24/05/2026
☀️ Hot Weather Information ☀️
With the current heatwave, we want to share some useful information and advice on looking after your pets during hot weather.
Hot weather can be dangerous for pets, so it’s important to keep them cool, comfortable, and well hydrated.
ANIMALS AT HIGH RISK:
🏃♂️ Any animal at exercise
🐶 Short nosed/ flat faced breeds
⚖️ Overweight animals
😿 Animals with underlying conditions
👵 Elderly animals
☀️ Animals without shade who cannot get out of the sun (especially dangerous are hutches, cages, runs etc.)
TIPS TO KEEP ANIMALS SAFE:
✔️ Make sure there is always access to fresh water
✔️ Keep in shade and avoid direct sunlight (including small pets, rabbit hutches, bird cages etc), close blinds/curtains if necessary
✔️ Keep rooms well ventilated
❌ DO NOT EXERCISE dogs in the sun. Avoid the hottest parts of the day, ideally wait until the evening or early in the morning. A dog will not die from missing a walk but one walk in hot weather could be fatal
🚗 If you need to travel, use aircon if you have it or ensure good ventilation with open windows
❌Never leave any animals in a vehicle. If you see an animal in distress in a vehicle call 999
🖐️Test the tarmac with your hand, if it's too hot for you it's too hot for your pet’s paws
🦊 Please also spare a thought for wild animals and place bowls of water outside
SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE:
Initial signs:
⚠️ Heavy panting
⚠️ Drooling
⚠️ Restlessness/Agitation
⚠️ Bright red or very pale gums
⚠️ Increased heart rate
⚠️ Vomiting or diarrhoea
Progressing to:
⚠️ Lack of co-ordination
⚠️ Lethargy
⚠️ Vacant or distant behaviour
⚠️ Weakness or collapse
⚠️ Seizures
WHAT TO DO:
If your dog shows signs of heatstroke, act immediately: stop exercise, move them to the shade, and start cooling them down with water before transporting them to a vet.
It is vital to ‘COOL FIRST, TRANSPORT SECOND’ to prevent fatal organ damage.
The 4-Step Emergency Action Plan
1. Stop & Move
* Halt all activity immediately and move your dog to a shaded, well-ventilated area.
2. Actively Cool
* Young, healthy dogs: Pour cool (not freezing) water over their body, or immerse them in shallow, cool water (like a stream), avoiding their head.
* Older dogs or those with health issues: Spray cool water over them and create a breeze with a fan/aircon. Never submerge these dogs fully.
* Important: Do not put wet towels directly over a dog, as this can trap heat and raise their body temperature. Lay them on top of a wet towel instead.
3. Hydrate Safely
* Offer them small, frequent sips of cool water. Do not force them to drink, as they could inhale it.
4. Call Your Vet
You can find more information at the links below:
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/teaching-and-research/fact-files/heatstroke-in-dogs-and-cats
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/heatstroke
