Pet Tips for Hot Weather

Exercising dogs in hot weather can be particularly dangerous and even fatal!

Older, flat-faced and overweight pets especially at risk of heatstroke on hot days.

With temperatures set to soar, we are appealing to pet owners to keep their pets safely out of the sun. We’re particularly concerned about the number of dogs who are exercised in hot weather.

Heatwaves pose a serious risk to pets, particularly dogs, cats and smaller furry pets. Unlike humans, many animals struggle to regulate their body temperature, making them highly susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration.

Depending on your dog’s breed, coat, age and whether they are flat faced, they may not tolerate warm weather. Dogs’ paw pads can also burn on hot pavements. As a rule, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.

While exercise is important for dogs, it is not necessary in hot weather and all dogs should be kept safely indoors in cool rooms during periods of very hot weather. Please read our top tips for keeping your dog(s) happy without a walk here.

Dr Sophie Olah, Head of Veterinary Services: “While most people look forward to and enjoy hot weather, us humans have the luxury of being able to wear lighter clothes. Unfortunately, our pets are unable to do this. So, over the next few days we would advise not walking dogs, unless it’s very early in the morning or the temperature has dropped sufficiently in the late evening to do so. It’s the temperature that’s important when deciding if it’s safe to walk your dog, rather than if the sun is shining. Some dogs won’t toilet in their own garden and some dogs live in apartments, so if this applies to you, we recommend you walk as slowly as possible, bring plenty of water with you and stick to shaded areas.

Obvious signs of heatstroke include collapse, excessive panting or breathing heavily, and dribbling. Please move your pet to a cool place, wet their coat thoroughly and contact a vet immediately.”

Pet Tips for Hot Weather

• Keep your pet indoors
• Ensure your pet has plenty of access to shade if outdoors
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available for your pet
• Take your pet for a walk very early morning or very late evening when the sun has gone down in cooler temperatures
• If your pet is older, overweight or brachycephalic (flat faced), take extra care on very hot days it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke
• If your pet is brachycephalic take extra care that they don’t overheat in warm weather, it doesn’t need to be a very hot day for a brachycephalic pet to get heat stroke it out in the sun
• Make sure the pavement/ground surface you’re walking your dog on is not too hot for your pet – don’t forget they don’t wear shoes!
• Do play with your pet indoors and use interactive toys to keep them mentally stimulated
• Consider one of the frozen recipes here
• Never leave your pet in a car in hot weather in any situation

Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and in worst case situations can be life threatening!

Dr Ciara Sweeney, Veterinary Surgeon: “Pets rely on us completely to keep them safe and healthy, and a few simple steps can prevent them suffering in the heat. Please ensure your pets have access to fresh, cool water and shaded areas at all times.

Cats can be fussy about their water source, so you can freeze some spring water from a tin of tuna for example, to help keep them hydrated. As cats are well known for hiding in small spaces, it might be advisable to keep them inside on very hot days, so they don’t inadvertently get trapped in a shed or greenhouse.”

We also advise that people with small furry pets, ensure they are well groomed, their accommodation is kept out of direct sunlight, and they have access to plenty of fresh, cool water.