Beating the Savannah Heat: Protecting Your Pet in a Lowcountry Summer

Brought to you by Case Veterinary Hospital — caring for Savannah’s pets since 1909.

If you’ve spent a July afternoon in Savannah, you already know our summers don’t play around. The combination of high heat and thick Lowcountry humidity makes it harder for dogs and cats to cool themselves — and that turns an ordinary walk into a real risk. Here’s how to keep your pet safe when the temperature climbs.

Do the Pavement Test

Asphalt and brick — including a lot of our historic sidewalks — soak up heat and can burn paw pads long after the air feels tolerable. Before a walk, press the back of your hand to the pavement for about seven seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws. Stick to grass and shade, or walk early in the morning or after sunset when surfaces have cooled.

A Few Simple Habits

• Walk early or late. Avoid the midday sun, especially from late morning through late afternoon.
• Bring water and take shade breaks. Hydration matters as much for them as it does for you.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car — not even for a few minutes, and not even with the windows cracked. The interior heats to dangerous levels astonishingly fast.

Know Who’s Most at Risk

Some pets overheat more easily: flat-faced (“brachycephalic”) breeds like bulldogs, boxers, and Persian cats; senior pets; overweight pets; and dogs with thick or dark coats. If that’s your pet, be extra cautious.

Recognize Heatstroke — It’s an Emergency

Watch for heavy or frantic panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, lethargy or confusion, vomiting, stumbling, or collapse. If you see these signs:

1. Move your pet into shade or air conditioning right away.
2. Cool them gradually with cool (not ice-cold) water over the body, paws, and belly. Ice-cold water can actually slow cooling.
3. Offer small amounts of water to drink.
4. Get to a veterinarian immediately. Heatstroke can become life-threatening quickly, and pets that seem to recover can still have internal effects that need treatment.

Heat is one of the most preventable dangers our pets face here. A little planning around the Savannah summer keeps the season fun for everyone.

Case Veterinary Hospital — Caring for Savannah’s pets since 1909. 111 Eisenhower Dr, Savannah, GA 31406 · (912) 352-3081 · casevet.com Open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. For an after-hours emergency, contact your nearest emergency veterinary hospital right away.