Keeping Pets Safe in the Summer Heat: How We Adjust for Warm Weather

As we dive into the summer months, we wanted to take a moment to share how we’re adjusting our care routines to keep your pets safe, healthy, and comfortable during rising temperatures. Your pet's well-being is our top priority, and hot weather can bring unique challenges, especially for certain dogs like seniors, puppies under 6 months, short-nosed breeds, and pets carrying extra weight.

Heat Safety Comes First

During summer, heat and humidity can build quickly, especially in the middle of the day. Our team is staying extra vigilant to prevent overheating or signs of heat stroke while out on walks or during playtime.

While we typically do not shorten visits, we do adapt what we do during them. Here's how we’re modifying our services:

Limiting Outdoor Time: We keep outside time short and sweet, especially when temperatures are high.

• 70–75°F: Max 20 minutes outside (less for brachycephalic breeds or dogs with health issues)

• 75–80°F: Max 15 minutes outside for short-nosed breeds

• 80–85°F: Max 20 minutes for healthy adult dogs

• Above 85°F: Max 15 minutes, even for the most active pups

Seeking Shade & Staying Cool: We walk in the shade whenever possible and encourage dogs to take breaks. If you have a portable pet water bottle, we’d love it if you could leave it out for us to bring on walks.

Enrichment Over Exercise: For the time spent indoors, we’ll switch gears and focus on fun enrichment games. From puzzle toys and treat scavenger hunts to basic manners and hide-and-seek, we keep your pet’s mind active even if the weather says "rest."

Flexible Visit Modifications: In rare situations, if a pet parent is home and the indoor space is not ideal (for example, if the sitter and client are in the same small room), we may need to shorten a visit slightly. If this ever happens, your sitter will note it in your visit summary and we will adjust your invoice accordingly.

How Our Pet Parents Can Help

• Leaving out a portable water bottle for your dog is is a huge help during hot days.

• Items like cooling mats or fans can help pets settle in more comfortably after walks. If you already use these at home, great! If not, we're happy to make suggestions.

• Let your walker know if you and your dog are working on skills that they could reinforce inside when it’s too hot.

• Leave out any enrichment items that your dog and their walker could engage with if it’s too hot.

We're Here for You and Your Pets

As always, we’re committed to thoughtful, individualized care and will use our best judgment to ensure your pet remains safe and happy. If you ever have questions, concerns, or fun summer enrichment ideas to share, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Stay cool and hydrated!