Zen Dogs

24/05/2026

🌡️☀️🐶 HOT • WEATHER • TIPS 🐶☀️🌡️

IF YOUR DOG SHOWS SIGNS OF OVERHEATING, WET THEM AND CALL THE VET
OVERHEATING IS A SERIOUS MATTER

📝 TAKE NOTE 📝
Yes, I have repeated myself in places, only to promote the importance!!

❄️ Keep your furry family members cool and rested, don’t forget about your smaller pets too! 🐰 🐭 🐹

💦 Always provide fresh water
Keep multiple bowls of cool water available indoors and outside in the shade.
🧊 You can add ice cubes on very hot days.

🐕‍🦺 Don’t walk your dog in the day! Even in shaded areas and places with water can be a risk!
‼️ The ambient temperature also needs to be considered!

🥵 If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.
👕 They can’t take layers off to cool down.

🚘 NEVER Never leave dogs in cars during hot weather.
🌡️ Even in the UK, cars heat up dangerously fast, even with windows open.

🌚 💨🪭 Provide shade and airflow
Make sure your dog has access to shaded, cool areas and good ventilation indoors.

❌ Avoid over-exercise
Running, long hikes, and intense play can quickly lead to overheating.
Excessive sniffing can also be a risk for overheating in dogs.

🆒 Use cooling aids if needed
Cooling mats, damp towels (on the floor not on your dog!), paddling pools, or frozen treats can help keep body temperature down.

👀 Watch for signs of heatstroke
Symptoms include:
- heavy panting
- drooling
- vomiting
- lethargy
- confusion
- collapse
🚨🆘 Heatstroke is an emergency
📲- contact a vet immediately if you notice these signs.
⚠️Take extra care with vulnerable dogs - flat-faced breeds, older dogs, overweight dogs, and puppies are more at risk in hot weather.

Reminder if you’re one to skip to the end!
‼️ it’s especially important to understand that ambient temperature (the air temperature around you) affects dogs differently than humans; and some breeds are at much higher risk.
Dogs cool themselves mainly through panting, which becomes less effective as air temperature rises.

🌳🌊Cool-looking environments can still be dangerous if the ambient temperature, humidity, exertion level, or excitement are high.
Overheating frequently happens during:
- beach walks
- woodland hikes
- river games
- long fetch sessions
- group dog walks
- excitement and exercise can override a dog’s ability to self-regulate.

👃🏼Replacing walks with sniffy games can also be a risk if done in the sun or during hotter times of day. Sniffing can be a risk for overheating in hotter months due to the olfactory system working more and in turn causing the head to get hot; the dog also is unable to pant at the same time. Overarousal can take over where they are unable to choose to stop themselves; it’s up to us to monitor this.

💧Secondary drowning / delayed drowning risk
Dogs can inhale water while swimming or playing fetch repeatedly in water. In some cases, fluid irritation in the lungs can cause breathing problems hours later; sometimes called secondary or delayed drowning.
⚠️Warning signs after swimming include:
- coughing
- unusual tiredness
- rapid or laboured breathing
- wheezing
- pale or bluish gums
- vomiting
🚨🆘📲 If these appear after a swim, contact a vet urgently.
🌊⚠️ Avoid excessive water retrieving games
Constantly throwing balls into water can cause dogs to gulp water accidentally while repeatedly leaping and retrieving.

🇬🇧 Many UK dogs are not acclimatised to sudden heat. (I struggle with this myself! 😝)
In the UK, temperatures can jump rapidly over a few days rather than increasing gradually across a long summer.
‼️Dogs often do not have time to physiologically adapt to warmer conditions, especially after cooler or wet weather.

- Remember: WET BEFORE VET
- Keep their temperature down before it’s too late

Statistics can be found here:
O'Neill. D. (2023) The RVC urges owners of hot dogs to “cool first, transport second” https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/the-rvc-urges-owners-of-hot-dogs-to-cool-first-transport-second

More information links:
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/small-animal-vet/teaching-and-research/fact-files/heatstroke-in-dogs-and-cats

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

23/05/2026

Hot Forecast Due 🌅

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...

