Hiker Dies of Heat-Related Illness on Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

RSPCA advises dog owners on safe use of damp towels to prevent heatstroke in pets

The RSPCA has issued guidance to dog owners regarding the use of damp towels as a method to keep pets cool during hot weather. While many pet owners rely on this common technique to help prevent heatstroke, the charity warns that incorrect use can actually worsen a dog’s condition. According to the RSPCA, placing wet or damp towels directly over a dog’s body may trap heat instead of reducing it, potentially increasing the risk of overheating. Instead, the organization recommends placing damp towels beneath the dog, ensuring they are re-wetted frequently to maintain effectiveness. Heatstroke in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs when an animal is unable to regulate its body temperature through panting. The RSPCA emphasizes the importance of acting quickly if a dog shows signs of overheating. Symptoms can include confusion, excessive drooling, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, noisy or labored breathing, weakness, muscle spasms, and in severe cases, collapse. Certain dogs are more vulnerable, including those with thick coats, pre-existing respiratory conditions, puppies, and older dogs, all of which may struggle more to regulate body temperature. The charity also outlines a three-step emergency response for suspected heatstroke cases: immediately stop further heating, begin cooling the dog, and then transport the animal to a veterinary professional. The RSPCA stresses that cooling should begin as quickly as possible, as prolonged overheating increases the risk of severe health damage or death. Owners are encouraged to remain calm, focus on cooling the pet effectively, and seek veterinary assistance without delay.

RSPCA advises dog owners on safe use of damp towels to prevent heatstroke in pets

The RSPCA has issued guidance to dog owners regarding the use of damp towels as a method to keep pets cool during hot weather. While many pet owners rely on this common technique to help prevent heatstroke, the charity warns that incorrect use can actually worsen a dog’s condition. According to the RSPCA, placing wet or damp towels directly over a dog’s body may trap heat instead of reducing it, potentially increasing the risk of overheating. Instead, the organization recommends placing damp towels beneath the dog, ensuring they are re-wetted frequently to maintain effectiveness. Heatstroke in dogs is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs when an animal is unable to regulate its body temperature through panting. The RSPCA emphasizes the importance of acting quickly if a dog shows signs of overheating. Symptoms can include confusion, excessive drooling, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, noisy or labored breathing, weakness, muscle spasms, and in severe cases, collapse. Certain dogs are more vulnerable, including those with thick coats, pre-existing respiratory conditions, puppies, and older dogs, all of which may struggle more to regulate body temperature. The charity also outlines a three-step emergency response for suspected heatstroke cases: immediately stop further heating, begin cooling the dog, and then transport the animal to a veterinary professional. The RSPCA stresses that cooling should begin as quickly as possible, as prolonged overheating increases the risk of severe health damage or death. Owners are encouraged to remain calm, focus on cooling the pet effectively, and seek veterinary assistance without delay.

Heatstroke doubles risks for cataracts, Japanese study finds

The study by researchers at the Nagoya Institute of Technology is the largest one to show a possible link between a rise in body temperature and the condition.