Urgent warning issued to Irish pet owners over potentially deadly heatwave

The Irish Blue Cross has appealed to the public to protect their pets from the heat as temperatures are expected to soar over the coming days, with some counties potentially reaching 31 degrees on Saturday.

Heatwaves such as this pose a very serious health risk to pets, particularly dogs, cats and smaller furry animals. Unlike people, these animals are highly susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration as many of them struggle to regulate their body temperature.

Dr Sophie Olah, Head of Veterinary Services at The Irish Blue Cross, explained: "While most people look forward to and enjoy hot weather, us humans have the luxury of being able to wear lighter clothes. Unfortunately, our pets are unable to do this.

"So, over the next few days we would advise not walking dogs, unless it’s very early in the morning or the temperature has dropped sufficiently in the late evening to do so. It’s the temperature that’s important when deciding if it’s safe to walk your dog, rather than if the sun is shining."

The vet continued: "Some dogs won’t toilet in their own garden and some dogs live in apartments, so if this applies to you, we recommend you walk as slowly as possible, bring plenty of water with you and stick to shaded areas. Obvious signs of heatstroke include collapse, excessive panting or breathing heavily, and dribbling. Please move your pet to a cool place, wet their coat thoroughly and contact a vet immediately."

The Blue Cross has urged people with older, flat-faced or overweight pets to take care as these animals are particularly at risk of heatstroke during the heatwave.

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They have also advised that people with small furry pets ensure that they are well groomed, their accommodation is kept out of direct sunlight, and that they have access to plenty of fresh and cool water.

Dr Ciara Sweeney, Veterinary Surgeon at The Irish Blue Cross, emphasised: "Pets rely on us completely to keep them safe and healthy, and a few simple steps can prevent them suffering in the heat. Please ensure your pets have access to fresh, cool water and shaded areas at all times.

"Cats can be fussy about their water source, so you can freeze some spring water from a tin of tuna for example, to help keep them hydrated. As cats are well known for hiding in small spaces, it might be advisable to keep them inside on very hot days, so they don’t inadvertently get trapped in a shed or greenhouse."

Here are the Blue Cross' top tips for keeping pets safe in the hot weather:

• Keep your pet indoors in the shade
• Ensure your pet has plenty of access to shade if outdoors
• Make sure there is plenty of fresh water available for your pet
• Only take your pet for a walk very early morning or very late in the evening when the sun has gone and if the temperature is cool enough to do so
• If your pet is older, overweight or brachycephalic (flat faced), take extra care on very hot days as it may still be too warm early in the morning or late in the 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 out in the sun
• Make sure the pavement/ground surface you’re walking your dog on is not too hot for your pet
• Do use interactive toys to keep pets mentally stimulated
• Never, ever leave your pet in a car in hot weather in any situation