Companion Animals

Companion Animal Welfare and Dog Heat Stroke Prevention

Heat stroke kills hundreds of dogs annually in the UK alone, making prevention one of the most important summer welfare priorities.

Key Facts

Dogs cannot sweat effectively and rely on panting, making them highly vulnerable to heat
Body temperature above 41 degrees C causes organ damage within minutes
Brachycephalic breeds are at highest risk due to impaired airway function
Cars parked in sun reach 50 degrees C within 20 minutes even on mild days
Heatstroke causes death in 50% of affected dogs without immediate cooling and veterinary care

Welfare Considerations

Heatstroke is an entirely preventable cause of acute suffering and death. Awareness of risk and simple precautions protect dogs from this avoidable emergency.

What You Can Do

Never leave dogs in parked cars in warm weather
Walk dogs in cool morning and evening hours during hot weather
Know the signs of heatstroke and act immediately if suspected