11/07/2026
With four Whippets and two cats, it’s been really interesting watching how each of them copes with this hot weather.
The one handling the heat the best? Surprisingly, my long-haired cat! He’s quite happily spending time outside in a spot of partial shade, looking completely comfortable.
It just goes to show that a long coat isn’t simply there to keep an animal warm in winter. A healthy, well-maintained coat acts as insulation, helping to regulate body temperature in both hot and cold weather. It helps protect the skin from direct sunlight and reduces the amount of heat reaching the body.
It’s something to think about before having your pet clipped very short during the summer. While removing matted or excessively thick fur is important, taking too much coat away can actually make it harder for some pets to regulate their body temperature and can increase their risk of sunburn.
🐾 Some simple ways to help keep your dogs and cats cool:
• Always provide plenty of fresh, cool drinking water.
• Ensure they have access to shade throughout the day.
• Walk dogs very early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are much lower.
• Never force exercise in hot weather, it’s far better to skip a walk than risk heatstroke.
• Use cooling mats or allow them to paddle safely in cool water if they enjoy it.
• Keep indoor areas well ventilated with fans or open windows where it’s safe to do so.
• Brush regularly to remove loose undercoat and improve airflow through the coat, rather than shaving it off.
• Trim the fur between your dog’s paw pads if it’s becoming long. Dogs release heat through their paw pads, so keeping the hair between them neat can help improve contact with cooler surfaces and make it easier for the paws to do their job.
• Remember that cats often choose the coolest places themselves, so let them move between shade and indoors if they wish.
Every pet is different. Older animals, flat-faced breeds, overweight pets and those with underlying health conditions are much more vulnerable to heat, so keep a close eye on them.
Sometimes nature has already designed our pets better than we realise. Their coat is often part of their own built-in temperature control system.
