{"success":true,"data":{"id":"deb5a1b8-4485-4f19-8fd1-96bf33532de2","title":"10 simple steps that can save your pet’s life in hot weather","summary":"US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews World CupWorld Cup SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMoney TravelTravel PremiumPremium More More Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the si...","content":"US Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   World Cup[World Cup](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# 10 simple steps that can save your pet’s life in hot weather\n\n## Blue Cross has taken in three pets in the last week whose animal companions died during the hot weather\n\n[Andres De Miguel](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/andres-de-miguel)Wednesday 22 July 2026 11:39 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n*   [Comments](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pet-safety-heatwave-warning-dogs-guinea-pigs-b3019435.html#comments-area)Go to comments  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nClose\n\nPowered By\n\n10 Sec\n\n76K\n\n0\n\nHow does 2026 heatwave compare to record-breaking summer of 1976?\n\nNext video in\n\nNext\n\nKEEP WATCHING\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\n[Pet owners](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/keep-dog-cool-in-heatwave-uk-cooling-mat-b3013744.html \"Five things every pet owner should do during a heatwave\") are being warned of the potentially fatal danger high temperatures pose to small animals.\n\n[Blue Cross](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/blue-cross), a charity which helps at-risk [pets](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/pets), has taken in three pets in the last week whose animal companions died [during the hot weather](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/heatwave-temperature-pets-dogs-safety-b2566687.html \"How to keep your pet cool and healthy during a heatwave\").\n\nThe charity’s rehoming centre in Kimpton, [Hertfordshire](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/hertfordshire), took in a chinchilla and a rabbit while its centre in Burford, [Oxfordshire](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/oxfordshire), took in a guinea pig whose sister had died in the heat.\n\nKellie Brooks, centre manager at Blue Cross Hertfordshire, said: “These are heartbreaking cases that highlight just how dangerous hot weather can be for small pets.\n\n“They can deteriorate incredibly quickly in high temperatures, and sadly the consequences can be fatal.”\n\nUndo\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pet-safety-heatwave-warning-dogs-guinea-pigs-b3019435.html)[Experience the World with Turkish Airlines Offers Turkish Airlines | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pet-safety-heatwave-warning-dogs-guinea-pigs-b3019435.html \"Experience the World with Turkish Airlines Offers\")\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://promopage.net/f5f203fd-4198-4b6e-a854-d90641b6f26e)[Men Over 55 Are Quietly Growing Hair Back — And Most Weren't Even Trying To HolisticPlusLab.com | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://promopage.net/f5f203fd-4198-4b6e-a854-d90641b6f26e \"Men Over 55 Are Quietly Growing Hair Back — And Most Weren't Even Trying To\")\n\nUndo\n\nBlue Cross has warned about the potentially fatal dangers that high temperatures pose to small pets(PA)\n\nThe organisation urged owners to protect their pets from direct sunlight, provide them with constant access to fresh, cool water, and to check on their health regularly during extreme heat.\n\nThey also recommend that owners fill empty bottles with water and freeze them to put in their pets’ enclosures to cool them down.\n\nFor rabbits and [guinea pigs](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/guinea-pigs), it encourages owners to check for flystrike, a painful and potentially fatal condition where flies lay their eggs on a live animal.\n\nThe charity said pet owners should seek advice from a vet immediately if their pet shows signs of heat stress – these include lethargy, panting or excessive drooling.\n\nMs Brooks added: “With a long summer of hot weather forecast, we’re asking everyone to spare a thought for their small pets. A few simple precautions really can make the difference between life and death. If you’re worried about your pet coping in the heat, don’t wait – seek advice as soon as possible.”\n\n## How to keep your dog safe this summer\n\nUnlike humans, our four-legged friends aren’t as effective at regulating their body heat, so it’s crucial to take extra precautions during those uncomfortable sweltering days.\n\nSome tips from the experts include:\n\n1.   Never leave your dog alone in a car\n2.   Provide constant access to cool, fresh water\n3.   Be extra cautious at the beach or near open water\n4.   Don’t put a damp towel over your dog in the heat\n5.   Adjust your walk to early morning or late evening\n6.   Avoid hot pavements\n7.   Check your home is cool\n8.   Adjust how vigorous walks and activities with your dogs are\n9.   Offer frozen treats\n10.   Look out for the warning signs\n\n### More about\n\n## Join our commenting forum\n\nJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies\n\nPromoted stories\n\n[](https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/mark-cuban-says-if-youre-not-reading-youre-falling-behind-firstperson-tts)[A Billionaire's Reading List: 5 Books Cuban Says Everyone Should Know Cuban reads for three hours every morning. This is the exact list he recommends — and there's a faster way to absorb every idea on it without clearing your calendar. Blinkist Magazine | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=thumbs-feed-01-rd:Below%20Article%20Thumbnails%20|%20Card%201:) Read More](https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/mark-cuban-says-if-youre-not-reading-youre-falling-behind-firstperson-tts \"A Billionaire's Reading List: 5 Books Cuban Says Everyone Should Know\")","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pet-safety-heatwave-warning-dogs-guinea-pigs-b3019435.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pet-safety-heatwave-warning-dogs-guinea-pigs-b3019435.html","author":"Andres De Miguel ","author_name":"Andres De Miguel ","published_at":"2026-07-22T10:39:37.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-22T10:39:37.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/21/14/01KY2B1WVEEE72GFC7JHJ7J054.jpg","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":5,"word_count":871,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}