Heatstroke Prevention for Dogs and Cats: When to Start and What to Do? Survey on Owner Practices: Conducted by Pet Medical Support Inc. of "PS Insurance"

Pet Medical Support Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Akihito Yonemitsu), which offers the pet insurance "PS Insurance," conducted a survey of 1,691 dog and cat owners nationwide regarding their practices for preventing heatstroke in their pets. We present the detailed results.

[Survey Overview]

Period: June 4, 2026 (1 day)

Participants: 1,691 dog and cat owners nationwide

Participant Age: 20-69 years old

Method: Internet research

Valid Responses: 394 (23.3% of the 1,691 surveyed participants responded. Of these, 195 were dog owners and 199 were cat owners.)

*When citing this survey data, please attribute the source as "Survey by Pet Insurance 'PS Insurance'."

[Survey Results: Practices for Heatstroke Prevention in Dogs and Cats]

- When to Start Heatstroke Prevention

For dogs, "June" was the most common answer at 41.5%, indicating that many owners start prevention measures before the peak of summer. For cats, "July" was the most frequent response at 34.7%, showing a slightly later start compared to dogs.

- Summer Heatstroke Prevention Measures

For both dogs and cats, "Leaving the air conditioner on while they are home alone" was the most common measure. This was particularly prevalent among cat owners at 23.3%, exceeding dog owners at 16.8%, suggesting a strong emphasis on temperature control.

- Signs of Concern During Summer

For dogs, "Increased/decreased water intake" was the most common sign at 17.0%, followed by "Rapid breathing" at 16.5%. For cats, "Stretching out on the floor or in a cool place" was the most frequent at 17.3%, indicating differences in noticeable signs between dogs and cats.

- When Owners Perceive Their Pets as Comfortable

For both dogs and cats, "Sleeping soundly" was the most common observation. This was 25.5% for dogs and 26.5% for cats, showing that owners perceive sleeping and relaxed postures as signs of comfort.

- What Owners Find Acceptable for Their Pets

For both dogs and cats, "Higher electricity bills" was the most common answer, at 51.3% for dogs and 47.7% for cats. Many owners accept increased electricity costs for the sake of heatstroke prevention.

*The sum of the aggregated values may not always be 100% because the first decimal place is rounded.

*For questions marked "Multiple answers allowed" in the graphs, the sum of the aggregated values may exceed 100% because the percentage for each option is calculated with the number of respondents as the denominator.

Month When Heatstroke Prevention for Dogs and Cats Begins

Dog Owner Responses

"June" (41.5%) was the most frequent response, followed by "July" (21.0%) and "May" (17.4%). Combining May and June accounts for 58.9%, indicating that many dog owners begin heatstroke prevention measures before the full heat sets in. For dogs, who also spend time outdoors for walks, early heat countermeasures seem to be a priority.

Cat Owner Responses

"July" (34.7%) was the most frequent response, followed by "June" (26.1%) and "None in particular" (20.6%). While "June" was most common for dogs, "July" was the highest for cats, showing a tendency for slightly later initiation of measures compared to dogs. Even for cats, who spend more time indoors, many owners begin countermeasures around the time the heat becomes intense.

Summer Heatstroke Prevention Measures for Dogs and Cats

Dog Owner Responses

"Leaving the air conditioner on while they are home alone" (16.8%) was the most common measure. "Using cooling mats/icy goods" followed closely at 16.4%. Additionally, "Frequently checking room temperature and humidity" (13.5%) and "Changing walk and outing times to early morning/late evening" (13.5%) were also highly ranked. Dog heatstroke prevention measures are taken both "indoors and outdoors," from managing room temperature while they are home alone to adjusting walk times.

Cat Owner Responses

"Leaving the air conditioner on while they are home alone" (23.3%) was the most common measure, exceeding the percentage for dogs by 6.5 points. This was followed by "Using cooling mats/icy goods" (15.4%) and "Frequently checking room temperature and humidity" (15.4%). For cats, who spend more time at home, managing the indoor environment during summer is crucial.

