Increasing numbers of dogs and their owners are impacted by extreme heat and adverse weather events. We conducted a national survey of 421 US dog owners to better understand how dog owners perceive and respond to these challenges.

 Our findings revealed several gaps in owners’ knowledge and preparedness around heat-related illness (HRI) and disaster planning; highlighting ways in which veterinary professionals can help.

What owners do (and don’t) know about heat risks

We know from prior research that HRI is one of the leading causes of preventable death in dogs, particularly among brachycephalic, obese, and older animals.

 In our study, nearly all participants lived in regions where summer temperatures exceeded 80°F. Despite this, many owners reported minimal changes to their dogs’ routines during the summer months. For example, a third of owners reported no change in the length of their dog walks during the summer. Furthermore, owners of brachycephalic dogs, who face triple the odds of fatal outcomes from HRI,

 were no more likely to alter their outdoor activities with their dog when compared to other owners.

When asked about warning signs of HRI, most participants could identify obvious indicators such as stiffness (86%) or ataxia (83%). However, fewer recognized more subtle early markers of severe HRI like depression or slow responsiveness (64%). Furthermore, while most owners knew they should move an overheated dog to a cool area, fewer understood that active cooling (e.g., cold-water immersion, sprays, or fans) is more effective than passive methods like cold towels.

What this means for veterinary teams: during wellness visits, veterinary teams have an opportunity to share with clients how to spot subtle signs of HRI, stress the vulnerabilities of high-risk breeds, and explain the benefits of active cooling techniques.

Another finding in our study was how heat changes the way owners interact with their dogs. Over 80% of participants reported spending less time than they would like training or playing outside during hot weather, nearly two-thirds worried about their dogs becoming bored or stressed when kept indoors, and 40% feared that indoor confinement could lead to behavior problems.

 This is a reminder that extreme heat isn’t just a physical health issue; it also affects mental well-being for both dogs and owners.

Veterinary professionals can support clients by recommending indoor alternatives, shaded outdoor play areas, or early morning and evening walks. Normalizing these seasonal adjustments can help reduce owners’ guilt and worry about these necessary changes.

Disasters and preparedness: A wake-up call

Beyond heat, most dog owners in our study expressed concern about storms, floods, wildfires, or earthquakes affecting their pets. Furthermore, we found that the majority (83%) of participants said they would not evacuate during a disaster if they could not take their dog. Younger and middle-income owners were especially likely to say they would stay behind.

 Despite this, about a fourth of participants indicated they did not have a transportation plan for their dogs or knew how to access pet-friendly shelters. Only 59% had a full emergency plan and just 46% had a disaster kit prepared. This lack of preparation carries serious implications and endangers the lives of both humans and animals.

Veterinary teams can help by initiating conversations about disaster preparedness and normalizing this as an important aspect of responsible ownership. Hospitals can create disaster kit handouts or checklists, and/or post on their website, to give clients concrete tools to utilize.

Our results suggest owners want pet safety guidance from their veterinary team, yet only 28% had talked about an evacuation plan with their veterinarian. This suggests a missed opportunity for veterinary teams to help ensure pet safety.

Specifically, owners told us they want more information from their veterinary team on the following:

 (e.g., signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, immediate first aid and emergency steps, when to seek veterinary care)

 (e.g., best methods to cool down an overheated dog,proper hydration techniques, safe water consumption)

 (e.g., maximum safe time outdoors in hot temperatures, appropriate exercise intensity, surface temperature considerations)

 (e.g., evacuation plans for extreme weather, emergency kits for pets, identifying safe locations)

 (e.g., breed-specific heat tolerance, special precautions for puppies, elderly, or overweight dogs, individual dog's health conditions and heat interaction)

 (e.g., preventative measures against heat-related issues, protective gear, grooming considerations).

Practical steps for veterinary professionals

Based on our findings, we suggest the following ways for veterinary teams to help ensure dog safety:

Incorporate heat safety reminders into summer wellness visits and newsletters.

Give tailored advice for brachycephalic, obese, or senior patients.

Stress the benefits of active versus passive cooling methods.

Offer disaster planning checklists and contact information for pet-friendly shelters.

Partner with shelters or emergency services to host community workshops.

