08/18/2026
☀️🐾 SUMMER HEAT IS NO JOKE! 🐾☀️
Mississippi summers can turn from “pleasantly warm” to “WHY IS THE AIR A SOUP?” pretty quickly. While we may be able to sweat and reach for a cold drink, our pets need our help staying safe and comfortable in the heat.
Here are a few simple ways to protect your four-legged family members this summer:
💧 KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE
Make sure your pets always have access to clean, cool water. Outside pets may need their water refreshed more often on hot days.
🌳 PROVIDE SHADE & SHELTER
If your pet spends time outdoors, they need a shady, well-ventilated place to escape the sun. A doghouse sitting in direct sunlight can become dangerously hot inside.
🚗 NEVER LEAVE PETS IN A PARKED CAR
Even with the windows cracked, temperatures inside a vehicle can become deadly within minutes. If you see an animal trapped in a hot vehicle, contact local authorities for help.
🔥 WATCH THOSE HOT SURFACES
Sidewalks, asphalt and concrete can become scorching hot and burn paw pads. If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your pet's paws. Try walks in the early morning or evening instead.
🐕 DON'T OVERDO EXERCISE
Heat and humidity make exercise much harder on animals. Keep summer adventures shorter, provide plenty of water and give your pet lots of opportunities to rest.
🐾 KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Heavy or excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, stumbling or collapse can be signs of heatstroke. Heatstroke is an emergency. Move the animal to a cooler area and seek veterinary care immediately.
🐶 REMEMBER THE LITTLE GUYS!
Puppies, senior pets, overweight animals, and pets with certain medical conditions can be especially vulnerable to heat.
And one more important reminder: please don't shave your pet down to the skin unless your veterinarian recommends it. A healthy coat can actually help protect pets from the sun and heat.
🌡️ This summer, let's keep those tails wagging and those paws cool!
When the temperature rises, bring your pets into the plan. They depend on us to be their cool-down crew. 🧊🐾
