Weather can be unpredictable: Even with modern technology, forecasters are still making the wrong predictions for the weather — and that can be a real issue when you’re traveling with dogs. Even the most diligent owners can accidentally put their pets’ health and lives at risk if they suddenly encounter unexpectedly cold or hot temperatures that they weren’t prepared to deal with.

Traveling in some regions can also be tricky. Take the state of Colorado, for instance. In October 2019, it was 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.8°C) one day in the Boulder and Denver regions, then snowed heavily the next day. During that short time, if you were out hiking and camping with your dog, you could have inadvertently exposed the canine to overheating on the first day, and then to dangerously cold weather the next.

Although this scenario is an extreme example, it does point out the importance of knowing the signs that your pet may be too hot or too cold, as well as the ways you can help your pet recover from these dangerous weather-related health issues.