23/05/2026
โ๏ธโ ๏ธ Highs of 29ยฐc today โ ๏ธ โ๏ธ
HEAT STROKE MYTH BUSTING
Myth: You should only use tepid water to cool a dog with heatstroke. Cold water can cause shock.
TRUTH: Use the closest cool or cold water immediately, rapid cooling saves lives. A hose (run through any warm standing water) paddling pool, even a pond can be used if close to hand. Tepid water is not effective enough. Get them wet, get them to a vet โผ๏ธ
Myth - Dogs in other hot countries cope just fine
TRUTH - Dogs raised in the UK are not โusedโ to consistently hot temperature, this spike in temperature is new to them and difficult to suddenly adjust to. Dogs in hot countries can and do get heat stroke โ๏ธ
Myth - Only dogs can get heat stroke
TRUTH - All pets are at risk of heat stroke. Rabbit hutches can turn in to saunas, adding pet safe ice blocks can help to cool them down or bringing them inside your home, even just for the day ๐ฐ
Myth - You must never give ice cubes to dogs
TRUTH - Unless youโre concerned your dog has heat stroke, itโs okay to give ice cubes, homemade dog safe ice lollies to healthy dogs, in moderation ๐ง
Myth - If a dog has heat stroke, squirting lemon juice into their mouth will help by reducing the amount of saliva the dog is producing
TRUTH - This absolutely does not work. The dog is simply producing additional saliva whilst panting, in an attempt to reduce their core temperature. Not only does putting lemon juice in their mouth not work, but you may be delaying lifesaving veterinary treatment ๐ โ ๏ธ
Myth - As long as you walk in the shade, itโs fine
TRUTH - In the shade, you may feel 10-15 degrees cooler, but the air temperature is the same as the temperature in full sunlight. Shade only feels cooler because you are avoiding solar radiation. The temperature you see on your phone is the measurement of air temperature, not the temperature of the suns rays on you โ
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Myth - You need direct sunlight to get heat stroke
TRUTH - You only need heat to get heat stroke ๐ก๏ธ
Myth - Some dogs just love the sun and will lay in it for hours, so they must be okay
TRUTH - Some dogs, given the chance, would make lots of dangerous choices - eating things they shouldnโt, running into the road etc. they rely on us to keep them safe ๐ถ
Myth - Itโs okay to leave a dog in the car IF you are only going to be a few minutes
TRUTH - It can take as little as 6 minutes for a dog to die in a hot car and most people passing wonโt know how long youโve been gone ๐ ๐ฐ
โ ๏ธ If you have any concerns that your pet has heat stroke please seek veterinary advice immediately
