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Heatwave: how do you and your pets keep cool?

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Profile photo of Lesley Latimer Lesley Latimer Content Systems Manager
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The Met Office has issued a heatwave alert for England this week. How do you and your pets beat the heat when temperatures rise?

It may sound obvious, but it’s always important to remember that staying hydrated in these conditions is essential – and that goes for our pets, too!

My two lurchers love the warmth of the sun and can regularly be found stretched out in patches of sunlight on the stairs or the kitchen floor, but it’s vital you make sure there’s always enough shade available if they need it.

Beat the heat

I tend to take them for walks in the early morning and evenings to avoid the more intense heat. It’s also important to remember that the pavement/tarmac can get very hot – so hot, in fact, that it can burn the pads on their feet.

If they start picking their feet up, it’s too hot for a walk. Dogs and other pets can suffer from heatstroke just like humans, so it’s worth knowing the signs.


When we’re out on our walks we always carry a dog water bottle with us – not only for them to drink, but to drizzle over them if they need it. A water spritzer is also a good idea if you’re on the move.

Dogs are often fascinated by ice cubes and mine are no exception. They love chasing them around the kitchen floor then crunching them up. I’ve even found they’re especially fond of frozen yoghurt!

And it’s not just pets who need help keeping cool. The RSPB has advised people to leave water out in your garden for birds to drink and bathe in:

Your tips

Many of us enjoy making the most of the warm weather, but it can be easy to forget the effects of a heatwave on our furry friends.

I’ve learnt a lot over the years with my two lurchers, but I’m always interested in hearing how others go about keeping their pets cool when the sun starts blazing.

Whether you’ve got a dog, cat or any other pet, let us know your best tips for enjoying the warm weather safely.

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malcolm r says:
6 July 2018

I learned a couple of nights ago on the World Service (I think) that they are fitting trackers to Asian Hornets that will lead exterminators to the nests and….well….exterminate them. If you were to be stung by such a beast I’d be careful where you put the body.

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duncan lucas says:
6 July 2018

Correct malcolm were you also told that the USA and UK have developed insect size spy’s to fly around gathering info ? I can get all the info on it if you want ? They have been “beavering away ” like good little bees for along time.

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malcolm r says:
6 July 2018

Ate you saying only “the USA and UK” and that no one else has these?
It was no secret in 2013. But was it real………………..

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Ian says:
6 July 2018

I don’t believe either country yet has them:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/insect-spy-drone/

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duncan lucas says:
6 July 2018

Here is an old REAL example https://petapixel.com/2015/12/07/the-40000-bug-camera-drone-being-tested-by-the-us-military/ How about the University of Washington less than a month ago http://uasmagazine.com/articles/1860/university-of-washington-creates-first-insect-drones

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malcolm r says:
6 July 2018

The above was developed by Prox Dynamics, a Norwegian company bought by FLIR Systems.

From Wiki.

A Black Hornet nano helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The Black Hornet Nano is a military micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Prox Dynamics AS of Norway, and in use by the Norwegian, the British Army and the armed forces of the Netherlands and Germany.

The unit measures around 10 × 2.5 cm (4 × 1 in) and provides troops on the ground with local situational awareness. They are small enough to fit in one hand and weigh just over half an ounce (16 g, including batteries).

The UAV is equipped with a camera, which gives the operator full-motion video and still images. They were developed as part of a £20 million contract for 160 units with Marlborough Communications Ltd.[1][2][3]

An operator can be trained to operate the Black Hornet in as little as 20 minutes. The air vehicle has three cameras; one looking forward, one looking straight down, and one pointing downward at 45 degrees. A Black Hornet package contains two helicopters, and since a 90% charge is reached in 20-25 minutes, the same as its hovering time, when one needs to be recharged the other is ready to fly.[4] Top speed is 11 mph (18 km/h).[5]

In October 2014, Prox Dynamics unveiled a version of its PD-100 Black Hornet with night vision capabilities, fitted with both long-wave infrared and day video sensors that can transmit video streams or high-resolution still images via a digital data-link with a 1 mi (1.6 km) range. Over 3,000 Black Hornets had been delivered to date.[6]……….

By September 2016, the PD-100 Black Hornet was in use by the militaries of 19 NATO-allied countries”.[16]

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