Why dogs and cats are feeling the heat 

As summers get hotter, we’re all having to change our behaviour and be careful not to dehydrate, get over exposed to the sun and take care while exercising. But how does warmer weather affect our pets? 

In fact, the dangers posed by increased temperature to humans are very similar to those faced by the smallest members of our households, and need to be taken just as seriously.

Animals have different strategies for coping with the heat, and in normal circumstances these can be very effective.

Dogs naturally regulate their body temperature through panting. It’s effective below 32⁰C, but in hotter conditions, the mechanism fails, and dogs become sensitive to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.   

Heat exhaustion and stroke are life-threatening conditions that require prompt veterinary attention.  

The problem is even more severe for flat-faced dogs and cats who find breathing in normal circumstances to be hard enough. As temperatures soar, we need to keep a much closer eye on their health. 

Heat has more direct effects on dogs, too. Exercising in hot weather can increase the chances of reaching a point of heat exhaustion, particularly for dogs who have underlying health conditions and flat-faced breeds. Plus, research shows that the most common cause of heat-related deaths is, in fact, over-exertion, which can be made worse by hotter days. 

When concrete pavements are directly exposed to sunlight, they absorb heat and slowly release it. If a pet walks on such a heat-releasing surface, their paws will likely get burnt. Recovery from burns is long and painful so let’s avoid them.

All in all, pets love spending time outdoors, but if being outside poses risks like heat strokes and burns, it is safer to remain indoors. With the risk of boredom, and potentially obesity, find different ways to stimulate your pet during these warm periods, and reduce their food ration a bit to compensate for the reduction in exercise. 

Fortunately, by making simple changes in our pets’ routines, we can significantly decrease the impact of seasonal change on the pets’ behaviours.  
If you are unsure how to protect your beloved pet from seasonal change-related risks, do not hesitate to seek advice from a veterinary professional or behaviourist. 

You can also keep yourself informed with our newsletter, which covers a wide range of issues that are increasingly affecting our cats’ and dogs’ health.