In summary, our research found that while dog owners are concerned about heat and extreme weather, many lack the knowledge and tools they need to protect their pets. Veterinary teams are in a unique position to close this gap. By proactively engaging clients on these topics, we can reduce preventable illness and death. These short conversations in the exam room can make all the difference.

, is a professor of clinical sciences for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She is the chair of the Human-Animal Interaction section of the American Psychological Association and editor-in-chief of the Human-Animal Interaction journal, an open-access, online publication published by the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI). She has published numerous journal articles and books, including Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond and Clinician's Guide to Treating Companion Animal Issues: Addressing Human-Animal Interaction. Kogan presents regularly on topics related to human-animal interactions in both psychology and veterinary medicine venues. She is currently engaged in several research projects pertaining to the intersection of the human-animal bond and veterinary medicine.

, is a staff veterinarian with the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC, and the Pet Pantry of Lancaster County in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She is a resident with the American College of Animal Welfare. Her interests include community medicine, access to care, geriatric medicine and end-of-life care, and companion animal welfare.

Etue A, Kogan L, Brown E. Dog owners’ perceptions and behaviors regarding extreme heat and weather events. Accessed August 22, 2025. 

 2025;13. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/epdf/10.1079/hai.2025.0035. 

Hall E, Carter AJ, O’Neill DG. Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. 

Hall E, Carter A, O’Neill D. Dogs Don’t Die Just in Hot Cars—Exertional Heat-Related Illness (Heatstroke) Is a Greater Threat to UK Dogs. 

Quintana J, Viola L, Sanchez V, et al. Preparing pets and their people: opportunity for veterinary teams to promote disaster preparedness in their communities. Accessed March 28, 2025. 

 2025;12. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1442482/full. 

Articles

Dog owners face challenges with heat and disasters, lacking knowledge on heat-related illness and emergency preparedness, making veterinary guidance essential.

Helping dogs beat the heat and survive extreme weather events

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, discusses why dog's chase their tails, in a dvm360 interview.

Debunking a canine myth

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, senior director of behavior, research, and education at Gigi’s, a shelter organization in Ohio, presented a continuing education session on the top 10 behavior myths at the 2025 Fetch dvm360 conference in Kansas City, Missouri. In an interview with 

 at the conference, Herron debunked a common myth about why dogs chase their tails.

The following is a transcript of the video:

 One of the myths that drives me crazy is that dogs spin, chase their tail, or lick their paws because they're bored. Anytime a dog is paying extra attention to a body part, I need to know why. As a veterinarian, we need to put that medical cap on and say, ‘You're paying attention to your body, either because it itches, it hurts, or it feels funny, and I need to rule out all of those reasons for that focus before I'm ever blaming some sort of boredom or behavior problem.'

I've had dogs with hip dysplasia, cauda equina syndrome, anal gland disease, or impaction, and that's why they're chasing their tail. That's why they're running in circles, because it's uncomfortable for them. I've had it in irritable bowel disease. They're putting focus on their belly. They're putting focus on that hind end. It has actually nothing to do with boredom, and it may not even be a compulsive disorder. A lot of people want to say, ‘Oh, spinning [obsessive-compulsive disorder]—put them on the Prozac [fluoxetine].’ Well, [that] may be beneficial to some dogs who do have compulsive disorders, [but] we really have to do our job in ruling out the medical reason for it first.

Caring for the emotional well-being of animals

Videos

In a dvm360 interview, Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, FFCV, discusses the real reason why dogs chase their tails.

A recent systematic review by Kansas State University in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) vector and host competence found that at least 9 additional mosquito species may be potential vectors for JEV.

 The pathogen, which is transmitted via infected mosquitoes, affects people and many animals, including wild birds, horses, and swine.

“This review provides updated data not only on newly reported species showing competence for JEV but also on the level of competence observed in previously identified species,” the authors wrote in the study.

 “These findings offer valuable insights that go beyond what individual studies can provide, helping to synthesize the evidence base in a way that is accessible and actionable for policymakers, public health authorities, and disease modelers. Ultimately, the goal is to support evidence-based decision-making with the most current and comprehensive data available.”

According to the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), although the JEV primarily circulates between mosquitoes and waterbirds, it poses a significant threat to human and animal health.

 In swine, all ages are susceptible to the disease.

 Infected pigs can also pass the virus to mosquitoes.

 According to Iowa State University, JEV outbreaks in humans are often linked to areas where infected pigs and mosquitoes coexist.

