RSPCA issues heatwave safety advice for pets
The RSPCA has given advice on keeping pets safe during the heatwave as calls for help surge, including tips on hydration and avoiding hot pavements.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The RSPCA has issued urgent advice for pet owners as a heatwave sweeps the UK, with the charity reporting a surge in calls from people worried about keeping their animals safe. The warnings come as temperatures rise and concerns grow over heatstroke, burnt paws, and hidden dangers in long grass.
Vets and animal welfare experts are urging owners to walk dogs only during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, and to avoid hot pavements that can burn paws. The RSPCA has seen a 9,000 percent increase in people visiting its website to research heatstroke, which it describes as a silent killer. Simple measures like providing plenty of shade, fresh water, and frozen treats can help keep pets cool.
Another risk highlighted by vets is grass seeds, which are more common this year due to the 'No Mow May' trend that leaves grass longer. These sharp seeds can become embedded in a dog's paws, ears, or eyes, causing painful injuries that often require surgical removal. Owners are advised to check their dog's fur and paws thoroughly after walks, especially in long grass, and to look out for signs such as lameness, head shaking, or swelling.
The RSPCA is also running its 'Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues' campaign, reminding the public that many animals are rescued from neglect and cruelty. One of the dogs featured in the coverage, a two-year-old named Leo, is a cruelty case looking for a rural home. The charity receives a call about an animal being mistreated once every ten minutes.
For cat owners, the advice is to ensure shaded areas and access to water, and to consider pet-safe sunscreen for ears, which can be prone to sun damage. The overall message is to be vigilant and adapt routines to protect pets during the hot weather.
On screen
Stills are sampled automatically at 60-second intervals. Where shown, the still is the nearest available frame from the relevant broadcast segment and is included to show what was on screen during that part of the broadcast. A still may not correspond to the exact second of a quoted phrase.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| Grass seeds can cause painful injuries to dogs, often requiring surgical removal, and are more common due to longer grass from 'No Mow May'. | · | |
| The RSPCA receives a call about animal mistreatment once every ten minutes. | · | |
| The RSPCA reported a surge in heat-related pet safety inquiries, including a 9000% increase in people researching heat stroke on its website. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This segment focused heavily on the specific danger of grass seeds to dogs, using a live demonstration with a vet and an injured dog named Winnie. The tone was practical and urgent, with detailed advice on how to spot and prevent grass seed injuries. It did not cover the broader RSPCA heatwave advice or the increase in calls about heatstroke.
- “This is a grass seed and Basically what happens the tips here come off. You've got a pointy edge and barbs going backwards So once these enter into the dog, they actually can't come out as a unidirectional movement for the grass seed”
- “I love no-mow-may because it's good for the environment and our bees and everything But it does unfortunately mean that there are more grass seeds around the grass is longer We're not mowing it and these are everywhere”
This report focused on the RSPCA's general heatwave advice, featuring a rescue dog named Leo being cooled with water. It highlighted the charity's increased call volume and a 9,000 percent spike in online searches for heatstroke information. The tone was warm and community-focused, also promoting the RSPCA's 'Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues' campaign and Leo's need for a home.
- “we've seen a huge rise in people researching heat stroke we've had a nine thousand percent increase in people going on our website so we're really glad people are looking into it and it is a silent killer so it's a real worry.”
- “we're really encouraging people to go out at the cooler times of the day so really early in the morning later in the evening almost having a dog lockdown during those really hot hours thinking about the paws on the pavement”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.