Dog Welfare in Hot Weather and Heat Stress

Dogs are vulnerable to heat stress and heatstroke due to their limited thermoregulatory capacity, with brachycephalic breeds, overweight dogs, and older dogs at particular risk.

Key Facts

Dogs regulate temperature primarily through panting, which is less efficient than sweating in humans
Core body temperature above 41 degrees C causes heat stroke with rapid organ failure
Brachycephalic dogs (bulldogs, pugs, French bulldogs) have severely impaired panting ability, greatly increasing heat risk
An estimated 7 dogs die in hot cars in the UK each week during summer months
Exercise in hot weather significantly increases heat stroke risk, particularly for predisposed breeds
Heat stroke is survivable with rapid cooling and veterinary treatment but causes long-term organ damage in survivors

Welfare Considerations

Heat stress and heat stroke in dogs are almost entirely preventable through owner awareness and behaviour change. The continued prevalence of dogs left in hot cars represents a preventable welfare crisis, as does over-exercising susceptible dogs in warm weather. Brachycephalic dog owners in particular require specific guidance about heat risk management. Public education campaigns and enforcement of animal cruelty laws for hot car incidents are both important interventions.

What You Can Do

Never leave dogs in cars in warm weather - temperatures can become fatal within minutes
Avoid exercising dogs in the hottest parts of the day during summer
Learn to recognise heat stroke signs including excessive panting, drooling, and collapse
Keep fresh cool water available at all times in warm weather
If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, call 999 and record the time and temperature