 Other animals that may serve as reservoirs include snakes, lizards, many wild birds, and chickens.

In swine, JEV can cause reproductive issues, including stillbirths and abortions. Although the virus has not been detected in the US, its global spread (including a recent expansion into mainland Australia

), along with suitable vectors and hosts in the US, increases the risk of entry.

The recent systematic review, which received funding from the SHIC, built on a 2018 analysis and included only experimental studies from 2016 to 2023. The review found that nearly half (45.4%) of 51 mosquito species tested experimentally became infected after being exposed to JEV. “This highlights the significant potential for virus amplification in mosquito populations around livestock, including pig farms,” the SHIC wrote in a report.

Additionally, the transmission rate for the disease across 30 experimentally tested mosquito species was 22.7%, meaning approximately 1 in 4 infected mosquito species could pass the virus to animals and humans. Among all mosquito species that were experimentally tested, the 

species showed the highest rates of infection and transmission at 51.9% and 27.8%, respectively. According to the SHIC, this mosquito species is commonly found in human and livestock environments, representing “high-priority targets for surveillance and control.”

Moreover, the study identified 9 to 12 additional mosquito species beyond the initial potential mosquito vectors found in the previous review, which were shown to be competent vectors for JEV.

The authors of the study noted that understanding mosquito abundance, host preference, longevity, geographical ranges, and co-occurrences with human settings or animal reservoirs are also important for determining JEV transmission and risk. “Moreover, data on JEV dissemination and transmission rates in vectors are crucial for assessing the risk of JEV introduction and transmission within new geographical areas previously free of the virus,” they added.

Edache S, Dixon AL, Oliveira ARS, et al. Mosquito vector competence for Japanese encephalitis virus: a systematic review and meta-analysis update. 

. 2025;18(1):191. doi:10.1186/s13071-025-06843-7

SHIC-funded research reveals JEV threat remains high with mosquito control essential. Swine Health Information Center. News release. July 25, 2025. Accessed August 26, 2025. https://www.swinehealth.org/shic-funded-research-reveals-jev-threat-remains-high-with-mosquito-control-essential/

Japanese B encephalitis. Iowa State University. Accessed August 26, 2025. https://webhost-dev.cvm.iastate.edu/swine-disease-manual/index-of-diseases/japanese-b-encephalitis/#:~:text=Mosquitoes%20become%20infected%20by%20feeding,many%20wild%20birds%20and%20chickens.

New research uncovers additional mosquito species as potential vectors for Japanese encephalitis virus, highlighting risks to swine and public health.

Study suggests more mosquito vectors capable of spreading Japanese encephalitis virus

Viva Raw, LLC, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced that it has issued a voluntary recall for 2 lots of dog and cat food because of contamination with 

 The recalled lots include the following:

Lot 21495 (Viva Ground Beef for Dogs; Viva Beef & Turkey for Puppies)

Lot 21975 (Viva Ground Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chunked Chicken for Dogs; Viva Chicken for Cats; Viva Pure Chicken).

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture identified the contamination during routine testing, and only the lots listed above were affected. As of August 25, 2025, no illness was reported in dogs, cats, or humans related to the recall.

According to the recall, the impacted lots were distributed directly to consumers across the US and some small, selected retailers in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, New York, and South Carolina between July 2, 2025, and August 21, 2025. Both products were frozen, 1-lb bricks in clear vacuum packaging, and the lot number is printed on top of the packaging.

 can present as lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets could also only present with decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. It is possible for pets to be otherwise healthy when they are infected but can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Anyone whose pet ingested one of the affected lots should contact their veterinarian.

B. Braun Medical Inc issues voluntary recall of 1-L Lactated Ringer and saline

they should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: abdominal cramping, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea. In rare instances, 

 can result in more serious ailments such as arterial infections, arthritis, endocarditis, eye irritation, muscle pain, and urinary tract symptoms. Anyone presenting with these signs after having contact with the contaminated lots should contact their health care providers. The FDA also noted that pregnant individuals are especially susceptible to 

 infections, and it can cause a miscarriage. People who have weak immune systems, as well as the younger and older populations, are also more vulnerable to infections.

