Vet urges pet owners to watch for seven worrying signs during heatwave

A vet has shared the signs and symptoms pet owners need to be on the look out for this summer.

According to the Met Office, parts of the UK could see temperatures over 30 degrees this week, which means many people will be taking precautions against the heat. As the weather heats up, many pets may also struggle with heatstroke – and owners need to be quick to act if they see the signs.

As pets are unable to communicate when they are overheating, or struggling with dehydration, they are at risk of suffering in extreme conditions more than most.

Heatstroke is the most common pet illness during the warmer months and Medivet has highlighted the key symptoms to look out for, which include:

• Excessive panting
• Excessive thirst
• Very red gums
• Rapid heart rate
• Lethargy
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Staggering, weakness or collapsing

To help pet owners keep their furry friends safe and comfortable in the scorching heat, Dr Rhian Littlehales BSc (Hons) BVSc CertAVP PgCert (VBM) MRCVS, Clinical Governance Director at Medivet, is urging owners to follow seven tips to ensure the safety of their pets during the heatwave.

Wet then vet

She said: “If you spot any of the symptoms of heatstroke – remember ‘Wet then Vet.’ It is important to first soak your pet with cool water, although any non-toxic fluids such as cold fizzy drink could be used if it was the only available item, and contact your vet to seek medical advice.”

Adjust your walking routine

The expert added: “It’s important to remember to walk your dog early in the morning, or in the evening when the ground is cooler on their paws and be sure to keep walks shorter than usual, as too much physical exertion can cause your dog to overheat and become dehydrated.

“On extremely hot days, dogs will benefit from skipping a walk completely, as evenings and early mornings are still hot enough to trigger heatstroke.

“If you’re not sure if the pavements are too hot, place the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds. If you struggle to hold it down, it’s too hot to walk your dog.”

Provide access to fresh drinking water

She said: “Dogs and cats need to drink plenty of water during warm weather, and it is essential to provide fresh clean water whether at home, in the garden, or out on walks to prevent dehydration. You can encourage your pet to drink more than usual with running taps, multiple water bowls, or even by purchasing a play pool.

“Proactively soaking your pet, by encouraging them to play in a pool, can also help prevent heatstroke and is often a fun activity for your dog on days when they are missing a walk because of the high temperatures.”

Apply pet friendly suncream

She added: “Like humans, pets can suffer from sunburn if they’re not properly protected, and breeds with short or white hair, or with pink ears are more at risk.

“To help keep them protected, you can purchase animal friendly suncream and apply it to the sensitive areas, including the nose, lips, tips of the ears and belly, but always ensure your pet is in the shade, or the coolest part of the house during the hottest time of the day.”

Book regular grooms

The vet added: “Grooming your pet during the summer can help them regulate their temperature, particularly if they have long or thick fur. Ensure you’re regularly brushing to get rid of shedding fur but take care to never shave your dog as it will make them more susceptible to sunburn.”

Provide shady spots

She said: “If your dog loves to play out in the garden, it’s important they have lots of shaded areas where they can relax away from the sun. Encouraging your pets into the shade is much better than a dog house as it allows air to circulate freely, helping to keep them cool.

“However, you can set up a shaded makeshift den with a water bowl and their favourite toys to encourage them to stay out of the heat but keep an eye on how the sun moves throughout the day to make sure the shade lasts into the afternoon.”

Never leave your dog alone in the car

Finally, she added: “Never leave your dog alone in a car during summer, as it’s one of the leading causes of heatstroke in dogs. Even on a mild 23°C day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 43°C in just 30 minutes and it can happen in as little as 10 minutes when it’s hotter.

“The safest choice is to leave your dog at home, where they have access to shade and fresh water while you’re out.”