Extreme heat. In hot climates and during heat waves, look for signs of heat stress. Even light activity during extreme temperatures can cause your pet to overheat. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke impact pets more quicky than humans due to their limited body temperature regulation. Hot pavement can even blister or burn paw pads.

What you can do: In addition to keeping your pets in the shade or an air-conditioned area, offering cool water (not ice-cold) can help. Ultimately, if you do suspect heat stroke, you should seek veterinary care.²  

Natural Disasters. When natural disasters like floods and wildfires displace humans, there is inevitably an uptick in abandoned and injured pets. During Hurricane Katrina, over 100,000 pets were left behind.³ The impact was so immense, the PETS Act passed shortly after to ensure disaster relief plans also account for the needs of those with household pets and service animals.⁴

What you can do: Have an emergency action plan in place for your pets that includes making sure they have food, shelter, and medications if you need to evacuate quickly.

Allergies. Pet allergies are on the rise and part of the reason may be due to air pollution. Some studies have shown that pets in urban areas (where air pollution is worse) have higher rates of allergies compared to pets living in rural areas. Pets are also exposed to a wide range of chemicals—from chemicals used to clean floors inside as well as vehicle exhaust outside.⁶

What you can do: Plan walks for times when pollen counts are lower. If your pet suffers from itchy skin, runny eyes, sneezing, or respiratory distress, consult a veterinarian who can provide antihistamines and allergy shots.

Increased Risk of Tick-Borne Disease. Pets are at increased risk of developing a tick-borne disease like Lyme Disease. Along with Lyme, other less commonly known tick-borne diseases such as Babesiosis and Powasson virus are becoming more common. As temperatures soar, tick season lasts longer, and these diseases can begin to spread to new areas.⁷

What you can do: You should check your pets for ticks regularly, especially if they are spending time outside and you live in a high-risk area. Lyme vaccinations are available to dogs which can protect against other tick-borne diseases.

Staying informed about local climate risks can help you prepare for potential pet health issues. Pet insurance can help cover expenses for both unforeseen and planned veterinary care. In addition to coverage for injuries and illness, consider wellness plans that cover preventative care, such as vaccinations against diseases that are spreading to new areas. Preventative measures can mitigate the risk of illness and reduce the likelihood of costly treatments down the line.

¹Nasa data reveals dramatic rise in intensity of weather events. The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/17/nasa-data-reveals-dramatic-rise-in-intensity-of-weather-events, June 27, 2025.
²Extreme Weather Safety. Humane Society for Southwest Washington. southwesthumane.org/resources/extreme-weather-safety, Retrieved January 19, 2026.
³Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue Facts. Louisiana SPCA. www.louisianaspca.org/about-us/hurricane-katrina/animal-rescue-facts, Retrieved January 19, 2026.
⁴The PETS Act: Companion Animals Affected by Natural Disasters. Animal Legal Defense Fund. aldf.org/article/the-pets-act-companion-animals-affected-by-natural-disasters, Retrieved January 19, 2026.
⁵Ahead of Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary & National Preparedness Month, ASPCA Shares Lifesaving Tips for Pets, Reflects on Advancements in Disaster Response. ASPCA. www.aspca.org/about-us/press-releases/ahead-hurricane-katrina-20th-anniversary-national-preparedness-month-aspca, August 26, 2025.
⁶R Marsella. Environmental factors are responsible for the rise of atopic dermatitis in dogs: veterinarians should focus on modifiable influences. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 01 Jan 2026
⁷Tick-Borne Diseases Risk Increasing Due to Climate Change: What You Need to Know. Boston University. www.bu.edu/articles/2025/tick-borne-diseases-risk-increase, May 15, 2025.