Utah’s climate and landscape make it a great place to enjoy life with your pets, but they also bring some unique safety concerns. From hot summer pavement and freezing winter temperatures to wildlife, toxic plants, and outdoor hazards, a little preparation can help keep your dog or cat safe throughout the year.
Summer Heat Safety
Utah summers can be especially hard on pets because of high temperatures, intense sun, and hot pavement. Dogs and cats can overheat more quickly than people realize, and paws can be injured by sidewalks, asphalt, and other hot surfaces.
- Walk dogs during the cooler morning or evening hours.
- Check pavement with the back of your hand before walking your dog on it.
- Provide plenty of fresh water and access to shade.
- Never leave a pet in a parked vehicle, even for a short time.
- Limit strenuous exercise during extreme heat.
- Watch for excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, or collapse.
- Be especially careful with puppies, senior pets, overweight pets, and flat-faced breeds.
Hot Cars Are Dangerous
Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly, even when the weather outside does not seem extremely hot. Leaving windows cracked does not make a parked vehicle safe for a pet. When running errands, the safest choice is usually to leave your pet at home.
Winter Weather and Cold Temperatures
Utah winters can bring freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and road salt. Pets that spend time outdoors may need extra protection, particularly during storms and periods of extreme cold.
- Keep pets indoors during very cold weather whenever possible.
- Limit outdoor time when temperatures drop significantly.
- Check paws for ice, snow, salt, and other deicing chemicals after walks.
- Consider paw protection or pet-safe balm for dogs that spend significant time outdoors.
- Make sure outdoor water does not freeze.
- Keep pets away from antifreeze, which is highly toxic.
- Use extra caution around frozen ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.
- Remember that young, senior, small, short-haired, and medically vulnerable pets may become cold more quickly.
After Winter Walks
Wipe your pet’s paws and lower legs after walks on treated sidewalks and roads. This helps remove salt and deicing products that can irritate paws or be swallowed when your pet licks its feet.
Wildlife and Outdoor Hazards
Utah’s open spaces, foothills, canyons, and growing neighborhoods mean pets may encounter wildlife even close to home. Keeping dogs under control and supervising pets outdoors can prevent many dangerous encounters.
- Keep dogs leashed on trails unless you are in an area where off-leash use is permitted and safe.
- Supervise small dogs and cats outdoors, especially around dawn and dusk.
- Do not allow pets to chase or approach wildlife.
- Keep pet food and garbage secured so they do not attract animals to your yard.
- Stay alert for snakes when hiking in warm weather, particularly around rocks, brush, and sunny trail edges.
- Give moose, deer, elk, and other large animals plenty of space.
- Check pets for ticks after hiking or spending time in brush and tall vegetation.
Coyotes and Small Pets
Coyotes live throughout Utah and may be found in suburban neighborhoods as well as rural areas. Small dogs and cats should be supervised outdoors, particularly during low-light hours. Keep dogs close to you on walks and avoid leaving pet food outside overnight.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are part of Utah’s natural environment and are most active during the warmer months. When hiking, keep dogs close, avoid allowing them to investigate holes or dense brush, and give any snake you encounter plenty of room. If you believe your pet has been bitten by a rattlesnake, seek veterinary care immediately.
Toxic Plants, Foods, and Household Hazards
Many everyday foods, plants, medications, and household products can be dangerous to pets. Keeping potentially harmful items out of reach is especially important with puppies, kittens, and curious pets that chew or investigate unfamiliar things.
- Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and products containing xylitol away from pets.
- Store human medications and supplements securely.
- Keep antifreeze, pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals inaccessible.
- Check whether houseplants and landscaping plants are pet-safe before bringing them home.
- Keep pets away from mushrooms and unfamiliar plants growing outdoors.
- Be cautious with rodent bait and other pest-control products.
- Keep marijuana and other cannabis products away from pets.
Utah Yard and Garden Safety
Utah yards may contain fertilizers, weed-control products, pesticides, mushrooms, and plants that can be harmful to pets. Follow product instructions carefully and keep pets away from treated areas for the recommended amount of time. When adding new landscaping, check whether the plants are safe for dogs and cats.
Foxtails and Grass Seeds
Dry grasses and seed heads can become embedded in a pet’s paws, ears, eyes, nose, or skin. After walks through dry or weedy areas, check your pet’s coat, paws, and ears. Persistent sneezing, head shaking, licking, swelling, or irritation after an outing may warrant veterinary attention.
Water, Hiking, and Recreation Safety
Utah Valley offers plenty of opportunities to get outdoors with your pet, but lakes, reservoirs, trails, and mountain terrain bring their own risks. Plan for the conditions and remember that your pet may tire, overheat, or become dehydrated before you do.
- Carry enough water for both you and your pet when hiking.
- Do not assume natural water sources are safe for pets to drink from.
- Check current conditions before allowing pets into lakes, ponds, or reservoirs.
- Watch for posted warnings about harmful algal blooms or other water-quality concerns.
- Use a properly fitted pet life jacket when boating or paddleboarding.
- Keep dogs away from steep drop-offs, fast-moving water, and unstable terrain.
- Check paws, coat, and ears for injuries, ticks, foxtails, and other debris after outdoor adventures.
- Make sure your pet has identification and that microchip information is current.
Watch the Weather
Conditions can change quickly in Utah, particularly in the mountains. Check the forecast before heading out and be prepared to shorten or cancel an outing when heat, thunderstorms, snow, or other conditions could put your pet at risk.
Be Prepared for a Pet Emergency
Knowing what to do before an emergency happens can save valuable time. Keep your regular veterinarian’s contact information readily available and identify an emergency veterinary clinic you could use after normal business hours.
- Save your veterinarian’s phone number in your phone.
- Identify the nearest emergency veterinary option.
- Keep your pet’s medical and vaccination information accessible.
- Keep your pet’s microchip registration and contact information current.
- Have a carrier or safe way to transport your pet readily available.
- Consider keeping a basic pet first-aid kit at home and in your vehicle.
Utah is a wonderful place to explore with pets. A little awareness of the climate, wildlife, terrain, and seasonal hazards can help you enjoy it safely together.