We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!

But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.

You should:

💧Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, at risk, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
💧Note: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car

In studies they found that:

🌅International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
🌅Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
🌅Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
🌅No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold‐water immersion.
🌅Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
🌅Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion

The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.

Read more below:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

And listen to our podcasts on Vet Voices On Air

Too Hot to Handle: The Truth About Canine Heatstroke

Heatstroke is one of the most lethal yet most misunderstood emergencies in veterinary medicine—and it doesn’t only happen on scorching summer days.

In this in-depth episode Robyn from Vet Voices on Air is joined by two leading voices in the field: Dr Emily Hall, primary care vet, educator, and researcher whose PhD focused on the epidemiology of heatstroke in UK dogs, and Emily Cockerill, referral RVN and Lowland Rescue search dog volunteer with extensive real-world experience managing dogs working in extreme conditions.

Together, they unpack what heatstroke actually is, why it’s so dangerous, and why time and temperature matter more than almost anything else. Using clear, evidence-based explanations, they explore what happens inside the body when temperatures rise—how proteins “cook,” organs fail, and why once a critical threshold is crossed, the damage is irreversible.

The conversation tackles long-standing myths head-on, including:
The belief that cold or ice water causes “shock”

➡Why wet towels can worsen overheating
➡The dangers of lemon juice in brachycephalic dogs
➡Misconceptions around double-coated breeds and clipping
➡Why ice cubes might not meaningfully cool dogs but can be used for indoor and cool enrichment

Crucially, the episode highlights that exertional heatstroke is the most common cause, not hot cars—and that heatstroke can occur in winter, during travel, stress, anaesthesia recovery, or even inside veterinary practices. Certain breeds and health conditions increase risk, but any dog (or cat, rabbit, or other small animal) can be affected if heat production exceeds the body’s ability to lose it.

Listeners will come away with clear, practical guidance on:

➡Recognising early and late signs of heatstroke
➡What owners should do immediately at home or in the field
➡Why pre-cooling before transport dramatically improves survival
➡Current best-practice protocols for active cooling in clinic
➡When to start and stop cooling based on body temperature
➡How prevention, timing, and informed decision-making save lives

If you’ve ever wondered when it’s too hot to walk your dog, how heatstroke presents beyond “just panting,” or what the evidence really says about cooling, this episode is essential listening—for veterinary professionals and pet owners alike.
Because when it comes to heatstroke, minutes matter—and myths can kill.

Listen Here on Vet Voices On Air

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MMO1STWzFzyhYiExBp9gN?si=achtyAFISSSt8bwmykDHqg

19/05/2026

Bee and wasp stings can happen to our cats and dogs 🐝

Bees often leave a sting behind in the skin, while wasps can sting multiple times.

If your pet shows signs of swelling or an allergic reaction, contact your vet straight away ⚠️

For more advice on insect bites and stings, visit our Pet Health Hub: https://pdsa.me/gJ5J

[Visual description: Infographic titled 'what to do if your pet is stung by a wasp/bee'. Signs and symptoms: swelling, licking or biting the sting, whining and crying, limping or holding up a paw, drooling, and hives. If your pet is having an allergic reaction, they could have more severe symptoms. If this is the case, get them to your vet as soon as possible. If your pet is showing signs of swelling around the mouth or throat area, see your vet immediately. Never squeeze a sting, as this can make things worse. If your pet's reaction is mild, call your vet for advice and closely monitor them for signs of an allergic reaction.]

18/05/2026

It’s Zen Dogs anniversary of 5 years today!
Thank you all for supporting me and my dream of helping people help their dogs
🐶 🐕 🐾

14/05/2026

📣 We’ve identified blue-green algae at Stackpole Lakes, including Bosherston Lily Ponds, in Pembrokeshire.

