Dogs are at severe risk of hyperthermia in hot weather, particularly when left in vehicles or exercised in high temperatures, with preventable deaths occurring every summer.
Hot weather dog welfare is a preventable welfare crisis that claims lives every summer through a combination of owner ignorance and poor judgment. Dogs cannot communicate their thermal distress clearly until collapse, making owner knowledge of risk factors essential. The most common serious heat events are cars (even briefly) and vigorous exercise in hot weather. The welfare interventions are simple and completely effective: never leave dogs in cars in warm weather, exercise in early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, provide shade and water, and know the signs of heat stroke for immediate response. Public campaigns have improved awareness but deaths and serious injuries continue annually.