Too Hot for dogs in Kent
Dogs Trust issues a warm weather warning to owners
Last updated 1st May 2025
The Dogs Trust is warning of a serious health risk to pets in the warm weather.
Alarmingly, around 75% of heatstroke cases in dogs are linked to exercise, and around two-thirds of reported heatstroke cases happen following a simple, everyday walk.
The advice is to avoid walking them during the hottest parts of the day and to provide them with plenty of fresh water and shade.
Signs of heatstroke include heavy panting - and dogs may appear lethargic and drowsy.
Owners who suspect their dogs may be experiencing heatstroke are being urged to act immediately.
If your dog has collapsed or is struggling to breathe, you should call your vet as soon as possible.
Charlie Matthias, Senior Veterinary Surgeon, at Dogs Trust, said:
“For many of us, the arrival of warmer weather is a welcome change, but it’s important to remember that it can bring real dangers for our dogs. Even the lovely springtime sunshine we are set to experience this week can cause serious issues – especially for flat-faced breeds or dogs with underlying health conditions.
“The best thing we can do for our pets is to avoid walking them during the hottest parts of the day, provide plenty of fresh water and shade, and always monitor them closely – even during indoor play.
“With the right care, we and our four-legged friends can safely enjoy the warmer weather together.”
The charity also advises to cool first, transport second, and recommends owners take these steps to cool their dog down, before transporting them to a vet:
• Stop them from playing, walking or whatever activity they’re doing
• Move the dog to a shaded and cool area
• Offer them drinking water
• Start cooling them down urgently. For young, conscious, healthy dogs, this means immersing them in cold water (for example, in a paddling pool) if possible, keeping their head above water. Use any water available, provided it is cooler than your dog. If immersion is not possible, continuous dousing with cold water is an alternative.
• For older dogs or dogs with health conditions, spray them with room temperature water, avoiding their face, and combine with air movement from a breeze, fan, or air conditioning. Place ice wrapped in a tea towel (to prevent ice burns) in their groin and armpits.
• Always closely monitor cooling and stop if you notice signs of shivering
• Do not place a wet towel over them as this can raise their temperature.
• While transporting to the vets, keep the air conditioning on in the car or the windows open.
Dogs Trust also urges owners never to leave their dog alone in cars as even just a few minutes in a hot car can prove fatal.
On a 22-degree Celsius day, the temperature inside a car could rise by eleven degrees in just ten minutes and as dogs cannot cool down the same way as humans, the heat can quickly become dangerous for them.
If you see a dog in a car in distress, the charity advises that members of the public call 999.