10/07/2025
‼️ We Cannot Stress Just How Important It Is To Keep Your Pets Safe In Warm Weather ‼️
Heatstroke is a life threatening condition that can develop if an animal becomes too hot. This can cause seizures, organ damage, internal bleeding, coma and even death.
Dogs are particularly at risk of developing heat stroke on warm days when they are outside exercising and playing. It can also be caused by being in a warm room without proper ventilation, being kept somewhere hot such as a car, conservatory or kennel. Any dog can develop heatstroke, but flat-faced, overweight, giant-breed, thick-coated, very old and very young dogs are most at risk.
Some Tips for helping dogs stay cool in warm weather:
1. Only walk when it is cool, early morning and evening. Do NOT walk any dog during the hottest hours of the day (12pm-4pm).
2. Light exercise only. When playing with your dog allow lots of time for breaks in shade, provide water, and allow yourdog to cool down.
3. Provide lots of shade and plenty of water. Make “ice pops” for them.
4. No unnecessary travel. NEVER EVER leave dogs in cars.
5. Be extra cautious with
Flat-faced
Overweight
Giant breeds
Thick-coated
Very young
Very old dogs
These dogs are less tolerant of the heat than other dogs.
How hot is too hot?
• 16-19 C Generally safe to exercise at all times of days.
Dogs most at risk of heat stroke should only be lightly exercised in the cool parts of the days (early morning, late evening).
• 20-23 C No dog should be exercised rigorously. All exercise should take place during cool parts of the day. Play time should be short and have lots of time to cool down.
• 24-27 C Extreme caution should be taken. Exercise should only be extremely light and take place when the sun has set. Focus on giving your dog cooling treats, toys and plenty of opportunity to spend time in shade.
• 28-31 C Dangerous for all, but life threatening for larger breeds and puppies as well as dogs who are flat faced or obese. Stay cool and in the shade with lots of water.
• 32 C Heat stroke is a major risk for all.
