Use your browser’s print dialog to print this page or choose “Save as PDF.” Numbers in brackets match the sources at the end.
All year
Valley fever
Dogs get it by breathing in a fungus found in Arizona dirt and dust. Early signs include coughing, fever, weight loss, poor appetite, and low energy. An estimated 6 to 10% of dogs in Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties get sick with it each year. [17]
Rabies
Bats, skunks, and foxes are the main sources of rabies in Arizona. Keep your dog’s rabies vaccine current; Maricopa County requires it. [19][18]
Poison help lines
ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply). Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center 1-800-222-1222. [22][12]
Month by month
January
Records check.Look over vaccine records before spring trips and summer stays. AAHA suggests finishing travel vaccines at least two weeks before you go. [20]
License and rabies.Maricopa County requires dogs over three months old to be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. [18]
ID check.Make sure the phone number on your dog’s tag and microchip record is current. [13]
February
Trip planning.Dog rules differ by park and trail. Check each one before you go (see our B.A.R.K. Ranger note).
Yard check.Sago palm and oleander are both toxic to dogs. Know whether either grows where your dog plays. [15][16]
March
Rattlesnake season starts.In warm desert areas, rattlesnakes are most active from March through October. [8]
A bite is an emergency.Keep your dog quiet, limit movement, and go to a veterinarian right away. Skip ice, cutting, suction, and tourniquets. [9]
April
Snakes on the move.April is especially active, as rattlesnakes come out of hibernation. Keep your dog close on trails. [8]
Warm afternoons.Hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. Too hot for your hand is too hot for paws. [6]
May
The first 100°F day.Phoenix averages its first 100°F day around May 2. [2]
The trail rule.Dogs are not allowed on any City of Phoenix hiking trail when it is 100°F or warmer. [1]
Walks cause most heatstroke.In UK veterinary records, exercise triggered about 74% of heat-related illness in dogs, and hot cars about 5%. [3]
June
Flat-faced dogs first.French bulldogs had about 6.5 times the odds of heat-related illness of Labradors, and bulldogs about 14 times. Walk at the coolest time of day (field note). [4][5]
Monsoon begins June 15.Storms peak from mid-July to mid-August. [10]
Algae in warm water.Harmful algal blooms grow in warm months. Keep dogs away from water that looks like pea soup or spilled paint. [14]
July
Fireworks.Animal control agencies see 30 to 60% more lost pets between July 4 and 6. Keep dogs indoors, with a current tag and microchip. [13]
Sonoran Desert toads.Most active in July and August, especially during heavy rain. Their toxin can cause anything from severe discomfort to paralysis and death. [11][12]
After toad contact.Flush your dog’s mouth with running water from one side to the other, head tilted down, then call your vet. [12][11]
August
Heat warnings close trails.During Extreme Heat Warnings, Phoenix closes some trails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., including Camelback’s Echo and Cholla trails. [1]
Check the water bowl.A toad sitting in a dog’s water bowl long enough can make the water harmful. [12]
September
Monsoon ends September 30.Phoenix’s official monsoon season runs June 15 to September 30. [10]
Still hot.Phoenix averages its last 100°F day around October 5, so keep walks early. [2]
October
Halloween.Candy can contain chocolate or xylitol, and raisins can cause kidney failure. Keep treats out of reach and ID on (Halloween field note). [21]
Snakes until the end of the month.Rattlesnakes stay active through October. [8]
Holiday stays fill early.Book holiday boarding ahead, and consider a short trial stay first (first-stay checklist). [23]
November
Thanksgiving.Poultry bones, fatty foods, onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, and raw yeast dough can all harm dogs. Bag the trash tightly. Test yourself with Safe or skip? The holiday table. [22]
Guests and open doors.Watch the exits when people come and go. [22]
New Year’s Eve fireworks.Same plan as July 4: indoors, a quiet room, ID on, and ask your vet ahead of time if your dog is anxious. [13]
My veterinarian
Nearest emergency vet
Microchip company and number
Where sources differ. The RSPCA’s pavement check is five seconds; some older guides say seven. For toad exposure, the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center describes rinsing from one side of the mouth to the other, while Pet Poison Helpline guidance (through the AKC) describes rinsing from back to front with the nose pointed down. Both keep water from going down the throat. The heatstroke figures come from UK veterinary records, where summers are milder than ours.
Educational information, not an individual veterinary assessment. If your dog needs urgent help, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary service rather than waiting for a reply from Boss Dog Co.
Hall EJ, Carter AJ, O’Neill DG. Dogs don’t die just in hot cars: exertional heat-related illness (heatstroke) is a greater threat to UK dogs. Animals, 2020. doi.org/10.3390/ani10081324 (opens in a new tab)
A short note at the start of each month: the Arizona risks coming up for dogs, one practical tip with its source, and new free guides when we publish them.
Educational information, not an individual veterinary assessment.