Tri-County Humane Society Shares Heat Safety Tips as Dangerous Heat Grips Central Minnesota

(KNSI) – The heat baking central Minnesota this week is not just rough on people, it’s rough on pets too.

The Tri-County Humane Society is urging owners to take a few simple steps to keep dogs and cats out of danger until conditions ease.

Tri-County Humane Society Marketing and Communications Manager Kate Kompas told KNSI News the priorities are straightforward, keep animals indoors and in the air conditioning, and make sure fresh water is always within reach. When dogs do need to go out, she recommends keeping walks short or moving them to the early morning before the afternoon heat builds.

Kompas pointed to one hazard owners tend to overlook on hot days. “If you’re walking them on asphalt, things like that, put your hand to the ground for a good five, 10 seconds. Their paw pads can get burnt.”

She says if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for their paws. Protective booties or paw gel can help on days when hot surfaces are unavoidable.

When walks are off the table, Kompas suggests turning to enrichment instead. Frozen treats like stuffed Kongs, frozen bananas, or dog-safe peanut butter snacks give pets something to focus on while cooling them down, and a kiddie pool in the yard gives water-loving dogs a way to splash off the heat.

Kompas also repeated a warning owners hear every summer, that a parked vehicle can heat up fast even on a quick errand, so pets should never be left in a car. She added that there is no single safe temperature that signals the all-clear, and that owners should watch their individual dog rather than a number on a thermometer.

Some dogs feel the heat faster than others. Kompas said flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs can have more trouble breathing in hot, humid weather because of their build. Owners of cold-weather breeds like huskies and German shepherds should stay alert too, since those dogs are built for winter, not July.

Farm dogs and other animals that spend their days outside need more than the usual setup right now. Kompas said adequate shelter means constant access to water, real shade, and frequent check-ins. Even a well-built doghouse under a shade tree, she noted, can still leave a dog dangerously hot. Kompas was blunt about the animals that normally live outside.

“I would bring them inside. Some people say, nope, that’s my outside dog, but I mean, in extreme weather, I would always err on bringing them inside, if you can.”

Cats tend to handle warmth better and spend less time outdoors, but the same basics apply, keep them cool, hydrated, and out of the worst of the heat.

Owners who want more detailed guidance can find heat-safety tips through the by clicking here, and Kompas encourages anyone with concerns about their pet to check in with their veterinarian.

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