Ever tried walking outside in the blistering sun with bare feet and a fur jacket? That’s exactly what your dog experiences when you take them for a walk in the heat of the day.

Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat through their bodies to cool themselves down and can’t regulate their temperature as easily. 

Certain dog breeds are particularly susceptible to heatstroke and should be given extra care during hot weather.

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers are at a higher risk due to their short snouts, which make it harder for them to pant efficiently and cool down.

It isn’t uncommon to see a surge in claims related to excessive heat as summer sets in, said PD Insurance COO Michelle Le Long.

"We find heat-related issues in pets very distressing, as they cause significant suffering for both the animals and their owners. Heatstroke in dogs can even be fatal, which makes these situations especially heartbreaking because they are often preventable.

“Being aware of their discomfort and potential health problems that come with heat is the first step towards avoiding unpleasant – and expensive – incidences of heatstroke, dehydration, sunburn and heat exhaustion.

"High humidity can worsen heat stress for pets, even when the temperature doesn’t seem too high. Keeping pets in low-humidity environments whenever possible can make a big difference in helping them stay cool and comfortable."

Paws for thought: Your pet completely relies on you to keep them cool

Prevention is better than cure.

“Nobody wants a pet suffering, or holidays ruined unnecessarily,” noted Le Long, “And we all know the old saying ‘too much of a good thing is bad’. The same goes for excessive heat and sunshine.”

Healthy Pets NZ’s Dr Cath Watson, who provides expert advice towards illness prevention, said being aware of how pets respond to heat is the first and most essential step.

“Generally, temperatures up to around 20C are comfortable for most cats and dogs; going over that can put them at higher risk of heatstroke,” she explained.

Dogs, especially, don’t cope well with excessive heat. Lacking the ability to sweat as effectively as we do, they control temperature by panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and noses.

“These are small areas compared to the rest of the pup,” said Dr Cath, “So you can imagine how difficult it can be if the mercury is high.”

Cats are physiologically similar to dogs, but since many aren’t often found outdoors during the day, much less on a leash under the blazing sun, they are less susceptible to a scorching day.

“Generally, if you’re hot, your cats and dogs probably feel that way, too. However, cats usually self-regulate their behaviour, avoiding overheating by taking it easy when it’s warm. They’ll look for shady or breezy areas, and drink water to stay hydrated.”

Risks and heatstroke

The big risk is heatstroke. On the way to this dangerous condition, pets can dehydrate, burn their paws, and even sustain sunburn – particularly for ‘fairer’ pets.

Dr Cath said signs of heatstroke in a pup can include purple gums or red skin, diarrhoea and or vomiting, excessive panting, dribbling or foaming from the mouth, and general laziness (lethargy).

“If you suspect heatstroke, move your dog to a cool place and calm them. Wet their coat with room temperature water and most importantly, contact your vet immediately, as heatstroke can be life-threatening.”

Cats don’t pant, says Dr Cath, and if they do that’s a sign of something wrong. Heat exhaustion often sets in before heatstroke, and cats (and dogs) may become lethargic.

If this progresses to symptoms including glazed eyes, difficulty breathing, unsteady walking and loss of balance, vomiting, and red gums or tongue, your cat may be suffering from heatstroke.

If this is suspected, get your cat to a cool place, and contact the vet without delay.

How to keep them cool

Some simple tips to help your furry child beat the heat include:

• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water to keep them hydrated throughout the day.
• Exercise as early as possible in the morning, or later in the evening when things start cooling off a little (though hot afternoons are a pretty standard feature of Kiwi summers). If it’s really hot – approaching over 30C, avoid exercise unless your pup can take a swim.
• Create shady spots in your yard (noting that shade can move and become non-existent throughout the day – so choose somewhere that shade is provided for as long as your pet needs it) or use a cooling mat to give them a place to relax away from the sun.
• Treat them to pup-sicles (diced rock melon and plain yogurt blend) or frozen dog-safe fruit or ice cubes with peanut butter (mind the ingredients – avoid natural or artificial sweeteners).
• Watch out for hot pavements. Your Jandals might stop your paws from burning, but your dog doesn’t enjoy the same protection (consider dog booties if you must!).
• Consider using pet-safe cooling devices such as fans, cooling mats, cooling vests, wraps or bandannas or chill out chews to help your pets stay comfortable.
• Monitor your pet's hydration by checking for signs like skin elasticity or dry gums to ensure they stay hydrated.
• Most importantly, never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a short time - it can quickly become dangerously hot and heat stroke is notoriously hard to reverse – if it’s not fatal it can still have life-long effects.

“For most of us, summer is the best season. Make these holidays the best ever for you and your pets with a few mindful measures to help them cope well with the elevated temperatures,” Le Long concluded.