Hydration & staying cool

  • Put out several bowls of fresh water and refill often; add ice cubes or a splash of water to meals.
  • Give a truly cool rest spot — a fan, AC room, cool tiled floor, or a damp towel to lie on. A frozen water bottle wrapped in cloth works too.
  • Feed in the cooler hours; a smaller appetite in extreme heat is normal (but see the FAQ on when it's not).

Walks, paws & the parked-car rule

  • Walk early morning or after sunset only. Skip the midday sun entirely in peak summer.
  • The 7-second test: press the back of your hand to the pavement. Can't hold it for 7 seconds? It will burn paw pads — walk on grass or wait for it to cool.
  • Never leave a pet in a parked car, even briefly with windows cracked — the temperature becomes lethal within minutes.

Grooming, parasites & sunburn

  • Don't shave to the skin — the coat insulates against heat and blocks sunburn. Brush out dead undercoat and trim tidily instead.
  • Light-coated or thin-furred pets can sunburn on ears and nose — keep them out of direct midday sun.
  • Heat and humidity are tick and flea season. Keep prevention going — see how to get rid of ticks and fleas.

Know the danger signs

Get to a vet fast if you see frantic panting, thick drool, bright-red or dark gums, weakness, vomiting, or collapse — that's heatstroke, and it can kill within minutes. In cats, open-mouth panting is itself a warning sign and needs urgent attention.

For a non-emergency check-up in the heat, a home-visit vet spares your pet a hot car ride — post what you need and your budget, and verified vets respond.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep my dog cool in Pakistan's summer?

Walk only in the early morning or after sunset, provide constant shade and several bowls of fresh water, and let them rest somewhere cool — a fan, AC, cool tiled floor, or a damp towel to lie on. Test the pavement with the back of your hand: too hot for 7 seconds means too hot for paws. Never leave a dog in a parked car.

Why has my dog stopped eating in the summer heat?

A mild drop in appetite during extreme heat is common — dogs conserve energy and eat less when it's very hot. Feed in the cooler hours (early morning, late evening), add water or a little wet food, and keep water available. But total refusal for over 24 hours, or refusal with vomiting, lethargy, or bright-red gums, needs a vet — it can be heatstroke or illness.

Should I shave my dog's coat for summer?

Not down to the skin, especially double-coated breeds — the coat actually insulates against heat and protects from sunburn. Regular brushing to remove dead undercoat and a tidy trim is better than shaving. Ask a groomer or vet what suits your specific breed.

How do I keep cats cool and hydrated?

Cats hide the heat well, so make cool spots easy: shaded, ventilated rooms, a fan, and cool tiled floors. Encourage water with several bowls, a pet water fountain, or adding water to wet food. Watch for lethargy, panting (abnormal in cats — a warning sign), or drooling, which need a vet.

Garmi mein pet ka khayal kaise rakhein?

Din ke thande waqt (subah jaldi ya shaam) walk karwayen, hamesha saaf thanda paani aur chhaon rakhein, garam farsh/sarak par na chalayen (paon jal jate hain), aur gaari mein akela na chhoren. Zyada hanpna, sustii, ya laal masoore heatstroke ki nishani hain — foran vet ko dikhayen. MatchVet par ghar per vet bulaya ja sakta hai.

Sources & further reading

Medically reviewed by Dr. Yahya Nawaz (DVM, RVMP) — Founder of MatchVet · In-charge, Civil Veterinary Hospital, Ghang, Sheikhupura. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis; for your own pet, ask a verified vet.