Caring for animals in hot weather

In 2018, almost two thirds of vets reported treating animals affected by hot weather and half of vets treated animals for heatstroke. 

Please make sure you know how to keep animals safe in hot weather. 

If you're concerned about an animal always seek speak to a vet as quickly as possible. Heat-related illnesses can be fatal but early intervention can save lives.

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Species-specific advice

Dogs

  • Provide fresh water to drink
  • Provide adequate ventilation
  • Provide adequate shade from the sun
  • Don't exercise dogs in the hottest part of the day, especially if they're older, overweight, flat-faced breeds, or have known heart of lung problems
  • Walk dogs during the early morning or late evening or skip altogether if temperatures are high
  • Never leave dogs in vehicles. If you see a dog in distress inside a hot car call 999
  • Watch out for early signs of heatstroke such as heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red or very pale gums, and lack of coordination
  • If you think your dog has heatstroke or any other heat-related condition is suspected, take your pets to a cool, well-ventilated space, give it small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water to drink, and pour cool water over it to cool it down
  • Call your vet for advice immediately if you're concerned

Cats

  • Provide fresh water to drink
  • Provide adequate ventilation
  • Provide adequate shade from the sun
  • Use a 30 SPF or above pet-safe sunscreen on pale ears and noses
  • Provide a cool mat, fan, or frozen water bottles covered in towels
  • Don't shut cats inside, they tend to be good at staying cool and will seek out a cool area
  • If your cat has thick or long hair consider trimming their coats to make them more comfortable. Talk to your vet or groomer about trimming the hair
  • Make sure they have access to cool areas in their home

Small furries e.g. rabbits, guinea pigs, and rodents

  • Make sure your rabbit has access to a cool places, their environment needs to stay between 18-20C
  • Put a frozen bottle of water wrapped in a towel in their hutch to keep them cool
  • Provide shade and ventilation, move their enclosures out of direct sunlight
  • Keep them out of greenhouses, conservatories, and other buildings that can heat up quickly
  • Never leave them in vehicle 
  • Provide fresh drinking water at all times
  • Consider trimming their coats if they have long hair and groom them regularly to get rid of dead hair. Talk to your vet or groomer about trimming the hair

Cattle

  • Provide constant access to unlimited clean drinking water
  • Provide access to plenty of shade
  • Watch out for signs of heat-related illnesses and speak to a vet immediately if you're concerned
  • Avoid transporting cattle

Pigs

  • Provide shade and access to clean drinking water throughout the day
  • Ensure they have wallows available to help them cool down ​and fill these up with water regularly
  • Pigs are susceptible to sunburn so consider using sunscreen, especially pet pigs
  • Insulated arks may stop outdoor pigs overheating
  • If they collapse due to heat stress, try hosing them down to get them cool quickly. Speak to a vet immediately
  • Avoid transporting pigs

Sheep

  • Newly shorn sheep can be more susceptible to heat stress due to a lack of insulating fleece, so watch them closely
  • Avoid transporting sheep
  • Provide access to clean drinking water at all times

Horses

  • Provide access to unlimited water at all times, e.g. with full troughs
  • Provide access to shade, particularly for elderly horses and foals
  • Horses with pink skin can be prone to sunburn, use a 50 SPF pet-safe sunscreen
  • Avoid riding your horse during the hottest part of the day and avoid strenuous exercise
  • Avoid transporting horses
  • The signs of heat stress include panting, lethargy, high heart rate, eating or drinking less, muscle spasms, and collapse
  • Speak to a vet immediately if you're concerned

Fish, reptiles, and amphibians

  • Keep enclosures out of direct sunlight. Reptiles require specific UV, temperature, and humidity gradients 
  • Change water in fish tanks and top up ponds if they are looking dry
  • Provide access to fresh drinking water at all times, as appropriate 
  • If you're concerned speak to a vet immediately

Birds

  • Keep indoor birds out of direct sunlight 
  • Provide shaded areas
  • Provide access to fresh drinking water at all times
  • Some birds enjoy being misted with cool water
  • If you're concerned speak to a vet immediately

Wildlife

  • Keep bowls of water outside for wildlife