Dogs Die On Hot Walks

Dogs are 10 times more likely to suffer heat-related illnesses from exercising in hot weather than from overheating in cars. Learn how to keep dogs safe and help us raise awareness of this deadly problem.

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When dogs get hot, they can cool down by panting, drinking more, seeking out shade or jumping into water. But if they can鈥檛 do these things, or if it鈥檚 too hot, their body temperature can spike and lead to heat-related illnesses and even death.

Which dogs are most at risk of overheating?

Dogs with existing health conditions, flat-faced breeds and those with thick coats are more at risk of overheating and could even struggle in relatively cool spring weather after a cold winter:

Dogs with health conditions: As dogs rely on their respiratory system to keep cool, unfit and overweight dogs and those with heart or respiratory disease are more likely to heat up faster and take longer to cool down.
Flat-faced breeds: A found that brachycephalic dogs such as pugs and bulldogs are at higher risk of developing heatstroke, as panting is less effective with a shorter snout.
Dogs with thick coats: Dogs lose heat through their bodies, which is harder if they have thick coats or are wearing doggy clothes.

A woman walking a dog along a shady path next to a river .

Dogs should have regular exercise and involving them in your outings and family fun is expected, but if the weather is warm, it can be too much for our dogs

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Join our life-saving 鈥楥ool Dog Summer鈥� workshop

Learn to keep your pup safe from summer heat. Spot heatstroke signs, provide shade, water, and more. Be a part of our mission to save canine lives.

Dates: 17 April, 15 May, 19 June, 17 July and 7 August 7 at 1-2 pm

Book your place

How to prevent dogs from overheating

Take these simple steps to keep your dog cool on hot days and help us raise awareness to save the lives of dogs who give us so much.

Prepare

Before going out for the day, check that you鈥檒l be able to provide:

Shade: If you鈥檙e taking your dog to an outdoor event, do your research to make sure that dogs are allowed and that you鈥檒l be able to keep them cool in shady spots.
Water: Pack a portable water dispenser and offer your dog small amounts of water every 15-20 minutes. Don鈥檛 let them drink water while they鈥檙e panting heavily, as this can cause bloating and vomiting.
Cool ground to walk on: For example, grass. Before walking your dog on a hard surface, such as the pavement, check the ground temperature with the back of your hand to avoid burned paws.