Doing this could be extremely dangerous to your dog
Dog owners have been reminded of an important rule in the heatwave, which could prove deadly if ignored. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) urged people not to use damp towels to try to cool down their pooch.
This can “trap heat” and worsen their condition. The Met Office recently issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday.
Highs of 37C are forecast for southern England and 35C in southeast Wales today (June 23). The peak of the heatwave is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to at least 39C and there remains a chance of this being exceeded in places.
By Friday conditions will be less hot, with highs of 32C forecast across eastern areas. The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a series of heat health alerts, which highlight the potential health and social care impacts.
As pointed out by the RSPCA, hot weather can also impact your dog. On its website, the charity said: “When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke.
“This can be fatal, so you need to act fast to reduce their body temperature first, then get help.” As part of the hot weather advice on its website, it said: “Don’t use damp towels
“Don’t place damp towels directly over the dog’s body, as this can trap heat and worsen their condition. You can place wet or damp towels beneath the dog – remembering to re-wet the towel frequently – but never over their body.”
Signs of heatstroke
Look out for the following symptoms of heatstroke in dogs as listed by the RSPCA:
- Collapse: heat exhaustion, when severe, could cause the dog to collapse
- Confusion or disorientation: dehydration might make the dog lightheaded or dizzy, affecting their movements
- Dehydration: this can present as a dry nose, sunken eyes, heavy panting, infrequent urination, and tiredness
- Drooling: if the dog is drooling more often, and it’s thicker and stickier, this could be a symptom of heatstroke
- Increased heart rate: check a dog’s heartbeat by placing your hand on their chest, just behind their front leg’s elbow. A fast pulse could signal overheating (remember that the dog’s size affects their resting heart rate: big dogs have slower pulses, whereas small dogs have quicker pulses)
- Muscle spasms: these heat cramps are often associated with dehydration, and might appear as shivering and shaking despite the high temperatures
- Noisy breathing: breathing noisily or faster than normal, especially if the dog is a flat-faced breed, is a sign of overheating
- Panting: dogs cool down by panting, so the more they pant, the hotter they are
- Red gums and tongue: whilst this is often a symptom of a dental problem, when coupled with panting and heavy breathing, red gums can occur when a dog is overheating
- Seizures: heatstroke, especially in dogs with epilepsy, can trigger seizures and loss of consciousness
- Vomiting and diarrhoea: stool that’s softer than normal can be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Stool and diarrhoea that contains blood is a sign that the heatstroke has become more severe
- Weakness and lethargy: the dog might sleep more, have trouble standing or walking, or generally seem more sluggish with their movements
What to do
The RSPCA said: “The best thing to do when your dog is overheating is cool first, transport second. This means acting fast to stop further heating, cooling the dog down, and then taking them to your nearest vet.”
To stop further heating you should:
- Stop exercise or movement
- Remove the dog from hot vehicles or buildings
- Get the dog out of the sun, away from anything that’s exposing them to heat, and into shade – or create shade where possible
To cool the dog you should:
- Pour any available water – that’s cooler than the dog’s temperature – over their body, but avoid their head (the dog will already be struggling to breathe, so pouring water over their head could worsen this)
- Submerge their body in cool water if available (such as a paddling pool or stream, as long as the water temperature is cooler than the dog) – don’t attempt this on an unconscious dog, a dog with health conditions, or an elderly dog – for these dogs, spray them with room temperature water
- Create a breeze by fanning the dog
The RSPCA added:”Once the dog’s temperature has cooled, take them to your nearest vet. Ensure they’re travelling in a cooled, well-ventilated vehicle (with air-con on or windows open), to continue lowering their temperature on the journey, providing water where possible. Call ahead to inform your vet about the urgency of the situation.”
For more information, visit the RSPCA website here.
