Helping dogs beat the heat and survive extreme weather events

Photo: dvulikaia/Adobe Stock

Increasing numbers of dogs and their owners are impacted by extreme heat and adverse weather events. We conducted a national survey of 421 US dog owners to better understand how dog owners perceive and respond to these challenges.¹ Our findings revealed several gaps in owners’ knowledge and preparedness around heat-related illness (HRI) and disaster planning; highlighting ways in which veterinary professionals can help.

What owners do (and don’t) know about heat risks

We know from prior research that HRI is one of the leading causes of preventable death in dogs, particularly among brachycephalic, obese, and older animals.² In our study, nearly all participants lived in regions where summer temperatures exceeded 80°F. Despite this, many owners reported minimal changes to their dogs’ routines during the summer months. For example, a third of owners reported no change in the length of their dog walks during the summer. Furthermore, owners of brachycephalic dogs, who face triple the odds of fatal outcomes from HRI,² were no more likely to alter their outdoor activities with their dog when compared to other owners.

When asked about warning signs of HRI, most participants could identify obvious indicators such as stiffness (86%) or ataxia (83%). However, fewer recognized more subtle early markers of severe HRI like depression or slow responsiveness (64%). Furthermore, while most owners knew they should move an overheated dog to a cool area, fewer understood that active cooling (e.g., cold-water immersion, sprays, or fans) is more effective than passive methods like cold towels.³

What this means for veterinary teams: during wellness visits, veterinary teams have an opportunity to share with clients how to spot subtle signs of HRI, stress the vulnerabilities of high-risk breeds, and explain the benefits of active cooling techniques.

Heat impacts the human–animal bond too

Another finding in our study was how heat changes the way owners interact with their dogs. Over 80% of participants reported spending less time than they would like training or playing outside during hot weather, nearly two-thirds worried about their dogs becoming bored or stressed when kept indoors, and 40% feared that indoor confinement could lead to behavior problems.¹ This is a reminder that extreme heat isn’t just a physical health issue; it also affects mental well-being for both dogs and owners.

Veterinary professionals can support clients by recommending indoor alternatives, shaded outdoor play areas, or early morning and evening walks. Normalizing these seasonal adjustments can help reduce owners’ guilt and worry about these necessary changes.

Disasters and preparedness: A wake-up call

Beyond heat, most dog owners in our study expressed concern about storms, floods, wildfires, or earthquakes affecting their pets. Furthermore, we found that the majority (83%) of participants said they would not evacuate during a disaster if they could not take their dog. Younger and middle-income owners were especially likely to say they would stay behind.¹ Despite this, about a fourth of participants indicated they did not have a transportation plan for their dogs or knew how to access pet-friendly shelters. Only 59% had a full emergency plan and just 46% had a disaster kit prepared. This lack of preparation carries serious implications and endangers the lives of both humans and animals.⁴

Veterinary teams can help by initiating conversations about disaster preparedness and normalizing this as an important aspect of responsible ownership. Hospitals can create disaster kit handouts or checklists, and/or post on their website, to give clients concrete tools to utilize.

Owners want guidance—from us

Our results suggest owners want pet safety guidance from their veterinary team, yet only 28% had talked about an evacuation plan with their veterinarian. This suggests a missed opportunity for veterinary teams to help ensure pet safety.

Specifically, owners told us they want more information from their veterinary team on the following:

• Heat stroke and heat exhaustion (e.g., signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, immediate first aid and emergency steps, when to seek veterinary care)
• Cooling and hydration strategies (e.g., best methods to cool down an overheated dog,proper hydration techniques, safe water consumption)
• Safe outdoor activities (e.g., maximum safe time outdoors in hot temperatures, appropriate exercise intensity, surface temperature considerations)
• Emergency preparedness (e.g., evacuation plans for extreme weather, emergency kits for pets, identifying safe locations)
• Breed and individual dog considerations (e.g., breed-specific heat tolerance, special precautions for puppies, elderly, or overweight dogs, individual dog's health conditions and heat interaction)
• Prevention and protection (e.g., preventative measures against heat-related issues, protective gear, grooming considerations).

Practical steps for veterinary professionals

Based on our findings, we suggest the following ways for veterinary teams to help ensure dog safety:

• Incorporate heat safety reminders into summer wellness visits and newsletters.
• Give tailored advice for brachycephalic, obese, or senior patients.
• Stress the benefits of active versus passive cooling methods.
• Offer disaster planning checklists and contact information for pet-friendly shelters.
• Partner with shelters or emergency services to host community workshops.

In summary, our research found that while dog owners are concerned about heat and extreme weather, many lack the knowledge and tools they need to protect their pets. Veterinary teams are in a unique position to close this gap. By proactively engaging clients on these topics, we can reduce preventable illness and death. These short conversations in the exam room can make all the difference.

Lori Kogan, PhD, is a professor of clinical sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is the chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and editor-in-chief of the Human-Animal Interaction journal, an open-access, online publication published by the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). She has published numerous journal articles and books, including Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond and Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction. Kogan presents regularly on topics related to human-animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues. She is currently engaged in several research projects pertaining to the intersection of the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine.

Ashley Etue, DVM, is a staff veterinarian with the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC, and the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a resident with the American College of Animal Welfare. Her interests include community medicine, access to care, geriatric medicine and end-of-life care, and companion animal welfare.

References

1. Etue A, Kogan L, Brown E. Dog owners’ perceptions and behaviors regarding extreme heat and weather events. Accessed August 22, 2025. HAI 2025;13. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/epdf/10.1079/hai.2025.0035.
2. Hall E, Carter AJ, O’Neill DG. Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. Sci Rep 2020;10:9128.
3. Hall E, Carter A, O’Neill D. Dogs Don’t Die Just in Hot Cars—Exertional Heat-Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs. Animals 2020;10:1324.
4. Quintana J, Viola L, Sanchez V, et al. Preparing pets and their people: opportunity for veterinary teams to promote disaster preparedness in their communities. Accessed March 28, 2025. Front Vet Sci 2025;12. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1442482/full.