Dog owners warned of 'silent killer' as pets could be put at risk in boiling weather

RSPCA expert gives tips on keeping pets cool in the heat

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The warning comes as the UK recorded the hottest day of the year so far on Wednesday.

And the weather is forecast to get even hotter with the mercury expected to reach a sizzling 34C on Friday.

"While the majority would never leave our dogs in a car on a hot day, or even take our dogs for a really long walk in the heat, many people may still be putting their dogs at risk even on a short walk, or taking them to places such as fields and beaches with little or no shade.

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"We have long-campaigned that dogs die in hot cars, but this year we’re highlighting that dogs die on hot walks, too.

"The message remains very simple – never leave a dog in a hot car because ‘not long’ is too long, and when it comes to walks, 'if in doubt, don’t go out.'"

He said: “Heat-related illness can lead to organ failure, brain damage and ultimately death.

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"Most people know that dogs die in hot cars, but the reality is that more than 10 times as many dogs need veterinary treatment for heat-related illness following exercise as for being overheated in cars.

“It can take weeks for a dog to acclimatise to hot weather, so after a spell of cold weather, periods of hot weather can be particularly dangerous.”

Every summer the RSPCA receives hundreds of reports of dogs left in sweltering cars, over exercised in the heat and with burns on their paws from pavements.

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The charity advises walking early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, or even skipping a walk.

Older dogs, those with thick fur, flat-faced breeds and those who already have health conditions can be more at risk.

Owners should check the pavement is not too hot by testing if they can comfortably hold their hand on the ground for five seconds.

Other tips from the RSPCA to keep dogs cool include having a paddling pool, using a damp towel for them to lie on and adding ice cubes to their water.

Be realistic. Unrealistic goals will only prevent you from growing. There are two common mistakes a dog owner can make that will slam the brakes hard on any potential progress you might be hoping for. First, the expectations we place on our dogs and ourselves. The misguided belief that your dog “should” be performing or responding at a certain predetermined level. Another mistake many owners make is having unrealistic assumptions. Many of us assume that our dog understands what we want and that he knows what we’re asking of him. As if that wasn’t bad enough, some of us assume that the dogs failure to perform means he’s either rebelling, stubborn, or just plain stupid.

The charity is also urging people to be aware of the signs of heat-related illness so they can seek veterinary care if necessary including excessive panting, unusual breathing noises, lethargy, stumbling, and a blue or grey tinge to the gums or tongue.

Forecasters are expecting an even higher 29C in the capital on Thursday.

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