Triple-digit afternoons are hard on pets. Simple grooming, walking and home habits that help them handle the heat.
Summer afternoons in Eastvale often top 100 degrees, and pavement can get far hotter than the air. Dogs and cats cool themselves mainly by panting, which makes them more vulnerable to heat than we are. A few routine changes keep them safe and comfortable from June to October.
1. Move walks to the cool hours
Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset. Before heading out, press the back of your hand on the sidewalk for seven seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for paws. Stick to grass and shade where you can, and bring water on every walk.
2. Groom, but do not shave
Thick undercoats trap heat when they are matted. Regular brushing with a dematting comb or a grooming glove removes loose fur so air can move through the coat. Most double-coated breeds should not be shaved, because the outer coat also protects the skin from sunburn. Ask your groomer or vet what suits your pet.
3. Keep nails short
Long nails change how a dog walks and can make slick floors harder to manage when a pet is already tired from the heat. A quick trim every few weeks with clippers that have a safety guard keeps paws comfortable.
4. Set up a cool spot indoors
- Leave fresh water in more than one room, and add ice cubes on hot days.
- Give pets a shady, tiled area or a cooling mat to lie on.
- Never leave a pet in a parked car, even with the windows down. The inside can pass 120 degrees within minutes.
5. Know the warning signs
Heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, wobbling or vomiting can mean heatstroke. Move your pet to a cool area, offer small sips of water, wet them with cool (not ice-cold) water and call your veterinarian right away.
This article is general information, not professional advice. Updated August 18, 2026.