Anyone who is in possession of a contaminated lot should contact Vivia Raw at info@vivarawpets.com for a refund on any remaining product and dispose of the product in a way that is inaccessible for children, pets, and wildlife. Those in possession of the product should not donate, sell, or feed it to pets or other animals. Additionally, all pet food bowls, cups, and storage containers should be washed and sanitized.

Viva Raw issues voluntary recall of two lots of dog and cat foods due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. News release. FDA. August 25, 2025. Accessed August 26, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/viva-raw-issues-voluntary-recall-two-lots-dog-cat-foods-due-salmonella-and-listeria-monocytogenes

Two lots of its dog and cat food are being recalled due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Viva Raw issues voluntary recall 

Edward J. Robb DVM, MS, DACVN, received the Iron Paw Award, and On A Mission KC was presented with the Spirit of Service award, during the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit in Kansas City, Missouri opening session.

The Iron Paw is one of the industry’s highest awards, according to Matt Musselman, chief operating officer, farm services for Dairy Farmers of America and chair of the KC Animal Health Corridor Advisory Board. “The Iron Paw is given annually to someone from research, academia, industry or government, regardless of their title or years of service, who's made a significant impact contribution to the global animal health industry,” Musselman told the audience while presenting the award.

The Spirit of Service Award recognizes nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the health and welfare of animals. These organizations are frequently operating with limited resources to carry out their work.

Photo courtesy of KC Animal Health Corridor

2025 Iron Paw Award recipient Edward J. Robb DVM, MS, DACVN

A graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Robb completed a Master of Science degree in epidemiology and a residency in veterinary nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet). He was a clinical practitioner and lecturer at Penn Vet before transitioning to product development. Over the years, he has held various technical and business positions, leading to his role as vice president of research and development (R&D) at Boehringer-Ingelheim Vetmedica, where he grew the US R&D program from 90 to 240 full-time employees with research investment growing from less than $30 million a year to more than $70 million annually.

After taking on roles at Ceva Animal Health and Parnell Veterinary Pharmaceuticals, Robb founded BioPharmaPotentials (BPP) and currently serves as its CEO. BPP offers consulting for health product development and has a client list with many innovative projects across various therapeutic sectors, according to KC Animal Health Corridor.

In his acceptance speech, Robb said he was humbled by the recognition and reflected on his career in research and development. “Some of my opinions haven’t always been appreciated. Our industry vacillates between conformity…and focus on innovation. So at times, new ideas, new therapeutic options, new classes, new prevention treatments are not always popular. Over time, I've mellowed on some of these ideas. Setbacks and failures have taught me more,” Robb said. “So keep innovating. Let's keep opening up new therapeutic areas. Let's keep on building alliances to support One Health solutions. Let's continue to thrive and support interdisciplinary teams and, most importantly, we need to work together to keep attracting talented, creative, results oriented women and men to animal health.

Photo: Kristen Coppock Crossley, MA/dvm360

On A Mission KC founder Scott Poore (center) accepts the Spirit of Service Award from Kimberly Young (left), president of the KC Animal Health Corridor (AHC) and Matt Musselman, chief operating officer, farm services for Dairy Farmers of America and chair of the KC AHC Advisory Board, during the 2025 KC AHC Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. 

On A Mission KC is dedicated to helping long-term shelter dogs find love and stability by generating awareness of these pets and providing resources to assist their care. The organization’s work includes helping these canines find homes and providing support to families in crisis to help them keep their animals.On A Mission KC has helped more than 1500 long-term shelter dogs and has raised more than $1.5 million for shelters, rescues and outreach programs since 2016.

“They’re trying to do a lot with a little,” Scott Poore, founder of On A Mission KC, said in a video, during the award presentation. “What I do is I look for things that I know that they're going to need, while they tell me what they think they need, and usually it's something really simple and humble when I'm thinking much bigger picture.”

An example of On A Mission KC’s work was shown in the video. At Windsor Animal Shelter in Missouri, On A Mission KC provided fenced play yards so that the animals housed there could get outdoors more often and have places to be active. While working at the shelter, Poore noticed needs for heat and air conditioning in the kennel areas and a refresh for the facility’s aesthetic. On A Mission KC then provided the shelter’s first HVAC system and volunteers painted the building, which Poore said would help make the facility more visually appealing. “We want the volunteers, the staff members and potential adopters to be excited and walk into a building that looks happy,” he said.

At the summit, Musselman and Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor, presented On A Mission KC with a symbolic check. Poore said the funding will help further the organization’s mission.

