‘I’m a vet and you shouldn’t take your dog out in heatwave’

With temperatures set to hit 40 degrees in some areas of the UK this week, many of us will be doing everything we can to keep cool. But it’s not just people who will be struggling – our furry friends will be feeling the heat too. For dogs, hot weather can be particularly difficult, as they can’t regulate their body temperature as well as we can – and being covered in fur can make things even more uncomfortable.

With the Met Office issuing a red weather warning for later this week, saying 50 areas of the UK could see temperatures hit 40 degrees in some areas on Wednesday and Thursday, a vet has taken to social media to explain how best to look after our faithful companions as the mercury rises. Ben Simpson-Vernon, known as Ben the Vet on TikTok, where he has more than 220,00 followers, explained more on the social media platform.

“This video is a gentle reminder from a vet for those people who choose to walk their dog during the hottest part of the day during a heatwave,” he said. “Especially if that dog is a French bulldog, a pug, or other flat-faced breed of dog.

“Your dog is not a small human. By this I mean, just because you might be able to cope with the heat, it doesn’t mean your dog, who is a different species, is able to.

“When you, as a human, start to overheat, one of the ways you lose heat is to sweat. Your dog cannot sweat, apart from from the underside of their paws, which is not very helpful.

“The primary way they cool themselves down is by panting, and this works by fluid evaporating from tissues in their throat and nose. Your dog’s panting is not as effective as your sweating because the surface area for heat exchange in their nose and throat is much lower than your whole body surface area that you use when you sweat.

“Pugs and French bulldogs have very little nose and throat, it’s basically like they’re operating a broken aircon unit. I would also remember your dog is permanently wearing a coat that they cannot remove.”

Concluding, Ben said: “A dog never died from missing a walk. If in doubt, especially if your dog is elderly, overweight, has health problems, or a flattened face, just don’t go out.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who gets upset seeing a pug panting away on a walk in 30-degree heat. Remember, heatstroke can be fatal – and simply thinking your dog can cope with the same level of heat you can is where I think it often goes wrong.”

When is it too hot to take a dog for a walk?

With temperatures set to hit 40 degrees in many areas this week, dog owners may be wondering when it is too hot to take their pets for a walk. According to the Royal Kennel Club, whether or not it is safe to take them out depends on each individual dog.

The organisation said: “Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 15-25 degrees, but this is very much dependent on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise they’re engaging in, health and fitness. Some dogs may struggle to maintain a low body temperature, even in lower temperatures.”

It is best to keep walks to early in the morning and late in the evening when it is cooler, and to avoid pavements where possible, as these can become particularly hot. You should always take water with you so your dog can have a drink too.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs can include:

• Heavy panting, even when not exercising
• Breathing problems, particularly in flat-faced dogs
• Tiredness
• Stiffness or an unwillingness to move
• Dribbling
• Confusion
• Being sick, can be bloody
• Upset stomach, can be bloody
• Not walking in a straight line
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