Staffordshire Police have issued a warning asking dog owners not to walk their pets during the hottest times of day, as temperatures have surged above 30C this week.
Officers have seen people walking dogs in the peak heat and have urged residents to take their pets out in the early mornings or late evenings instead.
Dr Amy Stamp of Lime Trees Vets in Stoke-on-Trent said the problem occurs repeatedly during heatwaves. "It must be stressed every time we have a heatwave that you cannot walk your dog in the middle of the day, it's not safe," she told BBC Radio Stoke.
Why heat is dangerous for dogs
Dogs find it "incredibly difficult" to cool down in high temperatures, especially as their coats trap heat. While dogs pant and can only sweat through their paws, this is not enough to regulate their body temperature in extreme conditions.
Dr Stamp said temperatures above 25C are too hot for most dogs. For dogs with additional risk factors — including being old, having a flat face, or being overweight — even temperatures above 20C can be dangerous.
Heatstroke can damage dogs' internal organs and can be fatal. "We do see dogs die from heatstroke," Dr Stamp said, "from being outside in temperatures like this or trapped in a warm environment, such as a car or conservatory."
Signs of heatstroke to watch for
Dogs suffering from heat stress will start panting, which may continue even after they are moved to a cooler place. They may pace and seem distressed, drool excessively, or in serious cases collapse, suffer seizures, or vomit.
"At that point, it is very, very serious," Dr Stamp said. "If your dogs are panting uncontrollably, that is the time to get them wet and take them to the vet."
How to cool an overheated dog
Dogs should be cooled off immediately if they become too hot. Dr Stamp advised people to "completely saturate" their dogs with whatever cold water is available, including using a hose or a cool bath, alongside moving them into shade or indoors.
She added that dog owners must act in their pets' best interests. "Dogs just live for every moment, they can't foresee what the consequences will be," she said. "There will be dogs with joint pain who chase a ball for hours on end because it's what they want to do. So we have got to act in their best interests and if you have a dog who likes sunbathing, you've got to know when the temperature is too hot and get them into the shade or inside."