26/05/2026
🥵🐾 HEAT STROKE🐾🥵
REMEMBER! NO dog has ever died from missing a walk!! Every year we see at least one dog die from heat stroke, this is incredibly traumatic for the pet, owner and the vet. Please let this year be different!
Whilst puppies, elderly dogs and, of course, brachycephalic (flat faced) dogs (such as Frenchies, Pugs and English Bulldogs) are most at risk ALL pets can succumb to the effects of heat stroke.
Please remember a few key things:
🔥 COOLING YOUR PET - The Myth that “actively cooling your pet is counterproductive” is totally unfounded and untrue. If your pet gets hot, use cold water in a bath, paddling pool or via a hose to cool them down. Take extreme care if using wet towels - make sure you replace these regularly to avoid the insulating effect (a wet towel will warm quickly and trap heat between it and your pet), if in doubt do not use them and simply wet your dog thoroughly to cool them down before transporting them to your vet.
🔥 TRANSPORTING YOUR PET TO THE VET - If your pet is suffering from signs of heat stroke cool your pet (as above) before transporting them. Transport them in a vehicle that has been pre-cooled and ensure that cool air is actively flowing over your pet as you drive (using air-con or open windows).
🔥 THE LEMON JUICE MYTH - If your pet is actively suffering from heat stroke please don’t waste your time trying to sq**rt lemon juice down their throat. Please actively cool your pet and contact us immediately.
🔥 HOT CARS - Pets DIE in hot cars, and in only very short periods of time. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR. Be aware that even moving cars with the air conditioning on or windows open still present a risk as the dog may be coping with higher temperatures in the back than you are experiencing in the driver’s seat. Try to avoid long journeys where possible but if necessary ensure you stop regularly and offer your pet plenty of water.
🔥 WALKING - Walking in the cool of the early morning or late evening is MUCH safer but do remember that it can still be incredibly hot. If in doubt, don’t walk!
🔥 PAVEMENTS/PATIO/DECKING - These all get hot in the sun, so keep walks on grass as much as possible and take care if your pet is sunbathing. Keep your pets in the shade and don’t let them spend too long in the sun… the sun worshippers are most at risk as they won’t move even if they get too hot!!
🔥 CONSERVATORY/UTILITY ROOMS - If your pet usually stays in a single room when you are out please ensure they always have access to shade throughout the entire day and provide plenty of ventilation and water.
🔥 FUN WAYS OF KEEPING COOL - Supply your pet with cooling or wet blankets to lie on, add ice cubes to their water bowl, refrigerate softer treats before giving them, provide shaded paddling pools.
Signs of heat stroke include excessive panting, hypersalivation, vomiting / diarrhoea, drowsiness, confusion, seizuring and collapse. If you notice any of these signs please get in touch urgently so we can help immediately! 🥵
