20/01/2026
☀️🐾🔥 EXTREME HEAT WARNING FOR PETS! ☀️🐾🔥
With soaring temperatures hitting Melbourne this week, our pets are at increased risk of heat stress and heat stroke. This can happen in any unshaded area - even your own backyard!!
Please take extra care during hot weather - it can make a lifesaving difference to your pet and wildlife.
💚 Ways you can protect your pets during extreme heat include:
- Under no circumstances should you leave your pets in the car. (Temperatures inside a car during any heat can increase extremely quickly and become life threatening in just minutes.)
- Check surfaces before heading outside. A great guideline is: If the ground is too hot for your bare feet, it is too hot for their paws.
- Use of fans, air-conditioning and cooling mats are an excellent way to help our furry family members keep cool. You can also utilise ice packs and frozen water bottles in the enclosures of your Rabbits, Guinea pigs and Birds!
- Make sure fresh, cool water is always available. If your pet enjoys ice cubes, you can add these into fresh water also! (Don’t forget about wildlife by leaving out bowls of water in shaded areas!)
- Keep pets indoors and limit activity during the hottest parts of the day and where possible - avoid walks altogether! (Especially for those flat faced breeds and for pets with heart or breathing conditions.)
🩺 Common warning signs of heat stress include heavy panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting or collapse. These are emergencies and your pet should see at a vet asap.
If you are concerned please call us on 5246 9000 or contact your closest emergency or 24 hour clinic.
