WHY DOGS AND CATS ARE FEELING THE HEAT?

As summers get hotter, we’re all having to change our behaviour and be careful not to dehydrate, get over exposed to the sun and take care while exercising. But how does warmer weather affect our pets? 

In fact, the dangers posed by increased temperature to humans are very similar to those faced by the smallest members of our households, and need to be taken just as seriously.

Heat exhaustion can kill 

Animals have different strategies for coping with the heat, and in normal circumstances these can be very effective.  

Dogs naturally regulate their body temperature through panting. It’s effective below 32⁰C, but in hotter conditions, the mechanism fails, and dogs become sensitive to heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.  

Heat exhaustion and stroke are life-threatening conditions that require prompt veterinary attention. 

The problem is even more severe for flat-faced cats who find breathing in normal circumstances to be hard enough. As temperatures soar, we need to keep a much closer eye on their health. 

Dangers of direct heat

Heat has more direct effects on dogs, too. Exercising in hot weather can increase the chances of reaching a point of heat exhaustion, particularly for dogs who have underlying health conditions and flat-faced breeds. Plus, research shows that the most common cause of heat-related deaths is, in fact, over-exertion, which can be made worse by hotter days. 

When concrete pavements are directly exposed to sunlight, they absorb heat and slowly release it. If a pet walks on such a heat-releasing surface, their paws will likely get burnt. Burn recoveries are long and painful, and best avoided.

Is staying indoors the best option? 

All in all, pets love spending time outdoors, but if being outside poses risks like heat strokes and burns, it is safer to remain indoors. This is enough to trigger behavioural changes such as restlessness and anxiety, less time outdoors also means an increased risk for obesity¹; so it’s advisable to consult with your veterinary practitioner about new activity alternatives that can substitute outdoor fun and games. For example, you could set up scent games, scavenger hunts, and, for the most active dog breeds, you could even consider a treadmill. 

Changing routines to beat the heat 

Fortunately, by making simple changes in our pets’ routines, we can significantly decrease the impact of seasonal change on the pets’ behaviours.  

If you are unsure how to protect your beloved pet from seasonal change-related risks, do not hesitate to seek advice from aveterinary practitioner or behaviourist. 

You can also keep yourself informed with our newsletter, which covers a wide range of issues that are increasingly affecting our cats’ and dogs’ health. 

1. Protopopova, A., Ly, L. H., Eagan, B. H., & Brown, K. M. (2021). Climate change and companion animals: identifying links and opportunities for mitigation and adaptation strategies. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 61 (1), 166-181.