Pawliday Inn
Welcome to Houston. If you're moving to Houston with a dog, you're joining a big, dog-loving city with plenty of trails, patios and green space. You're also moving somewhere with long, hot summers, a hurricane season, and pests that don't take much of a winter break. A little preparation in your first few weeks will help your dog settle in safely and help you build a reliable support network for vet care, exercise, and the days you can't be home.
The weather: plan around heat and humidity
Houston's climate is the biggest adjustment for most newcomers, and their dogs.
- Summer heat lasts a long time. Hot, humid weather can stretch from late spring well into fall. Walks shift to early mornings and late evenings.
- Pavement gets hot. Asphalt and concrete in full sun can burn paw pads. Test with the back of your hand before walks.
- Humidity makes cooling harder. Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, which works less efficiently in humid air. Flat-faced breeds, seniors, overweight dogs and heavy-coated dogs are at higher risk of overheating.
Our Houston heat safety guide for dogs explains heatstroke signs and how to prevent it.
Storms and hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Houston also gets heavy rain and street flooding outside of hurricanes. Learn your new home's flood risk, sign up for local emergency alerts, and build a pet emergency kit early. Our hurricane season plan for dogs walks through what to pack and how to plan an evacuation with your dog. The City of Houston shares emergency information on its official site, houstontx.gov.
Occasional freezes
Winters are usually mild, but hard freezes do happen now and then. Have a plan to keep your dog warm indoors if the power goes out.
Pests: year-round prevention
Mild winters mean fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can stay active for much of the year. Mosquitoes spread heartworm, a serious disease that's much easier to prevent than to treat. Ask your new vet about a year-round flea, tick and heartworm prevention plan suited to the Gulf Coast.
Finding a vet
Make finding a vet one of your first tasks, before you need one.
- Transfer records. Ask your previous vet to send your dog's records, including vaccine history, so nothing lapses during the move.
- Book a new-patient visit. It gives your new vet a baseline and lets you ask about local health risks.
- Find an emergency clinic. Know where the nearest 24-hour emergency vet is, and save the number in your phone.
- Keep paperwork handy. Daycares, boarding facilities and groomers will ask for current vaccine records.
City rules and registration
Houston has its own pet rules on things like rabies vaccination, registration and leashes. Rabies vaccination for dogs is required under Texas law. Within city limits, the City of Houston's animal services department, BARC, is the place to check on local pet rules. Requirements can change and may differ if you live in a suburb or another city in the metro area, so check with your local city or county directly. For Houston, start at houstontx.gov.
If you rent, read your lease's pet policy closely. Many apartment communities have their own rules on breed, size, number of pets and where dogs can relieve themselves.
Parks, trails and getting outside
Houston has an extensive network of parks and bayou trails, and many neighborhoods have dog parks. A few tips for newcomers:
- Bayou trails offer long walks, but shade can be limited. Go early on warm days and carry water.
- Dog parks can be a fun outlet for social dogs, but they're unpredictable. Our comparison of dog daycare vs. the dog park covers the differences.
- Wildlife is part of city life here. Keep dogs leashed near water and watch for snakes in tall grass.
Building your care network
New city, no friends nearby to watch your dog yet. That's when local care options matter.
| Need | Option at Pawliday Inn |
|---|---|
| Long workdays | Full-day daycare with play yards separated by energy level |
| Travel | Overnight boarding, staffed 24/7 |
| Coat and nail care | Size-based grooming packages |
We're on Cedarhurst Dr in southwest Houston, near Meyerland, Westbury and Willow Meadows, with South Main (US-90A), Fondren, Hillcroft and the South Loop (I-610) nearby. Look for the larger-than-life dog mural. Daycare starts with a free meet and greet, which is a nice low-pressure way for a newly moved dog to get used to a new place. Learn about dog daycare in Houston, and see current rates on our homepage.
Frequently asked questions
What's the hardest part of moving to Houston with a dog?
For most people, it's the heat. Plan walks for cooler times of day, watch for signs of overheating, and keep your dog indoors during the hottest hours.
Do dogs need special vaccines in Houston?
Talk with your new vet about local risks. Rabies vaccination is required by Texas law. Daycare and boarding facilities typically ask for others; Pawliday Inn requires current Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccinations, plus regular flea, tick and intestinal parasite prevention.
Do I need to register my dog with the city?
Rules vary by city. In Houston, check the City of Houston's official website for current requirements. If you live in a suburb, check with that city or county.
How do I help my dog adjust after the move?
Keep feeding, walks and bedtime as consistent as you can, and give your dog time to explore the new home calmly. If your dog seems unusually stressed for a long time, ask your vet.