The UK heatwave is breaking records this June, and temperatures inside our homes are climbing fast. Because our furry companions cannot sweat like we do, the RSPCA has issued an urgent advisory telling owners to treat this extreme weather like a “temporary lockdown” for their pets.
For the next few days, routines need to change. Forget the walks, put away the fetch toys, and focus entirely on keeping your dog cool, calm, and comfortable indoors.
Here are the vet-approved, indoor cooling strategies you need to follow today:
1. Trap the Cool Air (The Closed-Window Trick)
It feels natural to fling open every window when a room feels stuffy. However, if the air outside is hotter than the air inside, you are just letting the heat in. Keep your doors and windows completely shut during the peak afternoon heat. Pull your curtains and blinds to block out direct sunlight. Only open them late at night or early in the morning when the outside air finally drops.
2. The Towel Rule: Under, Never Over
If your dog is panting, your first instinct might be to drape a damp towel over their back. Please do not do this. The RSPCA warns that covering a dog with a wet towel acts like a blanket, trapping heat against their skin and dangerously raising their core temperature. Instead, lay the damp towel flat on the kitchen or bathroom floor so they can choose to lie on it. Dogs cool down from the bottom up!
3. Watch the Official RSPCA Video Guide
To help you spot the early signs of heatstroke and learn exactly how to lower a dog’s body temperature safely, the RSPCA has released a vital 1-minute public safety broadcast.
4. Ditch the Walks for Brain Games
No healthy dog ever died from missing a few walks, but tragically, many die from being exercised in a heatwave. Switch physical walks for mental enrichment indoors. Take a Kong toy or a lick mat, mix their usual wet food with a little extra water, and freeze it. The repetitive licking action naturally calms their nervous system and cools them down safely.
Have a read of my post, ‘Let’s Talk About the Weather!’ for more information about heatstroke and what to do in an emergency.