I’m a vet nurse – 5 common signs your dog has heatstroke

As the heat wave has hit, there is a lot of talk about keeping safe and cool. But for every dog owner, the worry extends to taking care of their beloved companion, and your dog’s health should by no means be left to chance. Veterinary nurse Zoe Blake, a Qualified Vet Nurse & Behavioural Specialist with more than 30 years’ experience working with animals, shared advice on keeping dogs safe in hot weather as UK temperatures break records.

Zoe said: “Working as a veterinary nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous heatstroke can be for dogs during warmer weather. Many cases are entirely preventable with early awareness and simple precautions, which is why recognising the signs and acting quickly is so important.”

Zoe partnered with MoneySuperMarket, which developed a heat risk tool evaluating how safe it is to walk dogs during the summer months across different UK counties, using specific criteria.

It focuses on the latest weather data from the official UK Met Office weather records collected from weather stations across the country. For each day, it gathered temperature readings, wind speed and humidity levels.

Kara Gammell, Pet Insurance Expert at MoneySuperMarket, added: “Heatstroke is a medical emergency and can, in some cases, become fatal in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. If a dog’s temperature rises beyond control, it can cause major and often irreversible organ damage.

“Always think: cool first, transport second. That means pouring cool, room-temperature water over the dog before taking them to the nearest vet for emergency treatment. Seeking veterinary care as quickly as possible is crucial, as acting fast can save their life.”