Seasonal Advice
Year-round guidance for weather, holidays, and events that affect your pet's safety.
Heatstroke
Dogs and cats can't sweat like we do. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can kill within minutes.
Signs to watch for
- • Excessive panting or drooling
- • Bright red or pale gums
- • Lethargy, stumbling, or collapse
- • Vomiting or diarrhoea
- • Body temperature above 40°C (104°F)
What to do
- • Move to a cool, shaded area immediately.
- • Wet the coat with cool (not ice-cold) water — especially belly, armpits, and paws.
- • Offer small amounts of water to drink.
- • Get to a vet immediately — heatstroke can cause organ failure even after temperature drops.
Avoid
Never use ice-cold water or ice — it constricts blood vessels and traps heat. Never leave a pet in a car, even with windows open.
Walking Temperatures
Pavement can be 20–30°C hotter than the air temperature. The 'five-second rule' — hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.
What to do
- • Walk early morning or late evening when it's cooler.
- • Stick to grass, not tarmac or sand.
- • If in doubt, skip the walk — dogs cope better with a missed walk than burnt paws.
- • Flat-faced breeds (Frenchies, Pugs), seniors, and overweight dogs overheat fastest.
Avoid
Don't exercise vigorously in temperatures above 25°C — especially in humid conditions.
Hydration
Pets need constant access to fresh water in summer. Dehydration can happen quickly, especially in heat or after exercise.
What to do
- • Provide multiple water bowls in shaded spots around the house and garden.
- • Add ice cubes to water bowls to keep it cool.
- • Carry water and a collapsible bowl on walks.
- • Consider a shallow paddling pool for dogs to cool off.
- • Watch for signs: sunken eyes, dry gums, lethargy, skin tenting.
Avoid
Don't force water into a struggling pet's mouth — it can cause aspiration.