Keeping Your Pet Cool, Comfortable and Healthy in Every Season

From summer heatwaves to winter chills, every season brings new challenges. Here's how to keep your pet thriving all year round.

Summer: Watch the Midday Heat

Pavement can get hot enough to burn paws well before it feels uncomfortable to you in shoes. As a rule, if you can't hold the back of your hand on it comfortably for five seconds, it's too hot for a walk.

Keep Water Easily Available

Pets drink more in warmer weather, and a fresh, appealing water source makes a real difference to how much they actually drink. A circulating fountain tends to encourage more frequent drinking than a still bowl, especially for cats.

Winter: Cold Affects Pets Too

Smaller, short-haired or older pets often feel the cold more than people expect. Shorter walks in extreme weather and a warm, draft-free sleeping spot go a long way, particularly for senior pets.

Comfort isn't one-size-fits-all across the year — what your pet needs changes with the season.

Signs of Overheating or Discomfort

Excessive panting, lethargy, or reluctance to move in summer, and shivering or reluctance to go outside in winter, are all signs worth paying attention to. If anything seems off, it's always worth a vet check rather than assuming it'll pass.