Hot Weather and Summer Safety for Dogs and Cats

The Pavement Test

1. Find the surface you'll walk on. Asphalt, pavement and car parks in full sun get hottest.
2. Press the back of your hand on it. Thin skin feels heat faster than a palm.
3. Hold it there. A widely shared rule of thumb, attributed to Dogs Trust: if you can't keep your hand there for seven seconds, it's too hot for paws.
4. Change the plan. Grass, shade or a cooler time of day fixes it.

Our pavement heat test walks through the check in more detail.

Timing Walks Around the Heat

Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, which works less well in humid air, so a muggy day can be riskier than the thermometer suggests. Walk in the early morning or after sunset, once the ground has cooled, and keep outings shorter on hot days. On the very hottest days, a skipped walk and some indoor games are fine.

Some dogs need extra care:

• Flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs (see French Bulldog care) can't pant as efficiently, even in mild warmth.
• Heavy-coated and giant breeds; see our Newfoundland and Bernese guide.
• Older, overweight or very young dogs, and any dog with a heart or breathing condition.

Heatstroke Is an Emergency

Heavy, frantic panting, drooling, very red or pale gums, wobbling, vomiting or collapse after time in the heat mean your pet needs a vet now. Heatstroke can harm the body quickly, and how a pet looks early on doesn't tell you how much damage is happening.

1. Move your pet to shade or a cool room.
2. Cool first: soak your pet with cool or cold water, or immerse its body in it, and use a fan if you have one. Don't drape it in wet towels, which can trap heat.
3. Then transport: phone your vet or an emergency clinic and go, with the car's air conditioning on.

Heatstroke needs a vet, not a home remedy: see your vet or a pet supply store with trained staff for advice before hot weather arrives. Ask your vet now how best to cool your pet in an emergency.

Never in a Parked Car

A parked car heats up far faster than most people expect, even on days that only feel warm, and cracking a window barely helps. No errand is short enough. Leave your pet at home, or have someone stay with the car with the air conditioning running.

If you see a dog in distress in a parked car, tell store staff and call the emergency number used where you are, or the local police or animal welfare service. Rules on what bystanders may do differ by country and state.

Swimming and Open Water

A dog that paddles happily in a calm pool can struggle in a lake, river or the sea, where currents, drop-offs and waves take far more stamina. Not every dog is a natural swimmer: short-legged and barrel-chested dogs work much harder to stay afloat.

Use a well-fitted life jacket on boats and in moving water, make sure there is an easy way out, and watch your dog the whole time it is in or near water.

Blue-Green Algae: Stay Out

Warm, still water can grow blue-green algae blooms in summer, seen as scum, green or blue-green streaks, or a paint-like film. Some blooms are highly toxic to pets. A pet doesn't have to drink the water: wading in it and licking its coat afterward is enough.

Keep pets out of any water that looks like this, and check for local warning signs. If your pet has been in or near suspect water, rinse it with clean water and call your vet straight away.

Barbecues, Picnics and Stings

A cookout keeps food within nose range all afternoon while guests are distracted. Some favorites are on our toxic foods list, and corn cobs, skewers and cooked bones can choke or block a pet. Ask guests not to share, and put a lid on the bin.

Curious noses and paws find bees and wasps. A single sting with a little local swelling is usually less urgent, but swelling of the face, mouth or throat, or any trouble breathing, needs a vet straight away.

Outdoor cats, rabbits and guinea pigs need shade, airflow and fresh water all day too; move hutches out of direct sun on hot days.