ALERT: Irish pet owners warned amid 'life threatening' heat over coming days

With temperatures set to hit 25 degrees over the coming days, The Irish Blue Cross is appealing to pet owners to keep their cats and dogs safely out of the sun.

Depending on your dog's breed, coat, age and whether they are flat faced, they may not tolerate warm weather.

Dogs’ paw pads can also burn on hot pavements. As a rule, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.

Dr Sophie Olah, Head of Veterinary Services said, “thankfully most people are aware that pets should never be left in cars in hot weather, however, many pet owners are still unaware of the risks of walking their dog in the heat."

"Unless it’s cool enough to take them out early in the morning, please avoid exercising dogs on hot days. Instead, keep them indoors, in the shade with access to plenty of cool water. If your pet is older, overweight, or flat-faced, take extra care, as it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke."

"In fact, it doesn’t need to be that hot for flat-faced pets to get heat stroke, so keep an extra special eye on them.”

“Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Signs of heat stroke include, restlessness, excessive panting, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing, drooling, change in gum colour from pink to dark red, pale, purple or blue."

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"Pets may also be drowsy or uncoordinated and may collapse or vomit in severe cases. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught and keep them still and calm. Wet their chest and stomach areas, where they have less hair, with cool water and contact your vet immediately."

For further information on keeping your pet cool, please visit the charity’s website www.BlueCross.ie

Pet Tips for Hot Weather:

• Keep your pet indoors
• Ensure your pet has plenty of access to shade if outdoors
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available for your pet
• Take your pet for a walk very early morning or very late evening when the sun has gone down in cooler temperatures
• If your pet is older, overweight, or brachycephalic (flat faced), take extra care on very hot days it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke
• If your pet is brachycephalic take extra care that they don’t overheat in warm weather, it doesn’t need to be a very hot day for a brachycephalic pet to get heat stroke it out in the sun
• Make sure the pavement/ground surface you’re walking your dog on is not too hot for your pet – don’t forget they don’t wear shoes!
• Do play with your pet indoors and use interactive toys to keep them mentally stimulated
• Never leave your pet in a car in hot weather in any situation

The Irish Blue Cross is celebrating their 80th anniversary and is an animal welfare charity that provides low-cost veterinary care to pet owners who find private veterinary care prohibitive.

The charity receives approximately 18,000 visitations from sick and injured pets every year. The veterinary team also offer help and advice to current and future owners, helping them to be responsible pet owners.