Overview
- Citing Thursday's red warnings, the RSPCA told owners to treat the next 24–48 hours like a temporary 'dog lockdown' and to pause normal walks, ball games and energetic play.
- The Met Office has issued amber and red alerts for parts of England with forecasts that daytime highs could reach around 40°C in London and the South East, creating heat and humidity risks for animals.
- Veterinary groups advise a simple pavement or paw test and say walking is generally safe up to about 19°C, with a five‑second hand check recommended before stepping onto hot surfaces.
- Brachycephalic breeds, older, overweight and medically vulnerable dogs are at highest risk, and charities warn cars can reach lethal temperatures within minutes so dogs must never be left unattended in vehicles.
- Charities and vets report rising heatstroke cases — RSPCA and Inspiring Vet Care logged 355 suspected incidents in 2025 — and urge owners to change routines now, watch nine key symptoms of overheating, and cool first then seek veterinary care.