With temperatures soaring this week, it’s not only humans that will feel the heat. The UK is in the middle of its fourth heatwave of the summer, with highs of 34C in the East of England.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health warnings across England, and people are urged to be careful. And it’s important for pet owners to be careful too, as dogs who get too hot are at risk of developing heatstroke. This happens when a dog’s body can’t cope with the internal rise in temperature, and it can be a problem as they can only cool down on areas not covered by fur, such as their paws and nose. If their body temperature rises for too long, and it’s not dealt with, it can damage their tissues and organs, making them unwell. In severe cases, it can even cause their organs to fail, which can lead to death.
One thing you can do is making sure you’re not taking them out for walks in the blistering heat. Dave, who works at Bath Vets shared, via the The Pet Health Club TikTok page, some important information for UK pets about when it’s too hot to walk your dog.
According to the vet, temperatures around “5 to 15 degrees Celsius are perfect” for taking your dog out for a walk. If it’s 16C to 19C outside, heatstroke is “unlikely”, but when they “creep up to 20 to 23 degrees,” there’s a potential risk of heatstroke. Dave added: “Some dogs might handle this heat better than others. If you have a young, or older dog, dogs with health issues or flat-faced dogs, then avoid long wants and high energy activity,” he added. You should also make sure you take breaks in the shade and that your dog has access to water.
When the temperatures start hitting between 24 to 27 degrees, Dave says most dogs will start to feel “uncomfortable”, so you might want to stick to walks in the early morning or late evening. However, it’s not “an emergency straight away”, but staying out too long in this kind of heat “can lead to overheating and exhaustion”.
However, when temperatures hit between 28 and 31 degrees, Dave warns it’s “dangerous for all dogs”, even “those who seem to handle the heat”, but especially flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs and Pugs, older dogs, and those with health issues.
In this case, the safest thing is to “stay indoors, skip outdoor activities and make sure your dog has a cool, shaded spot to rest”. If temperatures go above 32C, Dave says it’s “hazardous for all dogs” as there’s a “high risk of life threatening heatstroke”. “Remember, a dog has never died from skipping a walk, but they have died from heatstroke, don’t walk your dog in the heat,” he added.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
According to the Kennel Club, the signs of heatstroke include:
- Heavy panting, even when not exercising
- Breathing problems
- Tiredness
- Stiffness or unwillingness to move
- Dribbling
- Confusion
- Being sick
- Upset stomach
- Not walking in a straight line
- Collapse
- Fitting
If you suspect your dog may have heatstroke you should immediately call your vet while trying to cool them down. You can move them out of the heat and into the shade, lay them down on a cool floor, and offer them small amounts of water to drink.
