Move walks to cooler hours.
Choose early morning or evening, reduce intensity and provide shade and water. If the ground is uncomfortably hot against your hand, choose a cooler route or wait. Flat-faced, older, very young, overweight, unwell and thick-coated dogs may be at greater risk.
Never leave a dog in a hot car.
Shade, an open window or a short stop does not make a parked vehicle safe. Plan journeys around breaks, water and a cool destination.
Suspect heatstroke?
Heavy panting, breathing difficulty, excessive drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting, collapse or seizures require urgent action. Move the dog into shade or a cool room and start cooling immediately with cold tap water, keeping water away from the nose and mouth. Do not cover the dog with wet towels. Contact a vet urgently and arrange transport; continue cooling safely during the journey where possible. Do not force drinking. Follow the veterinary team’s instructions.
Premiers secours en français
En cas de coup de chaleur présumé, placez le chien à l’ombre ou dans une pièce fraîche et commencez immédiatement à le refroidir avec de l’eau froide du robinet, en évitant le nez et la bouche. Ne le couvrez pas de serviettes mouillées. Contactez un vétérinaire en urgence et organisez le transport ; poursuivez le refroidissement pendant le trajet si cela peut se faire sans danger. Ne forcez pas le chien à boire. Suivez les instructions de l’équipe vétérinaire.
Sources & further reading
PDSA: Heatstroke in dogs
Blue Cross: Keeping dogs cool
RSPCA: Dogs and hot walks