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Heatwave and pets: keeping dogs and cats safe in extreme heat
Heatwaves are now a regular part of the European summer, and our pets feel the heat far more than we do. Dogs cannot sweat the way we do and cool themselves mainly by panting, while cats hide their distress, which makes heatstroke easy to miss. This page covers the warning signs in both dogs and cats, what to do in an emergency, how to keep them cool, and where to escape the heat with your pet.
⚠️ Warning signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke can develop fast, so learn to recognise the early signs and act before it becomes life-threatening.
🐕 Dogs
- •Heavy, frantic panting that does not settle
- •Excessive drooling or thick, sticky saliva
- •Bright red or, in worse cases, pale gums
- •Vomiting or diarrhoea
- •Weakness, stumbling, confusion or collapse
🐈 Cats
- •Panting or open-mouth breathing, which is abnormal in a cat and a medical emergency
- •Drooling or excessive grooming to try to cool down
- •Lethargy, restlessness or sudden lack of interest in surroundings
- •Stumbling, unsteadiness or wobbling when walking
🚨 Heatstroke is a medical emergency
What to do if your pet overheats
If you suspect heatstroke, act calmly and quickly. The goal is to bring the temperature down gradually while you get veterinary help.
- 1Move your pet straight away to a shaded or cool, well-ventilated spot, away from direct sun.
- 2Offer small amounts of cool water to drink, but never force it and let your pet set the pace.
- 3Pour or sponge cool, not ice-cold, water over the body, paws and belly, and keep air moving with a fan or breeze.
- 4Do not use ice-cold water and do not cover your pet with a soaked towel, as trapped heat can make things worse.
- 5Contact your vet or go to the nearest clinic straight away, even if your pet seems to recover, as internal damage can be hidden.
How to keep dogs and cats cool
🚗 Never leave a pet in a parked car
A parked car heats up dangerously fast, even in the shade with the windows cracked open. Leave your pet at home where it is cooler instead.
🌅 Walk in the early morning or late evening
Avoid the hottest hours of the day. Stick to the cooler early morning and late evening, and keep walks shorter and slower than usual.
🐾 Do the 7-second pavement test
Press the back of your hand to the ground for seven seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws, so wait or find grass.
💧 Fresh water and shade everywhere
Provide plenty of fresh water and shaded spots indoors and out. Carry water on outings so your pet can drink whenever it needs to.
❄️ Cool them down with simple tricks
Use a cooling mat, a damp towel to lie on, or a shallow paddling pool for dogs that enjoy water. Keep rooms ventilated and curtains closed against the sun.
⚠️ Take extra care with high-risk pets
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats, senior, overweight and thick-coated animals struggle most in the heat and need closer watching and gentler activity.
🐱 Cats need cool spots too
Keep rooms ventilated, offer several water spots around the home, and keep cats indoors during peak heat. Panting in a cat is a warning sign, so call your vet at once.
🐾 Which pets are most at risk
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Persian cats are most vulnerable because their short airways make cooling by panting much harder. Senior animals, puppies and kittens, overweight pets, those with thick coats and any pet with heart or breathing problems also overheat more easily and need extra protection.
❄️ Escape the heat: cool dog-friendly destinations
When home gets too hot, the kindest thing for your pet can be to head somewhere cooler together. Here are eight dog-friendly spots where the lakes, coast and mountains keep summer temperatures gentler.
Annecy
French Alps
Its clear alpine lake and mountain air keep things fresher, with shaded shoreline paths and dog-friendly swimming spots.
See destination →Interlaken
Swiss Alps
Set between two cool alpine lakes and ringed by high peaks, it stays comfortable in summer with shaded valley walks for dogs.
See destination →Lucerne
Central Switzerland
The lake and surrounding mountains temper the summer heat, and shaded waterfront promenades make easy walks with a dog.
See destination →Brest
Brittany
On the Atlantic tip of Brittany, sea breezes keep summers mild, with breezy coastal paths and beaches that welcome dogs out of season.
See destination →Vannes
Brittany
On the sheltered Gulf of Morbihan, the sea air softens the summer heat, with gentle dog-friendly coastal and harbour walks.
See destination →Arcachon
Atlantic coast, France
Atlantic breezes and pine forests around the bay keep it cooler than inland, with shaded trails and dog-welcoming beaches off-season.
See destination →La Rochelle
Atlantic coast, France
The ocean tempers the summer heat on this stretch of the Atlantic coast, with breezy harbour walks and seafront paths ideal for dogs.
See destination →Bergen
Norwegian fjords
Surrounded by fjords and mountains, summers here stay cool and fresh, with green hillside trails that dogs love to explore.
See destination →What temperature is too hot for a dog or cat?
There is no single safe number, as it depends on humidity, breed, age and activity. As a rule, the risk rises sharply once it is warm, and high-risk pets such as flat-faced, senior, overweight or thick-coated animals can struggle even at moderate temperatures, so judge by your pet, not the thermometer alone.
Can I still travel with my pet during a heatwave?
Yes, but plan around the heat. Travel during the cooler parts of the day, never leave your pet in a parked car, take plenty of water and breaks, and choose a cooler destination if you can. If your pet is very young, old or high-risk, it may be safer to wait until the heatwave passes.
Are flat-faced breeds really more at risk?
Yes. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs and Persian cats, have shortened airways that make it much harder to cool down by panting. They overheat faster and more dangerously than other pets, so they need extra shade, rest and close watching in hot weather.