🐶 If it’s too hot for your feet, it’s too hot for their paws...

We know your four-legged best friend loves a walk… but during hot weather, that favourite stroll could quickly become dangerous.

☀️ Dogs can overheat much faster than we do, and hot pavements can burn their paws in seconds.

Before heading out, ask yourself:

🐾 Can you comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds? If not, it’s too hot for your dog.

⏰ Walk early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower.

💧 Always take fresh water for both you and your dog, and make sure there’s plenty of shade.

🐕 Keep walks shorter than usual and watch for signs of heatstroke, including:

• Excessive panting
• Drooling
• Lethargy or weakness
• Vomiting
• Collapse

If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them somewhere cool, offer small amounts of water, cool them gradually with cool (not ice-cold) water and contact a vet immediately.

🚗 And please… never leave a dog in a parked car!!

“It’ll only be five minutes” can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation. Even with the windows open, temperatures inside a vehicle can soar within minutes.

🐶 If you see a dog showing signs of distress in a hot vehicle:

📍 Try to locate the owner if it’s safe to do so.

📞 If the dog is in immediate danger, call 999.

📞 If there isn’t an immediate risk to life, contact us on 101 or report it online: www.staffordshire.police.uk so we can assess the situation.

If safe to do so, stay with the vehicle until help arrives and note the location, vehicle registration and a description of the dog.

The best way to protect our furry friends is prevention - a missed walk is far better than a trip to the emergency vet.

Because while dogs love chasing balls… they shouldn’t be chasing an ambulance. 🐾❤️

Let’s all do our bit to keep Staffordshire’s pets safe this summer.

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