22/05/2026
☀️ Hot weather pet safety ☀️
As temperatures rise this weekend, it’s important to help keep your pets safe and cool 🐶🐱
Heatstroke can happen quickly and can be life-threatening. Pets cannot sweat like humans and rely mainly on panting to cool themselves down.
Signs of heatstroke:
🚨 Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
🚨 Drooling, lethargy or weakness
🚨 Vomiting or diarrhoea
🚨 Wobbliness, collapse or seizures
Higher risk pets include:
⚠️ Flat-faced breeds
⚠️ Elderly or very young pets
⚠️ Overweight pets
⚠️ Thick-coated breeds
⚠️ Pets with heart or breathing problems
If you suspect heatstroke:
💧Get someone to call your vets
💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water under constant supervision
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car
Prevention tips:
✅ Walk dogs early morning or later in the evening
✅ Avoid hot pavements — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws
✅ Make sure pets always have access to fresh water and shade
✅ Use cooling mats, fans or damp towels to help keep them comfortable
✅ Never leave pets in parked cars, even for a few minutes
✅ Take extra care with rabbits, guinea pigs and indoor pets during warm weather
Stay safe and enjoy the sunshine responsibly 🩷