Keeping Dogs and Cats Cool in Hot Weather

Dogs and cats cope with heat very differently from people. They have far fewer sweat glands, found mainly on the paw pads, and rely heavily on panting to cool down. On hot days that can quickly stop being enough, and heatstroke can develop fast. The good news is that most heat problems are preventable with some simple planning.

Who is most at risk?

Any pet can overheat, but some need extra care in warm weather:

• Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs, bulldogs, Persian and some other flat-faced cats, whose airways make panting less effective
• Puppies, kittens and senior pets
• Overweight pets
• Dogs with thick or double coats
• Pets with heart, breathing or other health conditions
• Very active dogs who do not know when to stop, such as keen ball chasers

Walks: timing and the pavement test

On hot days, walk dogs early in the morning or late in the evening, when it is coolest. Choose shaded routes, grass and woodland over open tarmac. Shorten walks and cut out intense exercise like ball throwing. On very hot days, missing a walk and doing some gentle brain games indoors instead is a perfectly good choice.

Tarmac, pavements and sand can get far hotter than the air in direct sun and can burn paw pads. Try the pavement test: press the back of your hand on the ground for about seven seconds. If it is too hot for you to keep it there comfortably, it is too hot for paws.

Keeping cool at home

• Several bowls of fresh water around the house, topped up often; some pets like a few ice cubes added
• Shady, well-ventilated rest spots indoors and outdoors
• Curtains or blinds closed on sunny sides of the house during the hottest hours
• A damp towel or a cooling mat to lie on (supervise chewers)
• A shallow paddling pool in the shade for dogs who enjoy water
• Frozen treats made from plain, dog-safe ingredients or frozen wet food for enrichment
• Fans that circulate air, placed so pets can move away if they want
• Pet-safe sunscreen for pets with pale or thin fur on ears and noses, if your vet recommends it
• Regular brushing to remove loose undercoat

Cats tend to be good at finding cool spots on their own — a tiled bathroom floor, the shade under a bed, a spot in front of a fan — so make sure internal doors are open and those places are reachable. Grooming a long-haired cat gently to remove loose, matted fur helps air move through the coat. Check that open windows have secure screens, because cats lounging on a hot sill can fall, and never shut a cat in a sunny room.

Many owners wonder about shaving double-coated dogs. A double coat offers some insulation and sun protection, so shaving is not always helpful and can affect how the coat grows back. Ask your vet or a groomer before clipping.

Cars, conservatories and caravans

Never leave a pet in a parked car on a warm day, even with windows open or parked in shade. The temperature inside can climb dangerously within minutes. The same applies to conservatories, caravans, greenhouses and sheds, which can heat up far more than the rest of the house. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, contact the local emergency services for advice.

Recognising heatstroke

Cats often hide when they feel unwell, and panting in a cat is unusual and always worth taking seriously.

What to do if you suspect heatstroke

Heatstroke is an emergency. Contact a vet immediately and follow their advice. While you do:

1. Move your pet to a cool, shaded or air-conditioned place.
2. Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body, particularly the neck, belly and between the back legs, and let air flow over them with a fan or open window. Current emergency guidance generally favours starting cooling quickly with whatever cool water is available.
3. Offer small amounts of cool water to drink if they are alert, but do not force it.
4. Keep cooling on the way to the vet, for example with the air conditioning on.

Even if your pet seems to recover, they should still be checked by a vet, as heatstroke can cause internal problems that are not immediately obvious.