Vet shares 3 hacks to keep your pet cool during a heatwave

While we may be suffering in the heat as temperatures soar around the country, our furry friends are likely feeling it worse.

With a natural desire to be outdoors, it can feel impossible to keep your dog or cat cool and comfortable during a heatwave.

However, it's essential we do all we can to keep our pets safe to avoid serious illnesses like heat exhaustion and stroke and, unfortunately, death.

"Not all breeds are equally at risk," Alex Crow, an RCVS licensed veterinary surgeon, explains.

"Flat-faced dogs, like Frenchies, Bulldogs and Pugs, as well as overweight dogs, are a lot more at risk than other breeds as they can’t regulate temperature as well," he says, advising these owners to be "extra cautious."

Like dogs, Crow — who shares his animal advice via his Instagram @alex_thevet — warns that "flat-faced cats are more prone to overheating, and worth keeping indoors."

But when it comes to keeping them cool, Crow says, "Whatever works for humans works for animals."

Today, Crow has shared his top three hacks for keeping pets cool, as well as how to spot the first signs of heat exhaustion and what to do.

Dr. Crow's top 3 hacks to keep pets cool:

Crow says there are some obvious 'don'ts' when it comes to caring for animals in hot weather that can very quickly lead to overheating.

"Never put a dog in a car," he says. "Dogs can die in just five minutes if they're left in a hot car."

If you're following all the safety guidance, but still want to know ways to keep them cool, follow Crow's top tips.

1. Freezing food and water fountains

"Adding water to dog food and freezing it is an effective way to keep pets cool," he says.

"It's a great enrichment for dogs who are bored inside, and it can work really well."

As the dogs lick the ice, it can cool them down.

"Freezing pieces of cucumber or carrot also works," he said.

"It keeps them occupied and cools them down."

Crow also recommends leaving plenty of water available, and for cats, water fountains.

"Cats have evolved from desert animals and they avoid stagnant water," he explains. "They're more likely to drink if the water is fresh and moving."

2. Keep them inside

"Even on mildly warm days, it's surprising how hot asphalt can get," Crow says.

"During the summer, I see lots of dogs with ulcerated sore paws."

For this reason, Crow advises you to always do the 'sidewalk test.'

"Hold the back of your hand against the asphalt. If it's too hot to keep your hand there for seven seconds, it's too hot for a dog's paws," he says.

"If you want to walk your dog, go very early in the morning or late in the evening."

"A dog isn't going to die from missing a walk. But it could die on a walk."

Crow does say it's generally okay to let your cat out during a heatwave.

"Cats are pretty good at self-regulating body temperature," Crow says.

"They don’t tend to exert themselves as much as dogs, and they’re better at finding shade and cold spots."

"As long as they have an easy way in and out of the house, they should be fine going outside during a heatwave."

3. Invest in a cooling mat

"Cooling mats are actually really good," Crow says.

While they won't 'feel' cool to touch, they are made of very conductive materials that help heat transfer.

"They work by absorbing heat and dissipating it."

"Animals will naturally be drawn to them," he explains.

"When an animal lies on one, it absorbs the heat and evaporates it into the air."

Leaving one or two in your pet's favorite cool spots in the house will help keep them comfortable.

Signs your pet is overheating

"The most obvious sign your pet is overheating is panting very heavily and frantically," Crow says, "especially if they haven’t been exerting themselves."

"Dogs don't sweat through their fur or skin like humans, so panting is a dog's way of regulating body temperature."

"If their gums look particularly red or dark in color is a sign they are overheating," the vet says. "This means blood to the extremities has increased to dissipate the heat."

"More severe signs that your pet has overheated include wobbliness, collapsing and vomiting — a hot dog will feel nauseous and sick."

"Drooling, too, can be a sign of heat exhaustion."

"Open-mouth breathing is always a red flag in cats," he explains. And while he notes that this could be a sign of another respiratory condition, it is often one of the first signs of overheating in cats.

What to do if your pet is overheating

"If your dog is overheating, it’s one of the few emergencies where you don’t want to get to the vet straight away, but actually cool them down first," Crow advises.

He says you must get them as cool as possible as fast as possible and advises owners to "pour cold water over them and get them as wet as possible."

"The temperature of the water doesn't matter too much, but obviously you don't want to shock them with very cold water."

And the same applies for cats.

"Cats typically aren't fond of having water poured over them, but if it means you'll save a life, you've got to do it."

Alternatively, Crow says: "Dampening a towel and putting it over them can help, but make sure you re-dampen the towel enough to avoid trapping the heat on their body."