12/08/2026
☀ ❗HEATWAVE WARNING, CARE FOR PETS❗ ☀
Please take extra care over the next few days to help keep your pets cool in the heatwave. If you suspect your pet is showing any signs of heatstroke, first try your best to move them to a cool, shady area. Wet the coat with cold tap water and use a fan to help encourage the cooling process - then contact your vet. DO NOT WRAP YOUR PET IN WET TOWELS. This advice is outdated and has proven to trap heat instead of allowing heat to escape.
💧 Ensure your pet always has access to fresh water.
🐶 Avoid exercise during the warmest part of the day. The coolest time to walk your dog is either early morning or late in the evening.
🏎️ NEVER leave your pet in a parked car. Even with the windows left open, the inside temperature can quickly rise up to an unbearable 47 C. Unlike us, dogs can’t sweat through their skin to help cool down and so instead pant and release heat through the pads on their feet.
😋 Freeze a treat into an ice cube to provide a fun and cool refreshment! Try this with cat nip too - perfect for our feline friends!
🖐️ Our pet's paws are delicate and can burn on hot pavements. As a general rule; place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you are not able to hold it there for more than five seconds - it’s too hot for your pet's paws too!
🌡️There are lots of variations of cooling mats you can buy. To help provide a little relief for your cat from the hot weather, try dampening a tea towel and gently stroke over your cat's face and coat.
🐰 If your rabbit lives in an outdoor hutch, try moving to a more shadier spot. Do a spot check on your hutch twice daily, removing any soiled bedding to keep flies away. A daily check of your rabbits bottom is also a good idea to ensure they are kept clean. This is especially important in warm weather due to the risk of fly strike.
Short-nosed breeds such as Pugs, Boxers or Bulldogs are particularly susceptible to heatstroke but also pets that are overweight, have a medical condition or our senior pets, so please take extra care to help keep your pets cool!
