A–Z topic · H
Hot weather pet safety
Quick answer
In UK heatwaves, walk dogs at dawn or dusk, **never leave pets in cars**, and keep rabbits and guinea pigs in shade. Heatstroke is an emergency for every species. Check is it too hot to walk your dog? before a midday outing. Keep dogs out of water with blue-green algae — it can be fatal.
Key takeaways
- Never leave pets in cars. Walk dogs at dawn or dusk; skip hot tarmac. Heatstroke is an emergency for every species.
- Rabbits and guinea pigs overheat in sunlit hutches; check for flystrike twice daily in warm weather.
- Blue-green algae can kill dogs within hours — no swimming or drinking from pea-soup water.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are signs of heatstroke in dogs?
- Heavy panting, drooling, collapse, vomiting, bright red gums, or uncoordinated movement. Heatstroke is an emergency — cool with tepid (not ice-cold) water and contact a vet immediately.
- Can I leave my dog in a car on a warm day?
- Never. UK car interiors reach lethal temperatures within minutes even with windows cracked. Call 999 if you see a dog in distress in a hot car.
- Are rabbits at risk in summer?
- Yes. Rabbits overheat above roughly 25°C and are at high risk of flystrike if rear fur becomes soiled and damp. Move hutches to shade, provide frozen water bottles, and check twice daily.