Hot Weather
Heat and humidity – and conditions that come with them – can pose a risk to dogs.

• Make sure your dog has shade when outside.
• Supply plenty of cool water in a clean bowl.
• Make your dog rest between periods of exercise.
• Avoid excessive exercise of dogs during hot days or warm, humid nights. The best time to exercise dogs is either early in the morning before sunrise or late in the evening after the sun goes down.
• Watch for muscle weakness, heavy panting, dry skin, rapid heartbeat and/or collapse. It can mean heatstroke. Get to shade, give small amounts of water, immerse your dog in cool water if possible and get to your veterinarian.
• In some areas, summer means mosquitoes and the risk of heartworm. See your veterinarian for preventative treatment. Read about heartworm and other parasites.
• The problem of fleas and ticks intensifies during summer months. Read about controlling Fleas and Ticks.
• Hot pavement, sticky tar or gravel may cause footpad problems. To remove tar from footpads, rub them with petroleum jelly and then gently wash with mild soap and water and rinse thoroughly.
• Never leave your dog confined in a car or any other poorly ventilated enclosure; it can be fatal to a pet.

Cold Weather

• Remove salt, ice and packed snow from your dog’s paws.
• Make sure your dog isn't left "out in the cold." Provide warm shelter or let him inside on cold nights. Your pet's shelter should be insulated, elevated, protected from prevailing winds and watertight.
• Feed your dog extra food if he spends time outside. It takes energy to keep warm.
• If you have an indoor dog, winter may mean less exercise outside, which could mean weight gain. Watch your dog’s body condition and adjust feeding amounts as needed.
• If your dog is outside, let him run around. It keeps the blood flowing.
• You may find your indoor pet experiencing dry skin and shedding. This is usually the result of low humidity. Frequent brushing helps remove dead hairs, skin and stimulates oil glands.
• Dampness is a winter danger. Dry your pet if he gets wet and do all you can to keep him dry.
• Keep fireplaces screened and train pets to keep a safe distance; cinders and fumes can cause problems
• If your pet suffers from frostbite, do not rub the skin. Get your dog in a warm place. Apply warm moist towels to frostbitten areas. Change them until the area becomes flushed. Severe frostbite damages paws and ear tips so see your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Storms
Whether it’s a winter or summer storm, your pet should not be left outside. Dangers include:

• Flying debris that can strike and injure your pet.
• Excessive cold and wet that leave your dog miserable and weakened.
• Lightning can pose the same risks to dogs that it can to humans.
• Winter winds and snow can lead to frostbite, chapping and hypothermia.
• Dogs have natural coats, but they aren’t invincible. If you wouldn’t want to stay out in the weather, your dog shouldn’t either.