How to Keep Pets and Horses Safe in Extreme Heat: Tips from Florida Animal Experts

As temperatures soar across the U.S., pet owners are working hard to protect their animals from dangerous heat. From small house pets like cats and dogs to large animals like horses, the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses is very real.

In South Florida, where both the heat and humidity are intense, animal care takes extra effort. Local experts are sharing advice to help pet owners keep their animals safe and healthy through the hottest days of the year.

Caring for Horses in South Florida’s Sweltering Heat

Alicia Grace owns Pink Flamingo Stables in Lake Worth Beach, where she cares for eight full-size horses and three ponies. She says keeping horses cool is a daily challenge in the tropical climate.

“Not only do we have the heat, but we also have all the humidity,” Grace explained. “And with that comes the bugs — flies and mosquitoes — which can actually breed in their cuts and cause all sorts of issues.”

Grace makes sure her horses have constant access to water, stay out of direct sunlight, and enjoy the comfort of large fans inside their barns.

“We bathe them daily, and we have cooling blankets that you can actually put on after a ride,” she said.

While smaller pets can be brought inside to enjoy air conditioning, that’s not a practical solution for horses.

“They actually do now make air conditioning units for horses, but they are quite expensive,” Grace noted. “It is definitely a different animal and definitely requires a lot more care.”

Besides the heat, Florida’s rainy season brings flooding that can lead to serious hoof issues.

“If the horses are out in that and their hooves get saturated, they can get abscesses, which are pus pockets, and get a lot of problems with their feet,” Grace said.

Keeping Cats and Dogs Cool and Safe

For smaller pets like cats and dogs, the risks are still serious — especially when they’re left outside for too long or inside hot vehicles.

Arielle Weinberger, spokeswoman for Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, says it’s critical to provide shade and water at all times.

One of the biggest dangers is leaving pets inside a car, even for a short time.

“In Palm Beach County, it’s illegal to leave animals unattended in vehicles for any amount of time,” Weinberger said. “Even if the window is cracked, even if the A/C is on — animals cannot be left alone in a vehicle.”

That’s because car interiors heat up fast. On a hot day, the temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.

Dog owners should also be careful when walking their pets on pavement. Concrete and asphalt can get as hot as 125°F (52°C) in summer.

“If it’s too hot for you to touch with a bare foot or a bare hand, it’s too hot for your pets, as well,” Weinberger advised.

If walking on grass or dirt isn’t an option, pet owners might want to use booties or paw wax to protect their pets’ feet.

What to Do If an Animal Overheats

Whether it’s a pet or a wild animal, signs of heatstroke can be dangerous. Look out for:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Dizziness

If an animal shows any of these signs, cool them down immediately with water on their head, stomach, and feet — and get them to a vet right away.

“We want to take them to the vet as soon as possible,” Weinberger said, “because heat stroke can lead to organ failure, and we want to make sure that it doesn’t get to that.”

Even people without pets can help by leaving out bowls of water for neighborhood cats, dogs, or wild animals in distress. If you spot a wild animal that seems sick or overheated, contact a wildlife rescue facility for help.

Community Pet Owners Are Pitching In

Many local pet owners are taking extra steps to help during the heat wave.

Matthew Puodziukaitis, a 19-year-old from Wellington, brings his mini goldendoodle Hazel to Okeeheelee Park. He always comes prepared with water and a bowl — not just for Hazel, but for other dogs, too.

“The last thing you want is a dog passing out or something bad happening to them out here,” he said. “They’re basically like a little kid. You want to make sure they’re okay.”

Final Thoughts

As the heat wave continues across the country, pet safety should remain a top priority. Whether you care for horses, dogs, cats, or wildlife, staying alert and prepared can save lives.

By providing shade, fresh water, and careful attention, pet owners and communities can help animals stay cool and healthy — even in record-breaking temperatures.