“I am so grateful for the spirit of service award, this donation is life changing for my organization. It's the largest donation we've ever received. We have so many projects now that we have put on hold that we can actually move forward with thanks to this generosity.” Poore said.

2025 Spirit of Service recipient. KC Animal Health Corridor. Accessed August 25, 2025. 

https://kcanimalhealth.thinkkc.com/events/Spirit-of-Service

2025 Iron Paw Award recipient. KC Animal Health Corridor. Accessed August 25, 2025. 

https://kcanimalhealth.thinkkc.com/events/kcahc-iron-paw-award

A veterinarian and a nonprofit organization were both recognized on stage at the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit.

The 2025 Iron Paw and Spirit of Service awards are presented

A new campaign aimed at expanding access to opportunity in veterinary medicine was launched at the 2025 Animal Health Summit in Kansas City, Missouri. The Animal Health Corridor (AHC) Workforce offers recruitment materials, digital tools for career seekers, and information on the various ways that individuals from many different job sectors can find their place in the animal health industry.

The campaign helps address the needs of the animal health industry workforce. “We are no longer just talking about the talent shortage. We are doing something about it…. [The campaign] is bold, it's needed, and it's long overdue,” Kimberly Young, president of the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor, said during the announcement for the campaign.

Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor; and Matt Musselman, chief operating officer, farm services for Dairy Farmers of America, open the 2025 KC Animal Health Corridor Summit with the announcement of the Animal Health Corridor Workforce campaign.

Matt Musselman, chief operating officer of farm services for Dairy Farmers of America, who made the announcement with Young, noted that the AHC spent the last year listening to students, companies, and educators, ascertaining their needs. “What we heard was loud and clear: The next generation of young people don't have the full picture of what a career in animal health could look like…so we ask ourselves: What if we redefine our narrative? What if we stood together as a collective animal health industry and said animal health is more? That’s what inspired the launch of our new Animal Health Corridor Workforce campaign,” Musselman said.

According to a video presented during the announcement of the campaign, animal health takes all kinds of professions, encouraging the summit audience to help spread the word. “Tell the story. Lead the way. Let everyone know this industry has so much to offer everyone…. The corridor is growing. We need all kinds of people. We need to attract. We need to compete—for today [and] for tomorrow,” the video said.

, provides access to downloadable materials, opportunity insights, and other resources. It also explains how many different professions provide unique strengths to the animal care industry. These professions include transportation, shipping, data science, pharmaceuticals, machinery, academics, hospitality, sales, analysis, research, communication, and more.

 Under communication, a skilled writer, for example, can create content for trade publications such as industry news, feature articles, and creative stories that engage and inform animal health stakeholders.

The AHC Workforce campaign is fittingly launched as the AHC celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over time, the organization has significantly grown in reach and impact on the industry, Musselman explained.

“Since the inception of the corridor, 85 new companies have relocated to the Kansas City region, and many existing companies have chosen to invest and expand in this region. We have added an impressive 4500 new jobs, $405 million in new payroll, and [more than] $4 billion in new capital investments over the past 40 years,” he said.

According to Young, 2025 is an appropriate time to address the needs of the current and future generations. "Today is not just a gathering," she said of the summit. "It's a call to action.

“Twenty years ago, this summit started as an idea, a place to connect talent, innovation, and opportunity, and [to] just look around. That idea became a movement, one that is now leading the global conversation on what's next for our industry,” Young said. “As we have talked about for years, there's a growing talent gap threatening our industry, yet there's a generation out there full of passion, skill, and purpose, many of whom don't know yet that our industry needs them."

That notion was echoed later on stage, during the “Insights From Emerging Leaders” panel discussion by Mary Young, an operations support engineer with Merck Animal Health. “[Upon] graduating from college, I had no idea that, as an engineering graduate, there was anywhere for me to go in animal health. Turns out, there absolutely is,” she said. 

Young K, Musselman M. Opening remarks and impact awards ceremony. Presented at: 2025 Animal Health Summit; August 25-26, 2025; Kansas City, MO.

KC Animal Health Corridor. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://exploreahcareers.com

Writer. KC Animal Health Corridor. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://exploreahcareers.com/writer/

The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor announced the initiative and a call to action at the organization’s 2025 summit in Kansas City, Missouri. 