Dog owners urged to follow 'wet then examine' heatwave advice this week – and avoiding it could be fatal

With reports of a mini heatwave coming next week, many of us will be looking for ways to cool down.

But it’s important not to forget our four-legged friends when it’s hot.

Dogs can easily overheat in hot weather, our vet reveals how to keep them coolCredits: Getty

Dogs can quickly overheat in the sun, whether out for a walk or simply sunbathing in the garden.

David Harris, head of veterinary content at VetHelpDirect.com, revealed that there is one simple rule all owners should follow if they are concerned their dog is overheating.

If you think your dog is too hot, no matter what breed, there is one simple thing to remember: get him wet and then take him to the vet.

Pour cool or cold water over them to cool them down and call your vet as soon as possible for advice.

Water immersion, or evaporative cooling, is the best way to cool your dog down quickly.

For young, healthy dogs, putting them directly into a cold water bath is a good way to quickly lower their temperature.

For older dogs or dogs with an underlying health condition, it is best to pour water at a cooler temperature than your dog’s.

This should be combined with “evaporative cooling measures,” such as placing them in front of a fan or air conditioner.

Only once your dog has been actively cooled can you take him to the vet.

Dogs don’t just die in hot cars: they can die in the open from heatstroke, especially if they belong to a high-risk breed.

Weekend weather across the country

Tips to prevent heat stroke:

Make sure your pet always has access to a cool, shaded area, both indoors and outdoors.
Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Take a bottle of water with you on your walks.
Remember, hot pavement can burn paws! If it’s too hot to hold your hand on it, it’s too hot for your pet to walk on.
Never leave pets in a car or in a warm room (e.g. a conservatory).
Make sure your pet always has clean drinking water available, adding ice can help keep it cool.
Make sure your pet is groomed regularly if this is recommended for their breed.

THE BREEDS MOST SENSITIVE TO OVERHEATING

In general, there are six groups of dogs that have the most difficulty in hot weather…

First, those with underlying health conditions. Dogs can’t sweat like we can, so they rely primarily on panting to cool down. However, if they have airway or lung problems, or are suffering from fluid balance or hydration issues, this is more difficult and their ability to lose heat is reduced, meaning they are at a higher risk of heatstroke.

Overweight animals They have more difficulty ventilating and their body temperature rises faster than you would expect for a thin dog.

Very young dogs or very old dogs are also at increased risk of heatstroke, and these owners need to be even more careful in hot weather.

Dogs with very thick coats, adapted to a colder climateDogs like the Husky or Malamute, and even the Chow Chow, were bred to retain heat. However, this comes at the cost of being less resistant to extreme heat. Their thick double coats are very effective at retaining heat, which is like going outside in July wearing a fur coat and thermal underwear: they get very hot, very quickly. This problem can be alleviated by clipping (NOT shaving), but the coat can take a long time to grow back. In a heatwave, however, if you are struggling to keep your dog cool, I personally prefer to have a dog with a thinner, livelier coat than one with a luxurious, morgue-like coat.

Short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and French bulldogsThese dogs were bred to look “cute”, with large eyes and a flat face. Unfortunately, the result was a narrowing of the airways and a profusion of soft tissue in the nasal cavities and pharynx – we call this brachycephalic airway syndrome, and it profoundly affects their ability to pant and lose heat. Like a dog with any other respiratory disease, most members of these breeds are very prone to heatstroke, and since they are often overweight as well, they are at very high risk in hot weather.