🪧 Warning signs have been installed by Pembrokeshire NT/YG Sir Benfro.

⛔ Please ensure you and your pets do not come into contact with the algae or the water, and make sure you maintain basic hand hygiene.

Blue-green algae naturally occurs in inland waters, estuaries and the sea. Blooms can form when their numbers become excessive.

Bloom and scum-forming blue-green algae can produce toxins. These toxins can be very dangerous to animals. In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed.

Pembrokeshire County Council

07/05/2026

30/04/2026

🐶 🏖️ ☀️

🐾 DOG BEACH RESTRICTIONS RETURN IN PEMBROKESHIRE FROM FRIDAY 1 MAY 2026
Dog owners in Pembrokeshire are being reminded that seasonal beach restrictions come back into force from Friday 1 May 2026 and will remain in place until 30 September 2026.

The rules do not mean dogs are banned from every beach. In fact, Pembrokeshire still has more than 50 beaches where dogs are welcome, but some of the county’s busiest bathing beaches have either full bans or partial restrictions during the summer months. Pembrokeshire County Council says the restrictions are in place mainly to protect bathers and beach users during the busy season.

Guide dogs are exempt from the restrictions. Beach users are also advised to check local signs and beach information boards, as some restrictions only apply to certain sections of a beach. In other words, do not just trust your mate who “has always walked the dog there”. That is how you end up having a very awkward chat with enforcement. 🐶

Beaches with a full dog ban from 1 May to 30 September:

• Tenby North Beach
• Tenby Harbour Beach, included as part of the Tenby North Beach restriction
• Whitesands, St Davids

Pembrokeshire County Council’s own list names Tenby North Beach and Whitesands as the full-ban beaches. Visit Pembrokeshire also states that the Tenby North restriction includes Harbour Beach.

Beaches with partial dog restrictions from 1 May to 30 September:

• Amroth beach and promenade
• Broad Haven North
• Dale
• Lydstep
• Newgale beach and promenade
• Poppit Sands
• Saundersfoot beach and promenade
• Tenby Castle Beach and South Beach
• Coppet Hall, voluntary restriction

On these beaches, dogs may still be allowed in certain areas, but not in the restricted zones. The marked areas should be shown on local signs and beach notice boards.

Beaches where dogs are listed as welcome all year round include:

• Aberbach
• Abercastle
• Abereiddy Beach
• Aberfelin
• Abermawr
• Barafundle Bay
• Broad Haven South
• Caerfai Bay
• Ceibwr Bay
• Church Doors Cove
• Cwm yr Eglwys
• Druidston
• East Angle Bay
• Freshwater East
• Freshwater West
• Gelliswick Beach
• Lindsway Bay
• Little Haven
• Manorbier
• Marloes Sands
• Martins Haven
• Monkstone
• Musselwick
• Newport Parrog
• Newport Sands
• Nolton Haven
• Penally
• Porthclais Harbour
• Porthlysgi
• Porthmelgan
• Porthmynawyd
• Porthselau
• Priory Bay
• Pwllgwaelod
• Sandy Haven
• Skrinkle Haven
• Solva Harbour
• St Brides Haven
• Stackpole Quay
• Swanlake Bay
• Traeth Llyfn
• Watwick Bay
• West Angle Bay
• West Dale
• Wisemans Bridge

This list is based on beaches currently listed as dog-friendly all year round by Beaches of Pembrokeshire, while Visit Pembrokeshire and the National Park also confirm that dogs remain welcome on most Pembrokeshire beaches outside the restricted areas.

The simple advice is this: before heading out, check the signs at the beach, keep dogs under control, and clean up after them. Pembrokeshire’s beaches are for everyone, including responsible dog owners, families, swimmers and visitors.

Have your say below: are the summer dog restrictions fair, or should more beaches stay fully dog-friendly all year? 🐕🌊