This weekend is set to be a scorcher. Forecasters are predicting 28-32°C across England and Wales, the hottest days of the year so far.

For us, it's a long-awaited taste of summer. For our dogs, it can be deadly.

Dogs can't sweat to cool down. They're wearing a fur coat they can't take off, relying on panting alone to regulate their temperature. When it's this hot, that system gets overwhelmed fast, and heatstroke can become fatal in minutes.

Every year, vets see a spike in heat emergencies over the first hot weekend. Almost all of them are preventable. Here's how to keep your dog safe.

Walk Early or Late. Never at Midday.

This is the most important rule of the weekend.

A midday walk that feels pleasant to you can cause heatstroke in your dog and burn their paws on hot ground. Stick to early morning (before 8am) or late evening (after 8pm). If it's still too warm even then, skip it. A missed walk never hurt a dog. Heatstroke kills them.

The 7-Second Test: Press the back of your hand to the pavement for 7 seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws. Tarmac can hit 50°C+ on a 28°C day, hot enough to cause serious burns.

Never Leave Them in the Car

You know this. But dogs still die from it every summer, so it bears repeating.

On a 22°C day, a car interior can hit 47°C within an hour. This weekend it'll happen faster and climb higher. Cracking a window does almost nothing. "Just nipping into the shop" is exactly how it happens. If they can't come in with you, leave them at home.

Know the Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke develops fast and can be fatal within minutes. Knowing the signs could save your dog's life.

Early: Heavy, frantic panting. Excessive drooling. Bright red gums or tongue. Restlessness.

Serious: Lethargy or weakness. Disorientation or stumbling. Vomiting. Collapse. Seizures. Pale or blue gums.

If your dog overheats: Move them to shade. Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body, especially the belly, armpits, and paws. Offer small sips. Get air moving over them. Call your vet immediately, even if they seem to recover. Internal damage isn't always visible.

Some Dogs Are at Far Higher Risk

Every dog is vulnerable in heat, but some are in real danger even in moderate warmth:

Flat-faced breeds (Bulldogs, Frenchies, Pugs, Boxers). Their shortened airways make panting far less effective, so they overheat dramatically faster.

Older dogs and puppies. Less able to regulate temperature.

Overweight dogs. More heat, less efficient cooling.

Double-coated breeds (Huskies, Malamutes) built for cold climates.

Dogs with heart or breathing conditions.

If that's your dog, be extra vigilant this weekend.

Keeping Them Cool at Home

Fresh water everywhere. Multiple bowls with ice cubes added. Dogs drink more when water is cool.

Shade and airflow. Keep curtains closed on sunny windows. A fan near a damp towel helps.

Cooling mats or a damp towel to lie on. Never drape a wet towel over them, it traps heat instead of releasing it.

Frozen treats and paddling pools. A frozen stuffed toy or a shallow pool in the shade keeps them cool and entertained.

The BBQ: A Minefield for Dogs

Where there's a hot weekend, there's a barbecue, and barbecues are full of hidden hazards.

Corn on the cob. One of the most dangerous foods for dogs. The cob can't be digested and causes blockages that often need emergency surgery.

Skewers and cooked bones. Sharp sticks can pierce the gut. Cooked bones splinter. Both are choking and blockage risks. Watch the bin too.

Fatty scraps. Sausages, burgers, and greasy offcuts can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and serious condition.

Onions, garlic, and alcohol. All toxic to dogs, and all common at a barbecue. A spilled drink left within reach is a genuine risk.

With guests over, the safest move is simple: tell everyone not to feed the dog, no matter how much they beg.

Don't Forget the Stress

It's not just the heat. More visitors, more noise, unfamiliar faces, sometimes fireworks. For an anxious dog, a packed house in sweltering weather is genuinely overwhelming.

Give them a cool, quiet room to retreat to, away from the noise, with water and their bed. Let them take themselves out of the action. Don't force them to be sociable.

If your dog struggles with busy days like this, a little natural calming support ahead of time can take the edge off, helping them settle rather than spending the day on high alert.

P.S. Save your vet's emergency number in your phone before the weekend. Heatstroke moves fast, and you don't want to be searching for it when every second counts.