STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- Summer feels like a vacation to you, but to your pet it can mean a cascade of disruptions
- Stress in pets shows up quietly through panting or pacing, hiding, appetite changes, accidents in the house, destructive behavior, clinginess, or unusual aggression
- The biggest summer stressors include heat and humidity, fireworks, and thunderstorms, travel, and boarding , parasites, and the overstimulation of busier social calendars
- Simple adjustments make a real difference — set up a cool, quiet retreat space, keeping feeding and walking schedules consistent, offer enrichment toys, monitor skin and coat for irritation, and stay current on flea, tick, and heartworm prevention
- Some situations call for a vet — excessive panting or gasping for air, drooling, vomiting, weakness, or collapse can signal dangerous heat exhaustion; and ongoing anxiety, escalating behavior changes, or persistent scratching, chewing, or biting at the skin all deserve professional input
For you, summer is the good stuff. Longer days. Backyard cookouts. The kids are home from school. Maybe a road trip or two. But for your pet, it can be a season of small disruptions stacked on top of each other — kids in and out, schedules thrown off, strangers showing up at the door, fireworks at random times, and a sun that suddenly feels a lot hotter than it did in May.
If your dog or cat has been pacing more, hiding under the bed during the day, or just acting a little “off” lately, summer stress may be the reason. The good news: A few small adjustments can make the whole season easier on them.
Why Summer Throws Pets Off
Pets thrive on routine. They like knowing when meals happen, when walks happen, and when the house is calm. Summer, almost by definition, breaks all those patterns.
Kids are home more. Schedules shift. Visitors come and go. The house gets louder and busier than usual. On top of that, pets cannot regulate body heat the way you can, which means rising temperatures put physical stress on them, too. Add in unpredictable booms from fireworks or summer storms, and you have the perfect setup for anxiety.1,2,3
Signs Your Pet Is Struggling
Pets rarely complain. They communicate stress through small behavior shifts — and if you are not watching them, they are easy to miss. Some of the most common signs include:4,5,6
- Panting heavily even when they are resting
- Pacing or unwillingness to settle down
- Hiding or avoiding interaction with the family
- Loss of appetite or changes in eating habits
- Destructive behavior or accidents in the house
- Clinginess, shaking, or unusual aggression
If you are seeing one or two of these, it is worth a closer look at what is changed in your pet's environment or daily rhythm.
The Big Summer Stressors
Most summer stress in pets, traces back to a handful of triggers that tend to hit all at once. Knowing what they are makes it easier to step in early — and to figure out which one is behind your pet's behavior. Here is where most of the trouble comes from:7,8,9
- Heat and humidity — Warm weather can become uncomfortable fast, especially for pets with thick coats, including Siberian Huskies and Chow Chowsor brachycephalic breeds with shorter snouts, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs. Heat stress is more than just feeling warm — it can turn into a real health concern if it is not addressed. Humidity and activities such as swimming can also encourage the formation of hot spots — red, irritated patches of skin that pets will lick, bite, or chew at.
- Fireworks and loud noises — Summer celebrations often include fireworks, and the unpredictability and volume can be terrifying for pets. Frequent thunderstorms can trigger the same kind of reaction.
- Travel and boarding — Family vacations are exciting for the humans involved. For pets, traveling to unfamiliar places — or being left alone in a new place can feel confusing and unsettling. Even pets who are normally social can struggle with the change in environment
- Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes — Summer is peak season for pests. Bites and infestations can cause discomfort, restlessness, and the kind of chronic itching that makes pets miserable. And it is not just about comfort — these parasites can transmit diseases, which is why prevention and being proactive matters for the whole family.
- Increased social activity — Even friendly, well-socialized pets can get overstimulated. Sometimes they just need a quiet break from all of it.
Simple Ways to Help Your Pet Feel Calmer
You cannot keep the entire world quiet, but you can stack the deck in your pet's favor. Here are a few practical moves you can consider — small adjustments that can make a surprisingly significant difference:
- Set up a cool, quiet space where your pet can retreat away from the noise and activity.
- Keep feeding and walking on a consistent schedule, even when everything else is shifting.
- Offer enrichment toys or puzzle feeders to give your pet something to focus on.
- Make sure fresh water is always available and limit outdoor activities during peak heat.
- Talk to your vet about calming products if anxiety is becoming noticeable. Specific products are available for pets who have situational anxiety due to fireworks or thunderstorms – including natural herbal therapies as well as medication.
- Keep an eye on their skin and coat — watch for hot spots, irritation, or excessive scratching, biting or licking, which may require prescription medication for treatment.
Do Not Skip Preventive Care
Summer is one of the most important times of year to be proactive and stay current on your pet's preventive care. Flea and tick prevention all matter more when parasites are at their most active — and a routine wellness visit gives your vet a chance to spot early signs of stress, skin issues, or illness before they grow into bigger problems.
Natural solutions for pest and parasite prevention may include treating your yard with cedar oil or garlic spray; and using safe essential oils or herbal prevention for your pet; but some situations may require a more traditional approach. Depending on the situation, some pets may need medical treatment for fleas, ticks, and heartworm; be sure to work with your holistic vet to produce a plan for your pet.
If your pet is going to be socializing more, traveling, or boarding this summer, a check-in with your vet beforehand is one of the simplest things you can do to set them up for a smooth season.
Heat Stress: When It Stops Being Just Discomfort
Heat stress deserves its own moment of attention because it can escalate fast. Some warning signs that your pet may be overheating include:10
- Heavy, frantic panting does not settle down
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Weakness or collapse
If you see these signs, move your pet to a cool place, offer them water, and call your vet right away. Heat exhaustion is one of those summer issues that can move from mild to serious in minutes. Any breeds that are brachycephalic (short snouted) tend to be more sensitive to heat and care should be taken to keep them cool and hydrated. Also avoid excessive activities such as running or playing catch during the hottest time of day; and stick to these activities in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
When to Call the Vet
Mild summer stress is usually something you can manage at home. But some situations need professional input. Reach out to your vet if:
- Your pet’s anxiety is not getting better, or it is getting worse or your pet is showing excessive situational anxiety during fireworks or thunderstorms
- You are seeing signs of heat exhaustion including trouble breathing during hot weather, especially for brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs
- Your pet is scratching, chewing, or biting at their skin constantly
- Behavioral changes are escalating or becoming concerning
Early intervention is always easier — and a lot less stressful for everyone involved — than waiting until things spiral.
Reading the Room for Your Pet
One of the kindest ways to treat your pet right during this summer is to simply pay attention. Notice when your pet leaves the room during a gathering. Notice when the panting starts, when they want a little distance from the kids, or when their appetite is not what it usually is.
Your pet does not get to choose what kind of summer they have. They just live in the one you are creating around them. A cool quiet corner, a steady mealtime, a break from chaos, and a quick call to the vet when something feels off can go a long way toward making sure they enjoy the season, too.
A Better Summer for Both of You
Summer should be the season your pet looks forward to as much as you do. With a little awareness, some routine where you can keep it, and a willingness to read the small signals they're sending, you can help your dog or cat move through these months feeling calm, safe, and right at home — even when the rest of the house is anything but. Your good summer can be theirs, too. It just takes a little extra attention.
