Don’t wrap damp towels around hot dogs, RSPCA warns

The RSPCA is reminding pet owners of the best ways to cool down pets, and warning against the dangers of placing wet towels over their bodies, which can be harmful.

As the Met Office confirmed temperatures recently rose to more than 30 degrees celsius (86°F) widely across England, RSPCA vets are reminding pet owners of the dangers of trying to cool down their dogs using wet towels.

Rebecca Ashman, the RSPCA’s Head Vet for Operations, Partnerships And Prevention said, “When temperatures get extreme, we as pet owners want to do all we can to help our animals, and it can be so hard to see them struggling in the heat.

“But we’re concerned that some people may still be following outdated advice regarding placing wet towels over dogs that have overheated. It’s so important that owners don’t do this. Placing damp towels directly over your dog's body can trap heat and worsen their condition.” 

The charity is also reminding people not to be afraid of using very cold water when it comes to cooling their dogs, as in an emergency situation, any water cooler than the pet will help.

 Caroline added, “It's a common misconception that the water used to cool an overheated dog must be at a precise temperature. In reality, any water that’s cooler than the dog's body temperature can aid in cooling.

 “The most important thing is to wet the dog liberally as soon as possible after you notice them overheating, and then use fans to encourage water evaporation and heat loss. Don’t delay by trying to find water at an ‘ideal’ temperature - use whatever you have readily available then make sure to get them to the vet quickly after cooling.”

Pet owners can sign up to attend one of the RSPCA’s monthly virtual Cool Dog Summer workshops to learn more about keeping their dog safe during the summer season.