© 2026 ABC News

2 - Dogs with dark coats heat up faster.

It's common sense, but the darker your pup, the hotter it's going to get.

\"The most common dogs that are going to get heat stroke, are the larger dogs with black coats, brown coats, because they do absorb the rays of the sun,\" he said. \"I have a tan dog and a black dog, and the black dog can't be in the sun at all! He will get very, very hot, very, very quickly.\"

In the summer, pet owners need to be aware of threats such as bees & snakes. Bites & stings can be harmful to animals & potentially life threatening. Be on the lookout while your pet is relaxing. #TipTuesday https://t.co/6XWUWdkaey pic.twitter.com/oEk2djprGZ

— AnimalLeague (@AnimalLeague) July 31, 2018

3 - Water and shade are a dog's best friend.

If you do have your pup out with you in the heat, make sure there is a place with shade for them to relax.

Also, they absolutely need to drink more water, just like you do, so they don't get dehydrated.

\"Make sure you have a big bowl, filled with water and ice, so they can cool themselves down,\" Verdino.

Also have an exit strategy, in case you see signs of overheating like panting, disorientation or difficulty moving. Don't get stuck far away from home or transit when your dog starts to overheat.

4 - Stating the obvious here, but NEVER leave your dog in a car!

You've seen the viral videos online of good Samaritans breaking car windows to help dogs stuck inside while their owners are running errands.

When in a car, dogs love getting a breath of fresh air but it is possible they get scratched by a branch or another object while sticking their head out the window. One way to avoid this is to use a dog harness designed for cars to keep them from doing so. https://t.co/VvB9y4mzUc pic.twitter.com/F2QgTatnzp

— AnimalLeague (@AnimalLeague) July 27, 2018

\"People go, 'Oh, I'm just running to pick up my dry cleaning.'\" Verdino said. \"Even if that's a minute, that's a minute too long.\"

5 - Be aware of pavement and paws.

It can be a beautiful, 75-degree day, but if the sun is shining down on black pavement, that can severely burn your little buddy's paws.

When going on a road trip make sure your pet is in a confined and well-ventilated area but are still able to stand up, sit and lay down comfortably. If your pet is given too much space they can possibly get injured. Click here for more travel tips! https://t.co/KOUs9vSGAc pic.twitter.com/8yBLz06cVE

— AnimalLeague (@AnimalLeague) July 25, 2018

Think about you walking across your driveway in bare feet, would you want that pain for your dog? (That's a rhetorical question!)

\"Pavement can up to 130, 140 degrees, even if the temperature is only 80, 85 outside,\" he added.

Verdino says he's seen third-degree burns on dogs paws from hot pavements.

6 - Keep exercise with your pup to a minimum.

They certainly like to run and explore, but if it's really hot and humid out, you need to let them release their pent-up energy inside instead of outdoors.

\"People let their dogs run around in parks and take them exercising in weather that's over 80 degrees, but that should be kept to a minimum,\" Verdino said.

7 - Any squishy-face dog, watch them closely too.

Road trips can take a toll on your pet’s bladder. It is important that you take frequent bathroom breaks when going on a long car ride so your pet can be comfortable. Click the link for more tips! https://t.co/Pc2thrI0lD pic.twitter.com/yYd4Bt8Rqt

— AnimalLeague (@AnimalLeague) July 22, 2018

Bulldogs, pugs, those types often have breathing problems as it is, so watch them when they are outside in the heat.

They sure are cute, but Verdino says anything \"that exacerbates their need to pant, could put them into distress.\"

