Dog owners warned not to make common heatwave mistake that can be fatal

Dog owners are being urged to avoid making a very common mistake during the UK's heatwave that experts warn could put their four-legged friends in serious danger.

With temperatures soaring and heat alerts in place across parts of the UK, the RSPCA has issued urgent advice to help keep dogs safe.

Among its warnings is one simple action many owners believe helps cool their pets down, but can actually make things worse.

The animal welfare charity says damp towels should never be placed directly over a dog's body when they are overheating.

While it may seem like a quick way to cool them down during the hot weather, the towel can actually trap heat against the dog's body and 'worsen their condition'.

The RSPCA has warned that damp towels should never be placed directly over a dog's body when they are overheating (Getty Stock Images)

"When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke," the RSPCA website explains.

"This can be fatal, so you need to act fast to reduce their body temperature first, then get help."

As part of the hot weather advice on its website, the charity urged: "Don’t use damp towels.

"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."

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency in dogs and can develop quickly in hot weather. Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they cannot sweat in the same way humans do and rely mainly on panting to regulate their body temperature.

To help protect dogs during the hot weather, with forecasters predicting temperatures could climb towards 40°C in some parts of the UK, the RSPCA has urged owners to follow three key steps: prepare, watch and act quickly.

Prepare before heading out

Temperatures could climb towards 40°C in some parts of the UK this week (Getty Stock Images)

Owners should make sure their dog has access to:

• Plenty of shade
• Fresh water throughout the day
• Cool surfaces, such as grass, rather than hot pavements

The charity also recommends checking pavement temperatures with the back of your hand before taking a dog for a walk, as hot surfaces can burn paws.

Watch for signs of heat stroke

The charity also recommends pet owners do the 'pavement test' before taking their dog on a walk (Getty Stock Images)

Symptoms can include:

• Heavy panting or difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling
• Lethargy or weakness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Red gums or tongue
• Collapse or seizures in severe cases

Dogs with flat faces, such as bulldogs and pugs, can be particularly susceptible to overheating.

Act quickly if your dog overheats

Pet owners are being urged to watch out for signs of heat stroke (Getty Stock Images)

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, the RSPCA advises owners to:

• Stop all exercise immediately
• Move the dog into shade or a cooler area
• Offer small amounts of water
• Pour cool water over their body, avoiding the head
• Create airflow with a fan or breeze

The UK is braced for record-breaking temperatures which could hit 40°C on Wednesday (24 June) and Thursday (25 June) in some parts of England and Wales as a 'heat-dome' settling over western Europe has brought extreme conditions across the continent.

A red weather warning for extreme heat covering an area stretching from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham was issued by the Met Office from 9am on Wednesday to 9pm on Thursday.