Summer heat safety for pets in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi summers combine high temperatures with high humidity, and that combination matters more than temperature alone. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, which works by evaporating moisture. When the air is already saturated, panting becomes far less effective, so a pet can build up heat faster than the weather forecast suggests.

Some pets are less able to cope than others. Flat-faced breeds, overweight pets, very young and very old animals, thick-coated breeds and pets with heart or airway conditions all have less margin. If your pet falls into one of those groups, it is worth planning the summer around them rather than around the calendar.

The most useful change most owners can make is simply moving walks to the coolest parts of the day, early morning and late evening. Shade helps, but ground temperature lags behind air temperature, so a surface that baked all afternoon can still be hot long after sunset.

Before you set off, test the ground with the back of your hand. Hold it against the pavement for about seven seconds. If you cannot hold it there comfortably, it is too hot for paw pads. Grass, sand and shaded routes are kinder, and paw protection is an option for pets who tolerate it.

• Walk early morning or after dark, and keep sessions shorter
• Test the ground with the back of your hand before you go
• Carry water on any walk longer than a few minutes
• Choose shaded or grassy routes over open pavement
• Let your pet set the pace and stop when they slow down

Keep several water bowls around the home so drinking never depends on your pet crossing a hot floor or a sunny room. Cats in particular often drink more when water sits away from their food. Refresh bowls through the day, because water left standing in a warm room becomes unappealing quickly.

When outdoor exercise has to shrink, mental work is a good substitute. Scent games, food puzzles, training sessions and short indoor play keep a pet occupied without raising their body temperature. A bored dog indoors is usually a dog who needs a different kind of activity rather than a longer walk in the heat.

The inside of a parked car heats far faster than the air outside, and cracking a window makes very little difference. This applies even for a short errand, and even when the car was cool when you parked it. There is no safe version of this in an Abu Dhabi summer.

Overheating can progress quickly, and early signs are easy to mistake for ordinary tiredness. Contact the clinic straight away if you notice any of the following, and call ahead so the team can prepare for your arrival.

• Heavy, frantic panting that does not settle with rest
• Bright red, very pale or unusually dry gums
• Drooling more than normal, or thick sticky saliva
• Wobbliness, confusion, weakness or collapse
• Vomiting or diarrhoea after heat exposure
• Rapid heartbeat or laboured breathing

While you arrange to be seen, move your pet somewhere cool and offer small amounts of water. Do not use ice or ice-cold water, which can cause blood vessels to constrict and slow cooling. Cool, not cold, is the aim.

A well-maintained coat is not the same as a short one. Many double-coated breeds rely on their undercoat for insulation against heat as well as cold, and shaving them can make matters worse and expose skin to the sun. Regular brushing and de-shedding removes the trapped dead hair that actually holds heat.

If you are unsure what suits your pet's coat type, ask before the appointment rather than after. A grooming plan built around the coat is more useful than a seasonal haircut.