Our pets rely entirely on us to keep them safe during Australia's punishing summer heat. Unlike humans, dogs and cats can't sweat effectively to cool down. They depend on panting and behavioural changes to manage heat. When temperatures soar into the high thirties and forties, our pets are at serious risk of heat stress and death if we don't take proper precautions.

Dogs suffer more in heat than cats because many dogs are active, excitable, and don't have the sense to slow down when they're overheating. Certain breeds are particularly vulnerable. Brachycephalic breeds like pugs, bulldogs, boxers, and French bulldogs struggle to breathe normally even in moderate temperatures.

Extreme heat is genuinely life-threatening for them.

These dogs should be kept in air-conditioned environments during heat waves and only taken outside for brief toilet breaks during the coolest parts of the day.

Large, heavy-coated breeds like huskies, malamutes, and Saint Bernards were bred for cold climates. Australian summers are torture for them.

They need access to air conditioning or at least evaporative cooling during extreme heat.

Shaving these dogs seems logical but actually removes their insulation against heat.

A trim is fine, but taking them down to the skin removes their natural temperature regulation. Consult a professional groomer about appropriate summer cuts for heavy-coated breeds.

Water availability is the single most important thing you can provide.

Dogs need constant access to clean, fresh water. In hot weather, check water bowls multiple times daily because water evaporates quickly and bowls can be knocked over. Multiple water stations around your house and yard mean water is always nearby. Adding ice cubes to water bowls helps keep water cool longer.

Freezing water in large containers provides ice blocks that slowly melt throughout the day. Shade isn't optional.

Dogs tied up in yards without shade suffer and can die.

Trees provide better shade than structures because they allow air circulation.

If you don't have natural shade, create it with shade cloth, tarps, or shade sails.

Dog houses can become ovens in summer heat.

They need to be well-ventilated, in shade, and large enough that your dog isn't cramped. Many dogs prefer to lie in the open under a tree rather than in a dog house during summer.

Exercise timing requires adjustment in summer. Walk dogs early morning before 7am or late evening after 8pm when temperatures are cooler.

Midday walks in January can cause burned paws, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

Test pavement temperature with your bare hand. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

Hot pavement can cause severe burns in seconds. Stick to grass when possible. Swimming is excellent exercise that keeps dogs cool.

Off-leash beach time early morning or late evening combines exercise with temperature regulation. Heat stroke symptoms in dogs include excessive panting, drooling, reddened gums, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, collapse, and seizures.

Heat stroke is a veterinary emergency requiring immediate treatment.

While transporting your dog to the vet, cool them with wet towels, direct air from car air conditioning vents toward them, and if possible have someone call ahead so the vet clinic is prepared.

Heat stroke can cause organ failure and death even if the dog seems to recover initially. Never leave dogs in cars in summer, even with windows cracked.

The temperature inside a parked car can reach lethal levels within minutes. Even on a mild 25-degree day, the inside of a car can reach 40 degrees in 10 minutes. On a 35-degree day, which is common in January, the inside of a car can exceed 60 degrees.

Dogs left in hot cars suffer terribly before dying. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, note the location, registration, and car details, then call police or your state RSPCA immediately.

In life-threatening situations, breaking a window to save a dog's life may be legally defensible, though check your state laws.

Swimming pools and water play provide relief but come with risks. Not all dogs can swim. Bulldogs, pugs, and other brachycephalic breeds often can't swim due to their body structure and should never be left unsupervised near water. Install pool fencing or covers to prevent accidental drowning.

Show dogs where pool steps are located so they can exit if they fall in.

Rinse dogs after swimming in chlorinated pools because chlorine can irritate skin. Saltwater also needs rinsing because it dries skin.

Provide shallow wading pools or sprinklers for dogs who don't swim but enjoy water play. Cats generally manage heat better than dogs because they're smart enough to sleep through the worst of it.

Provide multiple cool spots around the house where cats can choose their preferred location.

Tiled floors, bathtubs, and sinks become favourite cat spots in summer. Some cats enjoy shallow water play. Puzzle toys with frozen treats provide entertainment and cooling.

Cats are more likely than dogs to reduce activity in heat, but monitor them for signs of heat stress including excessive panting, lethargy, or drooling.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets are extremely vulnerable to heat stress. They can't pant effectively and have limited options for cooling themselves. Hutches must be in complete shade with excellent ventilation. Moving outdoor hutches inside during heat waves is safest.

Freeze water bottles and place them in hutches so animals can lie against them.

Provide multiple water sources. Mist small pets lightly with cool water during extreme heat.

Avoid handling them excessively during hot weather because body heat transfers from your hands to their small bodies. Birds require careful heat management.

Cages should be in shaded areas with good air circulation but away from draughts. Provide water for drinking and bathing. Many birds enjoy being misted with water.

Frozen fruit treats provide nutrition and cooling. Never place bird cages near windows in direct sun. Monitor birds closely during heat waves because they can succumb to heat stress quickly. Fish tanks need temperature monitoring in summer. Water temperatures rising above species-specific tolerances cause stress and death. Keep tanks away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Room air conditioning helps maintain stable water temperatures. Aquarium coolers or fans directed across water surface can lower temperatures.

Reduce feeding during heat waves because uneaten food decomposes faster in warm water and degrades water quality.

Pet insurance doesn't cover heat stress in many policies because it's considered preventable. Veterinary treatment for heat stroke is expensive, often running into thousands of dollars for emergency care, hospitalisation, and treatment for organ damage.

Prevention costs nothing except vigilance and planning. Grooming for summer helps but requires care. Regular brushing removes loose undercoat that acts as insulation. However, shaving double-coated breeds removes their natural temperature regulation.

Professional groomers understand which breeds benefit from summer cuts and which don't. Bath your pets more frequently in summer because clean coats are more effective at temperature regulation than dirty ones. Use pet-safe grooming products because human products can irritate pet skin.

Livestock and farm animals need consideration too. Horses require constant water access, shade, and reduced work during extreme heat.

Cattle need shade, water, and supplemental feeding during heat waves when pasture quality drops.

Chickens need shade, cool water, and misting systems during extreme heat. Heat stress reduces egg production and can kill birds. Farm animals represent financial investment and should be protected accordingly.

Wild animals and local wildlife struggle during heat waves too.

Providing water sources for wildlife helps birds, possums, lizards, and other creatures struggling with heat.

Shallow dishes of water placed safely away from predators can save wildlife lives. Change water daily to prevent mosquito breeding.

Don't interfere with wildlife otherwise, but providing water during extreme heat is humane and helpful.

Planning for extreme weather includes your pets. If evacuating due to bushfire or other emergencies, take your pets with you if safe to do so.

Have carriers or crates ready for each pet. Ensure pets are microchipped and registered so they can be returned if separated.

Keep a pet emergency kit with food, water, medication, and important documents.

Research pet-friendly accommodation options for evacuation scenarios because not all emergency accommodations accept pets.

Your pets trust you completely to keep them safe and comfortable.

During Australia's harsh summer, that means providing water, shade, cooler environments, modified exercise, and constant vigilance for signs of heat stress.

Pets can't tell us they're struggling until it's often too late.

By anticipating their needs and taking preventive action, we can get them through summer safely.

Heat stress and death in pets is almost entirely preventable. All it takes is awareness, planning, and putting their needs ahead of our convenience.