With the UK in the grips of an intense heatwave, Petgevity's Dr Nicole Olewinski (BVSc MRCVS) urges dog and cat owners to spot the subtle early signs of heatstroke – and act fast to keep pets safe.Heatstroke isn't just "being too hot", it's when a pet's cooling mechanisms fail, driving body temperature dangerously high and damaging organs.
Don't wait for severe signs like confusion, collapse, seizures, or relentless vomiting. In dogs, early signs include lying flat-out and panting rapidly, sometimes moving briefly to a cooler spot before flopping again. Restlessness, drooling, red, sticky gums, weakness, or diarrhoea are also red flags.
Move them out of the heat, offer sips of cool water, and use fans or wet towels to lie on. You can also try pouring cool water over their body (avoiding the head to prevent inhalation). The 5 to 10 minutes while you call your vet gives you a chance to see how effective cooling is.
What you can do for your dog to help prevent heatstroke
Most pets are good at keeping themselves comfortable, but our plans can get in the way: midday walks, car trips with no air con, or noisy BBQs where they can't rest or retreat are a big no.
Give them choices: shaded paddling pools, frozen lick mats, shady spots, maybe a fan or damp towel to lie on. Very young, old, unwell, or flat-faced pets need extra care; keep a close eye on how much they drink and provide plenty of cool fresh water.
Even if your dog insists it's time for their regular walk at lunchtime, skip it, they'll survive – your play and cuddle quota will just go up. It's best to do walks before 9am and after 6pm, and if that isn't achievable it's safer not to walk at all.
Pavements can burn paws. If you can't hold your hand down for 5 to 10 seconds, it's too hot for them. And never leave any pet in a parked car, even "just for a minute". Your pet may be anxious if left at home, but heatstroke can be fatal. Remember: just because you can handle the heat doesn't mean your pet can.
More advice for looking after dogs in a heatwave
Cooling vests or mats can help, but only if your pet is happy using them – inducing stress by forcing them to do something they don't want to can make overheating worse.
Long-coated pets may welcome a belly trim so that cool floors or damp towels feel even better. Outdoor cats have a knack for disappearing just when the heat peaks, so keep them in if a scorcher's coming (and avoid greenhouse or shed lock-ins).
While we don't want sunbathing in a heatwave, pale noses, ears, and bellies can burn, so pet-safe sunscreen is useful for fair-skinned friends.
To find out more about Dr Nicole Olewinski - BVSc MRCVS, visit: Petgevity
