4 top tips for keeping cats and dogs cool in the heatwave

The experts also shared symptoms of heatstroke to watch out for.

The UK has seen soaring temperatures recently, with Scotland seeing a peak of 28.9C in Drumnadrochit on the shore of Loch Ness on June 20.

Charterhall in the Scottish Borders and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire hit 28.7C, while Edinburgh reached 28.4C, ahead of Glasgow on 27.3C on Scotland’s hottest day of the year so far, according to the BBC.

Down south, many spots have seen temperatures soar past 30C, with highs of 35C expected this week. Yesterday, Monday, June 30, Heathrow hit 33.1C, a huge jump from Scotland’s ‘Hawaii of the North’, the Isle of Tiree, which topped out at just 13.7C.

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But with piping temperatures across the country, our pets can seriously suffer. In fact, one in seven dogs treated for heatstroke will die, so it’s vital to keep your cat or dog as cool as possible in high temperatures.

With this in mind, experts at Dog Friendly Retreats and Healthy Pets have shared their top tips for keeping your furry friends cool in the summer heat.

Josh Williams, founder of Dog Friendly Retreats, says: “Many [pet] owners, especially on busy summer days are surprised at how quickly heatstroke can develop, and by the time symptoms are visible, it’s often already serious. Prevention is far safer and more effective than treatment.”

Here is their advice for keeping both dogs and cats cool in the heat to prevent the development of heatstroke.

Avoid walking dogs at the hottest points of the day

To reduce the risk of heatstroke in dogs, owners are strongly advised to avoid walking dogs during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 11am and 4pm.

Early morning or evening walks are safer and dogs should never be left in parked cars or enclosed spaces, even with windows cracked, as internal temperatures can rise to fatal levels within minutes.

Outdoor cats should also be kept inside during these hottest hours.

Use the 7 second rule for hot patios and pavements

Garden surfaces such as patios, decking, and artificial grass can also become dangerously hot and burn a dog or cat’s paw pads.

A useful test is to press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws.

Keep pets hydrated and shaded

Pets should have continuous access to clean, fresh water and shaded areas throughout the day. Cooling mats, damp towels, and fans can all help regulate their body temperature.

Those shopping for a cooling mat may consider the pecute Dog Cooling Mat which comes in a variety of sizes and is widely popular with shoppers. The mats currently have over 17,800 ratings and the medium edition (65cm by 50cm) is currently retailing for £25.42.

Alternatively, pet owners may consider the Rosewood Chillax cool Pad for £20 on Argos.

Keep their food and water chilled

Adding ice cubes to your pet’s water can help keep it cooler for longer during a heatwave. If your dog or cat eats wet food, you can also refrigerate it before their mealtimes.

Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs and cats

Early symptoms of heatstroke in cats include panting, restlessness, agitation, and pacing.

In dogs, symptoms can include:

Excessive panting and droolingBright red or pale gumsVomiting or diarrhoeaDisorientation or confusionStaggering, shaking or collapseSeizures in extreme cases

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