More dogs were experiencing heat illness during heatwaves.

Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have suggested that attention to human heat-health alerts could reduce the number of dogs experiencing heat illness.

Statistics revealed that five times more dogs experienced heatstroke on days where a human heat-health alert had been issued.

The project saw the researchers, supported by Dogs Trust, examine 167,751 anonymised veterinary records of UK emergency care in 2022. It investigated 384 cases which were linked to heatstroke in dogs.

During the 40 days of extreme heat, across five heatwave periods in 2022, 59.64 per cent of the year’s heatstroke cases occurred. The most common causes were exercise (51 per cent of cases), environment (31 per cent) and hot vehicles (12 per cent).

Due to this correlation, pet owners are asked to take extra caution when a heat alert is issued.

The records also highlighted that brachycephalic dogs were four times more likely to develop heatstroke than a normal-featured dog. Nearly half of all the heatstroke cases were experienced by a flat-faced breed.

The seven breeds identified as most at risk included the pug, the English bulldog and the Pomeranian.

Of the 384 heatstroke cases, 26.6 per cent of the dogs died.

Although heatstroke is largely preventable, if left untreated, the resulting hyperthermia can be dangerous to dogs. Prolonged heat can lead to systemic inflammation, organ dysfunction and eventually death.

Dog owners are asked to remain aware of the early signs of over-heating, so they can begin to cool their pet as soon as possible.

The signs include excessive panting, reluctance to move, drooling, red gums/tongue, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The RVC advises that dog owners ‘cool first, transport second’ should be their immediate first aid response to overheating. They should encourage their pet to take sips of water and pour water over their pet’s body (not head), before moving them to a cooler area.

Sian Beard, MRes student at RVC and the research lead, said: “As heatwaves increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, we need to prevent our dogs from suffering heatstroke. Heatstroke is often a preventable condition, and we urge all dog owners, particularly those who own a flat-faced or double-coated dog breed, to be vigilant.

“We recommend avoiding known triggers such as exercise with pets over the summer period, especially during heat-health alerts.”

The full study can be found in the journal Vet Record.

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