The RSPCA has issued a critical warning to Birmingham dog owners as temperatures soar under a red extreme heat alert for the West Midlands: do not use damp towels to cool your dog, as this can trap heat and worsen potentially fatal heatstroke.
RSPCA Advises Against Damp Towels
With the Met Office forecasting sweltering conditions and an extreme heat alert in place, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is urging dog owners to avoid placing damp towels directly over their pet's body. According to the charity, this common practice can “trap heat” and “worsen” a dog's condition when temperatures rise.
The RSPCA advises: “When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke. This can be fatal, so you need to act fast to reduce their body temperature first, then get help.”
Heatstroke First Aid: Cool First, Transport Second
Under its heatstroke guidance, the RSPCA states: “Don’t place damp towels directly over the dog’s body, as this can trap heat and worsen their condition. You can place wet or damp towels beneath the dog – remembering to re-wet the towel frequently – but never over their body.”
If a dog is overheating, the RSPCA recommends the principle “cool first, transport second.” This means acting immediately to stop further heating, cool the dog down, and then take them to the nearest vet. The longer a dog remains overheated, the greater the damage to its health, which can be fatal.
Risk Factors for Heatstroke
Certain factors increase a dog's risk of heatstroke, including health conditions, thick coats, age, and breed. Flat-faced breeds are particularly vulnerable. The RSPCA emphasises that owners should stay calm and focused: “Keep your cool, keep them cool.”
Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs
The RSPCA lists the following symptoms of heatstroke in dogs:
- Collapse: heat exhaustion can cause a dog to collapse.
- Confusion or disorientation: dehydration may make the dog lightheaded or dizzy.
- Dehydration: dry nose, sunken eyes, heavy panting, infrequent urination, and tiredness.
- Drooling: thicker, stickier drool than normal.
- Increased heart rate: a fast pulse can signal overheating.
- Muscle spasms: heat cramps often associated with dehydration, appearing as shivering or shaking despite high temperatures.
- Noisy breathing: breathing noisily or faster than normal, especially in flat-faced breeds.
- Panting: excessive panting indicates overheating.
- Red gums and tongue: coupled with panting and heavy breathing, this can signal overheating.
- Seizures: heatstroke can trigger seizures and loss of consciousness, especially in dogs with epilepsy.
- Vomiting and diarrhoea: softer stool or diarrhoea containing blood indicates severe heatstroke.
- Weakness and lethargy: sleeping more, trouble standing or walking, sluggish movements.
Immediate Action Required
The RSPCA urges owners to act quickly if they suspect heatstroke. “Cool the dog immediately to improve their chances of recovery. Try to stay calm and think clearly. Stay focused on the dog and remind yourself that you are capable of saving a life.”
With temperatures expected to reach up to 33°C in Birmingham, the warning comes as part of a broader red extreme heat alert for the West Midlands. Dog owners are advised to keep pets in shaded areas, provide plenty of fresh water, and avoid walks during the hottest parts of the day.
