Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun but venturing out at that hour during a heatwave seems a special kind of folly. The sight of a dog struggling along in extreme heat can transform the meekest of souls into raging animal rights activists. People who lose little sleep over a pig in a factory farm will nevertheless smash a car window if they see a dog shut inside a car on a sweltering afternoon.

But even the most conscientious of dog owners struggle to stop their companions suffering during a heatwave. We spend chunks of the summer feeling broken-hearted and powerless as our sad dogs pant through yet another stifling day.

Dogs can’t choose their environment or fetch themselves a cold drink from the fridge as the thermometer hits 30 degrees. They rely on us to make them comfortable and prevent them from overheating, which can cause dehydration, gastric issues, overheated brains and burnt paws. Different breeds and ages suffer to varying degrees, but some, especially flat-faced breeds like bulldogs and pugs, giant breeds, thick-coated northern breeds, and elderly dogs, are particularly vulnerable. For some dogs, heatwaves are lethal.

For some dogs, heatwaves are lethal

Many homes in the UK were designed to retain warmth rather than shed it. In winter that’s a blessing but during a prolonged heatwave it can become a trap. What feels uncomfortable to us can become genuinely dangerous for our four-legged friends.

During heatwaves, sensible owners shift walks to the relative cool of early morning or late evening. Even then, outings are often shortened. This is understandable, and usually done for the dog’s own good, but it comes at a cost. Dogs lose valuable opportunities to explore, sniff, and socialise. A walk is not just physical exertion. It’s one of the principal ways in which a dog experiences the world.

These challenges have come more into focus as the temperatures soared this year, followed hot on their heels by warnings of the future. After the Met Office issued red extreme heat warnings for only the second time since their inception in 2021, its scientists said that temperatures in the mid-forties could be a serious possibility for the UK by 2050.

If these projections are even approximately correct, are we approaching the point at which it would be actively cruel to acquire a new dog? Caring properly for the animals who already share our lives is one thing. Deliberately bringing another into a future of ever more frequent and intense heatwaves seems another altogether. Compassion isn’t just about love in the present; it’s about imagining the future we’re inviting another being into.

Although I have frequently denounced cruelty towards animals in these pages, I’m not persuaded that the partnership between man and dog should end in a hotter future. Millions of dogs live long and healthy lives in countries with far hotter climates than ours. True, homes in those places are generally designed to remain cool, whereas ours are not. But even a typical British house can be made significantly safer with fans, better ventilation, portable air conditioning and other cooling measures.

There is plenty owners can do to make things easier for their dogs during heatwaves: early morning walks, evening exercise under the shade of trees, cooling mats and indoor activities like training games, scent work, and puzzle toys. You can leave extra water out and put some ice cubes in the bowl. It pays to learn the early signs of overheating: excessive or frantic panting, thick or excessive drooling, and a brighter red tongue or gums.

The people who shouldn’t own a dog during a heatwave are exactly the same people who should never own a dog at all. Those whose sense of entitlement tells them they deserve a dog, even though their home and lifestyle aren’t appropriate for one. Britain is home to an estimated 13.5 million dogs, while the number being surrendered for rehoming has reached record levels, according to the Dogs Trust. Many people acquired dogs to entertain them during Covid lockdowns, only to discover later that companionship carried obligations they had not anticipated. Around 110,000 dogs are now handed over to rescue organisations every year.

But there are countless owners whose devotion to their dogs does not diminish with the seasons. As heatwaves become more common, sound people’s understanding of how to look after their animals will evolve accordingly. It is not difficult to imagine a new generation of owners who prepare for a warmer future and, with foresight and care, provide lives that are happier and more comfortable than many dogs enjoy today.