74 per cent surge in pet owners desperate for advice, as fifth heatwave hits

As scorching conditions continue to grip England and Wales with temperatures set to hit 36°C (96.8°F) with a fifth heatwave, visits to the RSPCA’s hot weather web pages are also soaring with clicks of more than 1,000 per day as owners seek urgent guidance to protect their pets.

Over the past 28 days, RSPCA hot weather advice pages have recorded more than 30,000 visits—averaging one every 80 seconds—as owners seek urgent guidance on protecting their pets, including advice on heatstroke, hot cars, and caring for small animals and wildlife.

Between July 13 and August 9, the pages received 30,931 visits, compared to 17,700 during the same period in 2025. This 74pc surge in traffic highlights the significant spike in public concern and the welfare risks posed by the extreme weather.

The Met Office has warned of more extreme heat to come this week, with amber heat health alerts – issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – in place for every part of England, except the North East which has a yellow alert until 9am on Friday.

Temperatures are predicted to climb to as high as 36°C (96.8°F) in some places.

Eloise Dicks, pet welfare expert at the RSPCA said: “These figures show that the public and their pets are experiencing the negative impact of this heatwave first hand.

“We are seeing thousands of people reaching out because they are rightly worried – but we need that concern to turn into action. People must continue to treat extreme temperatures like a lockdown for your pets.

“This isn’t the time for walks, chasing the ball or playing fetch, or exposing pooches to energetic exercise. It’s far better for dogs to miss a few walks completely than to suffer the potentially fatal consequences of overheating, or heatstroke.

“One of the biggest risks during periods of extreme heat is treating them like any other summer day.

“We’re urging dog owners to make this a Summer of Kindness – and focus on keeping dogs cool, comfortable and calm at home until temperatures start to ease. Fresh water, air flow, shade and mental enrichment can make all the difference during this intense period of extreme heat.”

With thousands of people looking for ways to keep their pets safe in the heat, the RSPCA offers these tips:

1. Move exercise to the coolest possible times – or skip it altogether

These are not normal summer temperatures and for many dogs, missing a walk for a day or two is far safer than risking overheating. If you don’t have access to a garden, nip your dogs out briefly to the nearest grassy area for them to toilet and head straight back into the cool.

2. Swap physical exercise for mental stimulation

Your dog may naturally want to sleep more during hot weather, but when they are awake you can encourage them to use puzzle feeders and snuffle mats, or play calm gentle training games and scent work indoors. This can be a great temporary substitute for outdoor time. The heat could also potentially make dogs more irritable or frustrated, so be sure to keep an eye on their body language and give them space to allow them to keep cool on their own terms.

3. Create cool zones throughout the home

Keeping your home as cool as possible is key. Close curtains on sunny rooms, use fans safely, provide access to cooler floors and let dogs choose where they rest. Consider laying out a special dog cooling mat, or a cold damp towel, for your dog to lie on.

4. Refresh water regularly and offer it in multiple locations

Instead of having just one bowl of water available, offer fresh water throughout the day in multiple bowls around the home and garden. You can consider adding one or two ice cubes where appropriate.

5. Keep air moving

A breeze can work wonders to make your dog (and you) feel more comfortable and ease the discomfort of extreme heat. Open windows when safe to create airflow through the home. Use fans where suitable and close off stuffy conservatories and enclosed spaces.

Eloise added: “These continuing high temperatures are becoming really difficult for a lot of people and animals, but the decisions owners make over the next couple of days could have a lasting impact on their pets. For now, the message is simple: pause normal routines, prioritise keeping pets cool and comfortable, and wait until temperatures ease before returning to business as usual.”

The charity is reminding dog owners to be aware of the signs of heatstroke in dogs, which can be a “silent killer” if not prevented, or treated immediately.