
Easy Steps for a Safer Summer
Follow these practical steps now to prepare for summer.
- Update Identification: Ensure that microchip information is current and that the pet is wearing a collar with a legible ID tag. This is especially important when traveling to unfamiliar locations.
- Make a Travel Kit: Include your pet’s medical records, a first-aid kit, a favorite toy, and enough of their regular food to last the entire trip. Don’t forget to bring water and a bowl for your pet for the travel portion of your trip.
- Adjust Exercise Routines: Instead of a long afternoon run, consider indoor mental-stimulation games or short walks in the grass early in the morning.
- Monitor Hydration: Pets should always have access to clean, cool water. If a pet seems less interested in drinking, adding a little water to their food can help maintain hydration levels.
By planning ahead and taking steps like scheduling a travel exam and using parasite prevention, pet owners can reduce summer risks. At Portland Vet in Portland, Maine, we are dedicated to every pet’s health and comfort.
Ready to schedule a summer wellness check or pre-travel exam? Book online today.