","canonicalUrl":"https://abcnews.com/GMA/Pets/essential-tips-dog-owners-dealing-summer-heat/story?id=57019273","legacySlug":"/news/story/essential-tips-dog-owners-dealing-summer-heat-57019273","noIndexNoFollow":false},"publishTime":"08:28","publishDate":"08-07-2018","updatedTime":"14:22","updatedDate":"08-07-2018","socialImage":{"alt":"A man takes his British bulldog for a walk in this stock photo.","credit":"STOCK/Getty Images","ratio":"16x9","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/dog-walking-gty-jef-180803_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg","width":992,"height":558},"datePublished":"8/7/2018 08:28:00 GMT","video":{"live":false,"id":57019273,"headline":"7 essential tips for dog owners in summer","mediaAssetTitle":"rothman_dogs_heat_180803","description":"Your dog loves the outdoors, but is it safe to let them run free in the heat?","duration":"0:24","posterImg":{"url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","width":608,"height":342},"video":{"feed":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2018/05/180530_gma_digital_floats_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8"},"playlist":["132306053","132266872","132055565"]},"relatedItems":[{"contentType":"video","date":"April 23, 2026","headline":"Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","section":"News","slug":"/video/132306053","id":"132306053","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Trump orders Navy to 'shoot and kill' any boat laying mines in Strait of Hormuz","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260423_gma_scott_ceasefire3_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 22, 2026","headline":"Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","section":"News","slug":"/video/132266872","id":"132266872","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: Fallout after Fed nominee grilled on Capitol Hill","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260422_gma_schulze_fed3_713_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}},{"contentType":"video","date":"April 15, 2026","headline":"American influencer found dead in Tanzania","section":"News","slug":"/video/132055565","id":"132055565","image":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","ratio":"1x1","url":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","width":384,"height":384},"images":{"alt":"VIDEO: American influencer found dead in Tanzania","credit":"ABCNews.com","crops":[{"16x9":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"9x16":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_9x16_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg"}},{"1x1":{"small":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_608.jpg","medium":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_992.jpg","large":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/260415_gma_norwood_ashlee2_732_hpMain_1x1_1600.jpg"}}]}}],"relatedContentSection":"news","schemaContent":{"name":"7 essential tips for dog owners in summer","description":"Your dog loves the outdoors, but is it safe to let them run free in the heat?","duration":"0:24","uploadDate":"08-07-2018","publication":"08-07-2018","images":"https://s.abcnews.com/images/GMA/default-img-undefined.png","url":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2018/05/180530_gma_digital_floats_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","contentUrl":"https://service-pkgabcnews.akamaized.net/opp/hls/abcnews/2018/05/180530_gma_digital_floats_,500,800,1200,1800,2500,3200,4500,.mp4.csmil/playlist.m3u8","link":"https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/pets/story/essential-tips-dog-owners-dealing-summer-heat-57019273"}},"playlist":[{"id":"132281378","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132283010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132273278","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132231169","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132206748","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132200241","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054443","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132054798","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"132033010","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131912713","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131830583","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131834976","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554765","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131554815","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131543053","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131432442","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131121474","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131247079","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131228784","contentType":"story","section":"news"},{"id":"131178806","contentType":"story","section":"news"}],"kvps":{"pgtyp":"article","lang":"en","sp":"goodmorningamerica","programmatic":"true","bundleId":"com.abcnews"}},"analytics":{"accountID":"wdgnewwdgnewgmaweb","ns":"gma","pageName":"gma:pets:video","pageType":"video","globalSpecVersion":"v1.08","siteDifferentiator":"gma:site","tagID":"g_page01","userABCookie":"0","section":"pets","title":"7 essential tips for dog owners in summer","pubTime":"04:28","pubDate":"08-07-2018","modTime":"10:22","modDate":"08-07-2018","taxonomyTags":"none","id":57019273,"editorialOtherSubjects":"","wordCount":"none","columns":"none","authors":"","authorsUnit":"none","authorsBureau":"none","subBrand":"Good Morning America","provider":"Good Morning America","videoName":"7 essential tips for dog owners in summer","mediaAssetTitle":"rothman_dogs_heat_180803","videoId":57019273,"mediaOnPage":"video","legacySlug":"/news/story/essential-tips-dog-owners-dealing-summer-heat-57019273"},"taboola":{}},"request":{"headers":{},"httpVersion":"1.1","method":"GET","url":"/video/57019273","vary":{"host":"www.goodmorningamerica.com","cached":true,"path":"/video/57019273","forwarded-proto":"https","device":"desktop","userab":"0"}},"viewport":{"width":1260,"height":0},"user":{}};