Even when owners are out, air conditioning is managed with the comfort of their cats in mind.

Signs Owners Notice in Their Dogs and Cats During Summer

Dog Owner Responses

"Increased/decreased water intake" (17.0%) was the most common sign. This was followed by "Rapid breathing" (16.5%) and "Lethargy" (16.1%). For dogs, signs related to changes in water intake and breathing, which are relatively apparent in their behavior, ranked high. Many owners are concerned about differences from their pet's usual behavior, including their condition after walks or outings.

Cat Owner Responses

"Stretching out on the floor or in a cool place" (17.3%) was the most common sign. This was followed by "Loss of appetite" (16.4%) and "Lethargy" (16.2%). For cats, signs related to where they rest and their appetite and energy levels ranked higher than changes in breathing. Even their relaxed posture in cool places is considered a sign of comfort during summer, but owners also pay attention to it as a potential indicator of heat stress.

When Owners Perceive Their Dogs and Cats as Comfortable

Dog Owner Responses

"Sleeping soundly" (25.5%) was the most common observation. This was followed by "Drinking water well" (18.7%) and "Playing as usual" (15.3%). The ability to sleep peacefully even in summer and not showing reduced activity due to heat are considered indicators of comfort.

Cat Owner Responses

"Sleeping soundly" (26.5%) was the most common observation. This was followed by "Drinking water well" (20.6%) and "Having an appetite" (15.0%). Being able to relax in a cool place and maintain appetite even during hot weather are perceived as signs of comfort for cats.

What Owners Find Acceptable for Their Dogs and Cats

Dog Owner Responses

"Higher electricity bills" (51.3%) was the most common answer. This was followed by "Restrictions on outing times" (19.0%) and "The home becoming pet-centric" (16.4%). Many owners accept lifestyle adjustments, such as using air conditioning and adjusting outing times, for the sake of preventing heatstroke in their dogs.

Cat Owner Responses

"Higher electricity bills" (47.7%) was the most common answer. This was followed by "Restrictions on outing times" (14.6%) and "The home becoming pet-centric" (14.6%). Similar to dog owners, many owners accept increased electricity costs for the sake of preventing heatstroke in their cats.

Conclusion

As the weather gets hotter, heatstroke prevention for dogs and cats becomes essential. In addition to using air conditioning, ensuring access to drinking water, and creating a comfortable environment, it is also important to quickly notice any differences from their usual behavior, such as changes in appetite, breathing, or energy levels.

However, even with daily precautions, health issues can arise unexpectedly. Since heatstroke and other summer ailments may require veterinary visits and treatment, it is important to consider preparations for emergencies alongside daily prevention.

The everyday lives we share with our dogs and cats are only possible when they are healthy. Pet insurance can be a reassuring option to prepare for unexpected injuries or illnesses.

Pet Medical Support's "PS Insurance" offers a free (※1) "Veterinarian Dial" service, providing 24/7 phone consultations with experienced veterinarians to policyholders. This allows for immediate consultation even outside of regular clinic hours, providing peace of mind.

※1 Communication charges will be borne by the customer.

24/7 Veterinarian Dial

https://pshoken.co.jp/summary/veterinarian_dial.html

"PS Insurance" coverage extends from minor outpatient treatments to hospitalization requiring surgery. It offers broad coverage at affordable premiums, and the premiums increase gradually only once every three years after automatic renewal, making it easy to continue throughout your pet's life. (※2)

※2 This does not guarantee future premium amounts.

For more details on the pet insurance product "PS Insurance," click here:

https://pshoken.co.jp/summary/

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Pet Medical Support Inc.

Representative: Akihito Yonemitsu, President and CEO

Address: 2F Aoyama Tower Place, 8-4-14 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052

Start of Business: May 2, 2008

Business Description: Small Amount and Short Term Insurance Business (Registration Number: Kanto Local Finance Bureau (Short-term Insurance) No. 24)

Capital: 332.75 million yen (as of March 2025)

URL: https://pshoken.co.jp/