Keep pets cool as warm weather returns

30.09.11

With many parts of the UK enjoying an unusual spell of warm weather, we are warning pet owners not to leave their pets in sweltering cars.

Temperatures have been about 10 degrees higher than normal in recent days and the Met Office is predicting a top temperature of 28 degrees this Sunday, 2 October.

While people are making the most of the sunshine, pet owners are being warned not to leave their pets to cook in hot cars. 

Calls about animals left in hot cars trebled in past week

In the past week (22 to 29 September ), we have received 170 reports from people worried about animals left in hot cars - three times as many calls as the same week last year when we answered 50 calls.

With the unseasonal warm weather forecast to continue into early October, we are reminding dog owners not to leave their pets in cars, conservatories or caravans while they enjoy the sunshine.

All too often, owners make the mistake of thinking that it is sufficient to leave a bowl of water or a window open for their pet, but this is not enough to protect your pet from heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences. 

Dogs die in hot cars

Our message is: Dogs die in hot cars. Don't leave your dog alone in a car.

As an example, the temperature inside a vehicle can soar to 47°C (117°F) within 60 minutes, even when the outside temperature is just 22°C (72°F).

Even in lower temperatures, if it is sunny or slightly warm outside, a vehicle can become hot very quickly.

And temperatures in air-conditioned cars can reach the same temperature as outside within just five minutes of the air-conditioning being turned off.

The dangers of heatstroke

Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs that are old, young, short-nosed, long-haired, overweight or heavily muscled are more at risk, as well as dogs with certain diseases.

The most obvious signs of heatstroke in dogs are excessive panting and profuse salivation.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, you should act with great urgency. Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.

Move your pet to a cooler spot straight away before ringing your vet for advice. 

Find out more

You can read more about the symptoms of heatstroke in dogs and how to treat it, and get tips for keeping pets cool in warm weather, in our pet care advice page:

Dogs in hot cars