Memphis summers are serious. If you have lived here for any length of time you already know what July and August feel like: triple-digit heat indices, humidity that makes the air feel like a wet blanket, and pavement that gets hot enough to fry an egg by mid-morning. It is uncomfortable for people. For dogs, it can be genuinely dangerous.
Foster dogs face some specific risks that even experienced dog owners can underestimate. Many come out of the shelter already stressed and physically depleted. Some have never lived in a home before and do not know to seek shade or slow down in the heat. Some are seniors or puppies whose bodies regulate temperature less efficiently. And some breeds are at much higher risk than others.
This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your foster dog safe from June through September in Memphis.
Understand How Dogs Handle Heat (And How They Do Not)
Dogs do not sweat the way humans do. Their primary cooling mechanism is panting, which exchanges hot air from their lungs with cooler outside air. When the outside air is not cooler which is the case on a Memphis afternoon in August panting becomes far less effective. A dog can overheat quickly in conditions that feel merely unpleasant to a person standing right next to them.
Dogs also absorb heat through their paws directly from hot pavement. Asphalt and concrete can reach 150 degrees or higher on a sunny day when the air temperature is in the mid-90s. A dog walking on that surface is not just uncomfortable. They can sustain burns to their paw pads within minutes, and they are absorbing that heat into their body at the same time.
A simple test: press the back of your hand against the pavement for seven seconds. If you cannot hold it there comfortably, it is too hot for your foster dog to walk on.
Which Dogs Are at Highest Risk
All dogs can overheat, but some are significantly more vulnerable than others. Knowing whether your foster dog falls into a higher-risk category helps you make better decisions about timing and activity level.
Brachycephalic breeds — bulldogs, pugs, boxers, and Boston terriers — are among the most vulnerable because their shortened airways make panting less efficient. They overheat faster and with far less exertion than other breeds, and they need extra caution even on mild summer days.
Senior dogs and puppies under six months also fall into higher-risk territory. Seniors regulate temperature less efficiently and may not show distress signals as clearly. Young puppies have immature systems and tire quickly in the heat. Overweight dogs generate and retain more heat due to the extra body mass, and dogs with dark or thick coats absorb more radiant heat from sunlight. Any dog with a known heart or respiratory condition is at elevated risk as well.
If your foster dog falls into any of these categories, be more conservative with outdoor time and watch them more closely during warm weather activities.
Walk Timing Is Everything
In a Memphis summer, when you walk your foster dog matters as much as how far you walk them. Mid-morning through late afternoon is when pavement temperatures peak and heat index values are highest. The goal is to shift outdoor activity to the bookends of the day.
Early morning walks before 9am are almost always safe and comfortable. Evening walks after 7pm are generally fine once the pavement has had time to cool. A quick pavement check with your hand before heading out takes five seconds and removes the guesswork.
Shorter, more frequent outings are better than one long walk in the heat of the day. A ten-minute sniff walk at 7am and another at 7pm covers more ground for your foster dog’s mental and physical health than a forty-five-minute slog through midday heat that leaves them exhausted and at risk.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke
Heat exhaustion can escalate to heatstroke quickly in dogs, and heatstroke is a medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs means you can act before things become life-threatening.
Heat Exhaustion: Act Quickly
These signs mean your dog needs to cool down immediately and get out of the heat. Move them to air conditioning, offer cool (not ice cold) water, and apply cool wet towels to their paws, groin, and armpits.
- Heavy, rapid panting that does not slow down when they rest
- Excessive drooling or thick, ropey saliva
- Bright red gums or tongue
- Glazed eyes or a dazed, unfocused expression
- Stumbling, weakness, or reluctance to move
Heatstroke: This Is an Emergency
If you see any of these signs, begin cooling the dog immediately and get to a veterinary emergency clinic without delay. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own.
- Vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
- Pale, white, or gray gums
- Collapse or inability to stand
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit
The nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic to central Memphis is BluePearl Pet Hospital at 1650 Nonconnah Blvd in Memphis, open around the clock. Keep the number saved: (901) 748-9650. Time matters with heatstroke and knowing where you are going before an emergency is always better than searching in a panic.
Keeping the Backyard Safe
A fenced backyard feels like a safe place to let a foster dog out during the day, and in most ways it is. But in a Memphis summer, unsupervised time in a yard with no shade and no water is not safe, even for short periods.
Before letting your foster dog spend time in the yard during warm months, make sure there is genuine shade available throughout the day as the sun moves. A shaded spot at 8am may be in full sun by 11am. Trees are better than awnings because they provide shade at ground level as well as overhead. Always have fresh water available and check it often, because water heats up quickly in direct sun and a warm bowl is not going to help a hot dog cool down.
Check the yard for any surfaces that heat up significantly, particularly metal, concrete, and dark rubber. Dog kennel flooring, garden hoses left in the sun, and metal water bowls can all reach temperatures that cause burns or discomfort. A kiddie pool in a shaded area can be a great addition for foster dogs who enjoy water and helps them self-regulate temperature on warm days.
Cars Are Deadly. Full Stop.
On a 90-degree Memphis day, the interior of a parked car reaches 130 degrees within 20 minutes. Cracking the windows does almost nothing to slow this. There is no safe amount of time to leave a dog in a parked car in summer in Memphis, not while you run into a store, not while you grab coffee, not even for five minutes.
If you are running errands and cannot bring your foster dog inside with you, leave them at home. It is that simple. This is one of the leading causes of preventable dog deaths in summer and it happens to careful, well-meaning people every year.
Indoor Enrichment for Hot Days
When it is too hot for a real walk, your foster dog still needs mental stimulation to stay calm and content. The good news is that mental activity tires dogs out more efficiently than physical exercise in many cases.
Indoor Enrichment Ideas for Hot Memphis Days
- Frozen Kongs stuffed with peanut butter, plain yogurt, or wet food make several and keep them in the freezer
- Snuffle mats or scatter feeding (hiding kibble in a towel or across the floor for them to sniff out)
- Short indoor training sessions working on basic commands like sit, stay, and down
- Puzzle feeders and slow feeder bowls that make mealtime mentally engaging
- Lick mats with frozen broth or wet food for a calm, cooling activity
- A paddling pool on a shaded porch in the early morning or after sunset
Hydration: More Important Than You Think
Dogs need significantly more water in hot weather than they do in cooler months. A general guideline is about one ounce of water per pound of body weight per day, but that number goes up in the heat and with activity. Make sure your foster dog has access to fresh, cool water at all times, both indoors and out.
Adding ice cubes to the water bowl is an easy way to keep it cooler longer. Some dogs enjoy chewing on ice cubes directly, which is fine and provides a little extra hydration and enrichment at the same time. You can also offer dog-safe frozen treats: plain low-sodium chicken broth frozen in an ice cube tray is a simple and very popular option.
Watch for signs of dehydration: dry or sticky gums, loss of skin elasticity (the skin does not spring back quickly when gently pinched), sunken eyes, or lethargy. A dehydrated dog needs water and, if symptoms are significant, a vet visit.
Summer Is Survivable. Preparation Makes It Easy.
None of this is meant to make summer feel daunting. Memphis fosters successfully care for dogs through these months every year, and most of it comes down to a few simple habits: walk early or late, check the pavement, keep water available, and never leave a dog in a hot car.
Your foster dog is counting on you to make the calls they cannot make for themselves. In a Memphis summer, that means being the one who says “not today” when it is 97 degrees at noon, and “let’s go” when the morning air is cool and the day is just getting started.
Memphis Dogs Need Foster Homes Year Round
Summer is one of the busiest seasons for shelter intake in Memphis. Dogs need safe, cool foster homes right now. Apply through Memphis Animal Services today.
