Summer in Calgary is short, and pet owners make the most of it — off-leash parks in Nose Hill, hikes in Kananaskis, weekends at Sikome Lake, and long evenings in the backyard. But the same season that gets our dogs and cats outdoors also brings the hazards we treat most often at our clinic between June and September: heatstroke, tick bites, paw pad burns, wildfire smoke irritation, and water-related illness.

At Sanctuary Veterinary Hospital in Sage Hill, NW Calgary, we’d rather help you prevent these problems than treat them as emergencies. Here is what every Calgary pet owner should know this summer.

1. Heatstroke: The Most Dangerous Summer Emergency

Dogs don’t sweat the way humans do — they cool themselves mainly by panting. When the air is hot, panting stops working efficiently, and a dog’s body temperature can climb to dangerous levels within minutes. Flat-faced breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers), overweight pets, seniors, and thick-coated breeds like Huskies are at the highest risk.

Warning signs of heatstroke in dogs and cats

• Heavy, frantic panting that doesn’t settle
• Bright red or pale gums, thick drool
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Stumbling, weakness, or collapse
• Glazed eyes and confusion

If you see these signs, move your pet to shade immediately, wet their body with cool (not ice-cold) water, offer small sips of water, and head to a vet right away. Heatstroke can cause organ damage even after a pet appears to recover, so a veterinary exam is essential. Our team is prepared to handle emergencies during clinic hours — call us at (403) 295-0305 while you’re on the way.

The golden rule: never leave a pet in a parked car, even with the windows cracked. On a 25°C Calgary afternoon, the inside of a car can exceed 40°C in under 20 minutes.

The seven-second pavement test

Asphalt and concrete absorb heat all day. Before a walk, press the back of your hand against the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paw pads. Walk early in the morning, late in the evening, or stick to grass.

2. Ticks Are Now a Real Concern in Alberta

Many Calgary pet owners still believe ticks are an “Eastern Canada problem.” That’s no longer true. Tick populations — including blacklegged ticks that can carry Lyme disease — have been expanding across Alberta, and we see ticks on dogs that have visited Fish Creek Park, Bowmont Park, river valleys, and the foothills.

What we recommend:

• Use a vet-prescribed tick preventive from spring through fall. Over-the-counter products vary widely in effectiveness, and some are unsafe for cats.
• Check your pet after every hike — focus on the ears, neck, armpits, groin, and between the toes.
• Remove ticks promptly and correctly with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping close to the skin and pulling straight out. If you’re unsure, bring your pet in and we’ll remove it safely.

If you’re not sure which parasite prevention is right for your dog or cat, book a wellness check-up and we’ll build a plan around your pet’s lifestyle — a condo cat in Evanston needs different protection than a dog who hikes Kananaskis every weekend.

3. Wildfire Smoke: Pets Breathe It Too

Smoky skies have become a regular feature of Alberta summers. When Calgary’s Air Quality Health Index climbs, your pets feel it just like you do — especially cats and dogs with asthma, heart disease, or flat faces.

On poor air quality days:

• Keep walks short and skip fetch, flirt poles, and dog park visits
• Keep windows closed and let pets rest indoors
• Watch for coughing, wheezing, eye discharge, unusual fatigue, or open-mouth breathing in cats (always an emergency sign)

Birds are especially sensitive to smoke and airborne irritants. As a clinic that also cares for exotic pets, we urge bird owners to keep their pets in well-filtered indoor air whenever smoke rolls in.

4. Lakes, Rivers and Blue-Green Algae

A swim at the lake is a highlight of any Calgary dog’s summer — but every year, Alberta Health Services posts blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) advisories for lakes around the province. These blooms can be fatal to dogs who swim in or drink contaminated water, sometimes within hours.

Before you let your dog in the water:

• Check for posted AHS advisories at the lake
• Avoid water that looks like pea soup, has a paint-like scum, or smells foul
• Rinse your dog with fresh water after every swim
• Bring drinking water from home so your dog isn’t tempted to drink from the lake

If your dog swims in suspect water and develops vomiting, drooling, weakness, or seizures, treat it as an emergency and call us immediately.

5. Backyard and BBQ Hazards

Some of the most common summer visits to our clinic start in the backyard:

• Corn cobs and peach pits — classic causes of intestinal blockage that often require surgery
• Fatty BBQ scraps — a leading trigger of painful pancreatitis in dogs
• Skewers and bones — can splinter or pierce the digestive tract
• Slug bait, fertilizers and cocoa mulch — toxic to dogs and cats
• Foxtails and grass awns — barbed seed heads that burrow into paws, ears and noses; check your dog after walks through tall, dry grass

Keep a list of toxic garden plants handy too — our poisonous plants guide covers the most common culprits in Alberta gardens.

6. Don’t Skip the Summer Wellness Basics

Summer is peak season for pet activity — and peak season for exposure to other animals at parks, kennels and campsites. Before the busy months, make sure:

• Your pet’s vaccinations are current, especially if they’ll be boarding or visiting off-leash parks
• Parasite prevention covers ticks, fleas and heartworm where appropriate
• Your pet’s microchip and ID tags are up to date — summer holidays like Canada Day fireworks are the busiest time of year for lost pets
• Senior pets and pets with health conditions have had a recent check-up before increasing their activity

Frequently Asked Questions

How hot is too hot to walk my dog in Calgary?

There’s no single safe number — humidity, breed, age, and coat all matter. As a general guide, take extra care above 24°C, and above 28°C limit dogs to short shaded walks in the early morning or evening. Flat-faced and overweight dogs need caution at even lower temperatures. Always do the seven-second pavement test.

Do indoor cats need parasite prevention in summer?

Often, yes. Fleas and other parasites can hitch a ride indoors on clothing, other pets, or through screened windows and balconies. Ask us about low-risk options suited to your cat’s lifestyle at your next visit.

What should I do if I find a tick on my dog?

Remove it with fine-tipped tweezers, gripping as close to the skin as possible and pulling straight out without twisting. Save the tick in a sealed container, note the date, and monitor the bite site. If the tick has been attached for more than 24 hours, or if your dog develops lethargy, fever or lameness in the following weeks, book an appointment.

Does Sanctuary Veterinary Hospital handle summer emergencies?

We are prepared to handle emergencies during clinic hours — Monday to Friday 9 AM–8 PM, and weekends from 10 AM. Call us at (403) 295-0305 before you arrive so our team can prepare. For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting a 24-hour emergency animal hospital in Calgary.

Keep Your Pet Safe This Summer — We’re Here to Help

From Sage Hill and Nolan Hill to Evanston, Panorama Hills, Kincora and Sherwood, Calgary families trust Sanctuary Veterinary Hospital for compassionate, modern care for dogs, cats and exotic pets. Whether it’s a pre-summer wellness exam, tick prevention, or an urgent concern, our experienced team is ready.

Book your pet’s summer check-up today through our online appointment portal or call (403) 295-0305.