Top tips to prevent heatstroke

It’s not just flat-faced dogs that are susceptible to the heat. ANY pet can overheat and end up suffering from heatstroke. Heatstroke (also known as heat exhaustion or heat stress), can occur very rapidly and can even be fatal.

It’s crucial to remember that our pets can’t perspire all over as humans do and they only produce only a tiny amount of sweat through their footpads. They cool themselves down via panting but sometimes this isn’t enough and they start to overheat.

The important point is that it doesn’t necessarily need to be really hot or humid for heat exhaustion to occur and you need to be able to recognise the signs early and know what to do.

Signs your pet might be overheating

– Excessive panting

– Noisy panting

– Drooling

– Collapse

If you think your pet might be overheating, bring your pet to us immediately (or seek emergency veterinary care). It’s best to place your pet in front of the air-conditioner or a fan while you are in the car. You can also place wet towels on hairless parts of the body such as the groins or pads of the paws.

Our top tips for preventing heatstroke

– Never leave your pet in the car – the internal temperature of a car can become like an oven in minutes (even on a mild day)

– Avoid exercising your pet in the heat of the day and skip altogether on extremely hot days

– If your pet has a thick coat, think about clipping it to help them stay cool

– Always provide plenty of drinking water in multiple bowls

– Make sure your pet has access to shade or even better airflow from a fan (and/or air-conditioning – this is particularly important for Brachycephalic breeds)

If you think your pet might be struggling in the heat you should seek veterinary advice immediately.