How to look after your pet as the weather gets hot Picture: Facebook collects
Dogs like Rubi love the sun – but there are ways to keep them safe (Picture: Georgia Diebelius)

The warning that dogs die in hot cars is one many of us are very familiar with – but what about in hot weather?

There have sadly been a number of shocking incidents involving pets struggling to cope in the summer heat, including some sad stories of pets dying from overheating and dehydration.

Met Office forecaster Steven Keates told Metro.co.uk that much of England will see sunny spells and long periods of sunshine, with highs of 25C and a reasonable chance of it even reaching 26C later this week.

‘Heading in to the weekend, it won’t be as hot but will still be fairly warm,’ she said.

But there are steps pet owners can take to keep their animals safe as the mercury rises.

Dr Anne Carter, lecturer in animal biology, and Emily Hall, senior lecturer in veterinary nursing at Nottingham Trent University explain that dogs rely on panting as their main method of cooling – but it only controls body temperature up to a point.

As temperatures and humidity rise, panting is no longer able to cool them and it can lead to potentially fatal heatstroke.

Here is their handy advice on keeping your pets safe.

How to look after your pet as the weather gets hot Picture: Leigh Weston METROGRAB
Avoid dog walking in the hottest part of the day (Picture: Leigh Weston)

Don’t leave animals in cars

Even in the shade, car temperatures can increase quickly and as the sun moves and shade disappears the internal car temperature will rapidly increase.

Leaving windows partially open has little effect on car temperature, the lecturers warn.

Instead, if you are stuck in traffic or travelling, have the air conditioning on to keep the car cool and make sure windows are shaded from direct sunlight.

Ideally, leave your dog at home in hot weather – but conservatories and greenhouses can have similar affects to cars.

There are laws that penalise those who leave their pets inside cars on hot days.

How to look after your pet as the weather gets hot Picture: Rebecca Thick Facebook collects
This pooch has the right idea (Picture: Rebecca Thick)

Avoid the hottest part of the day

Just like advice to sunbathers, it’s best for pets not to stay outside in the hottest part of the day.

Take dogs for walks in cooler parts of the day in the early morning or evening and avoid any stenuous exercise in the heat.

Anne and Emily also say you should make sure you supervise activity as pets themselves won’t know when to stop in the sun.

A British Short Hair cat jumps over a hedge in a Zen Garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, where a decorative stone pagoda can be seen on the background.
Cats need shade and water too (Picture: Getty)

Shade and water

Pets need access to cool water and shade to keep their temperature down.

If your pet is unfit, obese or suffers from a respiratory disorder, you should be particularly careful exercising in hot or humid conditions.

Even in winter, dogs can be at risk of heatstroke with temperatures getting warmer than expected.

The continuing changeable weather also makes it challenging to acclimatise to the heat, making sudden, unseasonal hot spells even more dangerous.

How to look after your pet as the weather gets hot Picture: Claire Rattenberry METROGRAB
(Picture: Claire Rattenberry)

What to do if you suspect your pet has heatstroke

Signs: Rapid, heavy breathing, lack of energy, decreased urine production, bulging eyes, and the tongue appearing long and dark red.

Vomiting and/or diarrhoea can follow.

If you think your dog has heatstroke, get it to a vet as quickly as possible.

Avoid using ice or very cold water as this can cause blood vessels on the skin surface to constrict and reduce effective cooling.

Dr Anne Carter and vet Emily Hall say:

It can also cause shivering which can create more heat from the muscles.

Key areas to cool are the neck, abdomen and inner thighs with lukewarm water or water-soaked towels.

It is important that you do not over cool your dog, as this can lead to shock – a lack of blood supply to vital organs – so using lukewarm water is important.

Out and about, cool surfaces, shade, air conditioning in cars and fans can also aid cooling.

Even if the dog is cooled, veterinary treatment is still key to allow more targeted treatment and monitoring to occur.

Heatstroke has been reported as fatal in 39-50% of dogs but those surviving more than 24 hours have a good chance of making a full recovery.