The RSPCA says it could be 'a matter of life or death' if pet owners do not take extreme caution and familiarise themselves with the signs of heatstroke in animals ahead of the severe heatwave this weekend.

The urgent advice comes as the Met Office has issued an Amber Extreme Heat Warning and a Level 3 UK Health Security Agency Heat Health Alert is in place for parts of England and Wales.

Recent polling revealed that more than a third of people* wouldn't know what action to take if their dog was showing signs of heatstroke. 

The RSPCA's animal welfare experts are urging pet owners to take every precaution possible to protect their pets, from skipping walks and keeping them indoors out of the heat, to making frozen treats to encourage them to keep hydrated.

They are giving the advice as the animal welfare charity also launches its Cancel Out Cruelty summer appeal which highlights how - as the temperatures rise - so do calls to the charity's cruelty hotline.

The RSPCA sees a rise of animal cruelty in July and August with 245 reports of cruelty every day. Due to an increase in pet ownership and the cost of living crisis the charity is braced for a summer of suffering and is calling for the public to support its rescue teams to help as many animals as possible.

Esme Wheeler, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: "The hot weather has gone from glorious to extreme, and we can't stress enough how vital it is that pet owners take the situation seriously. That means limiting or skipping walks, only taking very essential car journeys, leaving water available at all times, and preparing damp, cold towels and mats, and frozen treats.

"We're still getting reports of dogs being left in cars, and seeing a lot of dogs being taken to busy outdoor events like festivals, shows and fetes, and to the beach. Don't be that person who is dragging their panting dog along the pavement or plodding around a garden show. We can't stress this enough - please leave them at home in the cool where they'll be safe."

Esme added: "Knowing how to try and prevent heatstroke, and also how to spot the signs of heatstroke in pets could be a matter of life and death, so we're urging anyone with a pet - whether it's a dog or cat, a rabbit or guinea pig, and even chickens, horses and exotic animals - to put aside some time today to read up and make plans."

The signs of heatstroke every dog owner NEEDS to know:

• Excessive panting 
• Unusual breathing noise
• Lethargy or change in behaviour 
• Stumbling
• Blue or grey tinge to gums or tongue

Contact your vet immediately if you spot any of these signs in your dog

What to do if you dog is showing signs of heatstroke:

• Stop them from exercising
• Move them into the shade or cool space immediately
• Offer water in small amounts
• Lay them in cool but not very cold water and/or pour it over them
• Place a soaked, cool towel over their side and replace if it becomes warm
• Speak to your vet straight away for advice on what to do next

Every summer the RSPCA receives hundreds of reports of animals suffering from heat exposure, including dogs left in hot cars, pets with heat burns on their paws from pavements, dehydrated wild animals after water supplies have dried up, grazing animals with no shade, and dogs over-exercised in the heat.

The welfare charity offers plenty of advice and tips for animal owners to help keep their pets cool and safe, and during extreme heat asks people to look out for wildlife too, by placing bowls of water in gardens and parks for wild animals to rehydrate.

Essential steps to protect animals during extreme heat

Dogs

• Never leave your dog in a vehicle. Dogs die in hot cars. Call 999 in an emergency if you see a dog in a hot car.
• For the majority of the daytime hours, keep dogs indoors or wherever it is coolest.Error! Filename not specified.
• Skipping walks during extreme weather shouldn't cause your dog any problems. It's much safer to skip a walk than put them at risk of heatstroke.
• If you must exercise your dog, aim to keep to gentle, slow walks on the lead, and do this in the very early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Remember: If in doubt, don't go out.
• Take extra precautions for older dogs, those with thicker coats or flat faces, and those with existing health conditions.
• Keep fresh, cool water available at all times.
• Have a go at making some frozen dog treats to keep your pooch cool.
• Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly for your dog from pet-friendly ingredients.
• Freeze your dog's water bowl or kong, or add ice cubes to your pet's bowl. 
• Fill a paddling pool or spray a hose for your dog but try to avoid them over-exerting themselves and getting too warm.
• Wrap an ice pack or frozen water bottle in a tea towel, or use damp towels for your pet to lie on.

Cats, small furries, fish & pet chickens

• Watch our video on how to keep cats cool in hot weather.
• Pop a cool damp towel down in case your cat finds this comfortable to rest on.
• Don't let your pet get sunburnt - use pet-safe sun cream on ears and other exposed areas if necessary.
• Check small animals, poultry and other pets twice a day for flystrike.
• Keep guinea pigs cool and hydrated by making them a fresh vegetable treat.
• Ensure rabbits and guinea pigs have constant access to shade and fresh drinking water at all times, and remember that as the sun moves during the day so too does the shade. Somewhere that was shaded in the morning could be in full sun by the afternoon.
• Freeze a semi-full plastic bottle of water and wrap it in a towel so your pets can lie against it. 
• Those with pet chickens can encourage them to stay in shaded areas by hanging up a homemade vegetable garland for chickens.
• Keep fish tanks out of direct sunlight.

Horses and farm animals

• Check water troughs are working properly and clean out any algae or debris.
• For horses stabled during the day out of the heat, try making them our horse and pony boredom buster treat.
• A non-toxic fly repellent spray and a fly mask can help keep horses protected from bugs.
• Plan exercising and travelling horses at either end of the day when temperatures are lower.
• Use pet-safe sunscreen on horses' muzzles if necessary.
• Know the signs of dehydration in horses so you can contact a vet if needed.
• Make sure pet pigs have plenty of wet mud to wallow in as well as shade.

Wildlife 

• Leave a bowl of fresh drinking water in your garden for birds and other wildlife.
• Top up water levels of ponds. 
• Keep an eye out for wildlife when using lawnmowers or strimmers.