Keeping pets safe in the heat

☀️ Keeping Your Pets Safe in a Heatwave – Advice from NCAR 🐶🐱🐰

When temperatures rise across North Wales and the UK, it’s essential to make sure your furry friends stay cool, safe, and happy. At North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR), the wellbeing of all animals is at the heart of everything we do — and that includes helping you keep your pets safe during extreme heat.

Here’s how to protect dogs, cats, and rabbits in a heatwave:

Caring for Dogs in Hot Weather

Dogs can overheat very quickly, and heatstroke can be fatal. Follow these top tips:

• Walk early or late: Avoid walking during the heat of the day. Stick to early morning or after sunset when it’s cooler.
• Never leave dogs in cars – even for a few minutes. Temperatures soar dangerously fast.
• Provide plenty of water: Always have fresh, cool water available indoors and outdoors.
• Shade is essential: Ensure your dog has access to shaded areas if they’re outside.
• Watch for signs of heatstroke: Excessive panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, or collapse. Seek urgent veterinary help if you notice any symptoms.
• Cooling options: Use damp towels underneath the pet (Because the towel absorbs heat, it must be removed or re-wetted regularly), cooling mats, or paddling pools (supervised) to help your dog stay cool.

Helping Cats Stay Cool in the Heat

Cats often find shady spots themselves, but they still need help staying comfortable:

• Fresh water in multiple spots: Place bowls around the house and garden. Try adding ice cubes!
• Keep them indoors during peak heat: Especially between 11am–3pm when the sun is strongest.
• Brush regularly: Removing excess fur helps long-haired cats regulate their temperature.
• Create cool zones: Open windows (safely), close curtains, and offer tiled floors or damp towels to lie on.
• Watch for signs of heat stress: Lethargy, panting (unusual in cats), and drooling are warning signs.

Looking After Rabbits During a Heatwave

Rabbits are very vulnerable to heatstroke, especially those kept outside. Here’s how to help:

• Move hutches to shade: Make sure they are out of direct sunlight all day long.
• Use frozen water bottles: Wrap them in a towel and place them in the hutch for your rabbit to lie next to.
• Keep hutches well ventilated: Use fans near (but not directly blowing on) hutches or move them indoors if possible.
• Regularly check for flystrike: Heat increases the risk. Keep bottoms clean and check twice daily.
• Hydration is key: Make sure water bottles are working properly and refilled regularly.

General Heatwave Tips for All Pets

• Never leave animals in parked cars, greenhouses, or conservatories.
• Avoid unnecessary travel with pets during peak temperatures.
• Monitor elderly, very young, or flat-faced breeds extra carefully – they are most at risk.

do you know the signs of heatstroke in dogs?

Heatstroke can happen fast — even in the shade — and it can be fatal.

Watch for:

Excessive panting

Drooling or a foamy mouth

Staggering or seeming “drunk”

Restlessness or agitation

Lethargy or drowsiness

Vomiting or diarrhoea

Blank staring or frequent blinking

If you spot these signs:

Move them somewhere cool

Offer small amounts of water

Use cool (not ice-cold) water on their tummy, neck & inner thighs

Use a fan if possible

Call your vet immediately

Prevention is key:

Plenty of fresh water

Shade and cool spaces

Frozen treats & cooling mats

Walk only during cooler parts of the day

Take extra care with puppies, seniors, flat-faced and long-haired dogs

At NCAR, we care deeply about your pets’ health and happiness. Please share this advice with friends and family to help keep all animals safe during this scorching weather.

If you’re ever in doubt or concerned about your pet in the heat, contact your vet immediately.

Follow North Clwyd Animal Rescue on Facebook for more helpful pet care tips and updates.

Stay safe and keep your pets cool!