Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and one of the busiest times of year for pet health concerns. Our team at Town and Country Animal Hospital wants every pet parent in Fairfax to head into the holiday weekend feeling prepared. Here is what we see most this time of year, and what you can do about it before the cookout starts.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
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Parked car temp
120°F
On an 85°F day, in under 30 minutes
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Weeks to July 4th
6
Time to plan fireworks anxiety meds now
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Heatstroke onset
105°F
Body temp where organ damage can begin
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Heatstroke
TEMPERATURE DANGER SCALE
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99°F
Normal
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105°F
Organ damage begins
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120°F
Parked car
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Danger zone above 105°F. Organ damage can start in minutes. Short-nosed breeds and older dogs reach it faster.
WARNING SIGNS
? Heavy, nonstop panting and thick stringy drool
? Bright red gums or tongue
? Stumbling or wobbly walk
? Vomiting or collapse
? Body temperature climbing past 105°F
Dogs cool themselves by panting. Once their core temperature climbs past 105°F, organ damage can start within minutes. On an 85°F day, the inside of a parked car hits 120°F in under 30 minutes, even with windows cracked. Never leave a pet in a car, even with windows cracked.
Short-nosed breeds (Frenchies, bulldogs, pugs, and boxers) are at the highest risk. So are older dogs, overweight dogs, and pets with heart or breathing issues.
If you see these signs, move your pet to shade, pour cool (not ice cold) water over them, and get them seen right away. For 24/7 emergency care, our sister hospital Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center is open around the clock at (703) 256-8414, no additional emergency fee.
The Cookout Table
FOODS TO KEEP AWAY FROM PETS
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Cooked Bones
Splinter and lodge in the GI tract
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Corn Cobs
Obstruction. Often requires surgery
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Chocolate
Toxic in any amount
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Grapes & Raisins
Kidney failure, even small amounts
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Onions & Garlic
Destroys red blood cells
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Xylitol / Sugar-Free
In gum and desserts. Extremely toxic
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Fatty Trimmings
Pancreatitis. Painful and serious
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Alcohol
Toxic even in small amounts
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One rule covers everything: keep a lidded trash can where guests can toss scraps, and walk your guests through the no-feeding rule before the grill is lit. It takes one "just a little bit" to turn a holiday weekend into a stressful one.
Hot Pavement
THE 7-SECOND PAVEMENT TEST
Press the back of your hand flat to the pavement. If you can't hold it there for 7 seconds, it's too hot for your dog.
Walk in the grass. Walk early morning or after sunset. Asphalt that feels warm to you can hit 140°F by mid-afternoon. Paw burns happen in seconds.
Lost Pets
DO THIS BEFORE THE WEEKEND
? Confirm microchip registration has your current phone number
? Check that ID tags are legible and securely attached
? Take a fresh photo of your pet, in case you need to post "found"
? Walk the yard for gaps in the fence or weak gate latches
? Set up a quiet room with a closed door and calming music for anxious pets
More dogs get lost over Memorial Day weekend and the Fourth of July than any other weekends of the year. Gates left open, guests in and out, fireworks-spooked dogs bolting through screen doors. Five minutes this week can prevent a nightmare this weekend.
No microchip yet? We can do it at any Fear Free Appointment. Just ask at the front desk.
Fireworks Anxiety
PLAN NOW, NOT JULY 3RD
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MAY 23–25
Memorial Day, First fireworks
6 weeks to act. Schedule a Fear Free Appointment now
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THIS WEEK
Talk to your vet
Prescriptions take time. Don't wait
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JULY 4, 2026
Second round
Same medication still works
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FEAR FREE CERTIFIED PRACTICE
This is exactly what a Fear Free Appointment is for.
Trazodone and gabapentin are common and effective. We can write the prescription before this weekend if your pet has a history of fireworks panic. Don't wait until July 3rd. We fill up fast.
Schedule a Fear Free AppointmentWhen You Need Emergency Care
Signs that need immediate emergency attention: heavy nonstop panting that doesn't slow with rest and water, vomiting more than once or vomiting blood, suspected toxin ingestion (chocolate, grapes, xylitol), trouble breathing, pale or blue gums, a bloated or hard belly, or any time your gut says something is wrong.
Town and Country is a general practice. If your pet needs urgent care outside of our hours, go directly to our sister hospital Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center in Annandale. They are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every holiday.
SISTER HOSPITAL, OPEN ALL WEEKEND
Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center
4205 Evergreen Ln, Annandale, VA 22003
(703) 256-8414
Open 24/7. No appointment needed. No additional emergency fee.
TOWN AND COUNTRY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Ready for the Holiday Weekend
Our Fairfax team is here for wellness visits, sick visits, and anything you want to get ahead of before the long weekend.
Schedule a Fear Free Appointment9836 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030 · (703) 273-2110
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can a dog overheat in a parked car?
In under 30 minutes on an 85°F day, the inside of a parked car hits 120°F, even with windows cracked. Never leave a pet in a parked car during warm weather, even briefly.
What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
Heavy nonstop panting, bright red gums, stumbling, vomiting, or collapse. Move your pet to shade immediately, apply cool (not ice cold) water, and get them seen right away. For emergency care after hours, Columbia Pike Animal Hospital & Emergency Center is open 24/7 at (703) 256-8414.
What cookout foods are dangerous for pets?
Cooked bones, corn cobs, chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol (in sugar-free gum and desserts), fatty trimmings, and alcohol. Keep a lidded trash can accessible and set the no-feeding rule before the party starts.
Can Town and Country prescribe fireworks anxiety medication?
Yes. Schedule a Fear Free Appointment before Memorial Day weekend and we can discuss your pet's history and appropriate options, including trazodone and gabapentin. Don't wait until the week of July 4th, we book up quickly before holidays.
How do I keep my pet calm during fireworks?
The most effective approach is to plan ahead. A prescription medication discussed at a Fear Free Appointment, combined with a quiet room with white noise or calming music, makes a significant difference. Confirm the microchip registration and check that ID tags are secure before dusk.
What should I do if my pet goes missing over the holiday weekend?
Post immediately on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups for Fairfax and surrounding neighborhoods. Check local shelters the same day. A registered microchip and current ID tags dramatically improve the odds of a quick reunion. Not yet microchipped? Ask at your next Fear Free Appointment.