Five Things Every Pet Owner Should Do During a Heatwave

When a heatwave hits, it can be dangerous for everyone — including your pets. Every year, animals get sick and even die because of extreme heat. Experts say pet owners need to know what to do before, during, and after a heatwave to keep their animals safe. Here are five key steps that can make a big difference.

Cars heat up very fast, even when the windows are cracked open. This is dangerous whether the car is parked or stuck in traffic. Air conditioning can help, but you should never leave your pet alone in the car — air conditioning can stop working without warning. If you are travelling, make sure cool air can reach where your pet is sitting, especially if they are in the back of the vehicle.

Exercising a pet during a heatwave can be deadly. Dogs cool themselves by panting, which is much less effective than the way humans sweat to stay cool. This means dogs can overheat quickly when they run or play in hot, humid weather. Flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs, as well as very young, very old, or overweight pets, are at extra risk. Walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler, and always stick to shaded routes with water nearby.

Pets need fresh, clean water and a cool, shaded place to rest at all times during a heatwave. Animals drink more water when it is hot, so you can add extra water to their food to help keep them hydrated. Dropping ice cubes into their water bowl can keep it cooler for longer. Small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds are especially at risk because their cages and hutches heat up quickly. Move them to a shaded spot and keep them out of direct sunlight.

It is important to spot the signs that your pet is overheating before the situation becomes life-threatening. Early warning signs include restlessness, moving more slowly than usual, or not wanting to keep exercising. As things get worse, your pet may pant heavily, drool, have glassy eyes, or walk in an unsteady way. In dogs, the tongue may spread out wide and flat, almost like a spatula. Catching these signs early gives your pet a much better chance of recovery.

In 2022, one in four dogs that went to an emergency vet with heat illness died. So if you think your pet is overheating, you need to act right away. Start by pouring cool water all over their body, and place ice packs against the inside of their thighs. Do not wrap them in wet towels, since this can trap heat — instead, lay them on a cold, wet towel and keep wetting their fur. Then get them to a vet as quickly as possible in a vehicle that has already been cooled down.