06/06/2026
☀️ ALASKA SUMMER IS HERE: How Hot is Too Hot For Your Pet? ☀️
We love this beautiful sunshine, but our pets are wearing permanent fur coats! Because dogs don't sweat like we do (they only release heat through panting and the pads of their paws), they can overheat much faster than you think.
When temperatures climb, our urgent care team sees a spike in heat-related visits.
Here is what you need to know to keep your best friend safe this week:
🐾 The "Five-Second Rule" for Pavement Asphalt and concrete trap heat. If it's 75°F outside, that black pavement can easily reach over 125°F—hot enough to burn sensitive paw pads in seconds. Before walking, touch the pavement with the back of your hand for 5 seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws! Stick to the grass or trail shade.
🛑 Signs of Heat Exhaustion (Don't Ignore These!):
• Excessive, heavy panting or loud, raspy breathing.
• Gums that are bright red, purple, or dry/sticky (instead of a healthy pink).
• Extreme lethargy, weakness, or stumbling.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
💡 Quick Tips to Keep Them Cool:
1️⃣ Ditch the midday exercise: Keep walks restricted to the early morning or late evening when temps drop.
2️⃣ Ice is your friend: Drop ice cubes in their water dish or freeze some pet-safe broth for a cooling treat.
3️⃣ Never leave them in the car: Even with the windows cracked, a car can turn into an oven in minutes. Leave them home in the shade if you're running errands!
If your pet shows signs of overheating, move them to an air-conditioned space or shade immediately, place cool (not freezing) wet towels on their belly and paws, and get them to a vet right away.
Stay cool out there, everyone! 🐾
👇 Drop a picture of your pet staying cool in the comments!
