From burnt paws to heatstroke, dogs and other pets can suffer in the heat. Here's how veterinarians recommend keeping them cool.

As heatwaves break out this summer, many pet parents may become concerned about their companions. Our pups may eagerly join us on a sunny trip to the park, but they can have a hard time cooling off and can sustain heat injuries even when temperatures may not feel very hot to humans.

While some other pets, such as cats, generally fare better when it comes to avoiding overheating, they can be at risk of too much Sun too.

That said, it's possible for pets to enjoy time outside safely in the summer. Here's what experts recommend for keeping dogs and cats safe from the dangers of the heat.

Heatwaves around the world are becoming longer and more intense due to climate change. But even when the weather isn't blazing hot, pets can get heat injuries, catching owners off guard. Veterinarians say they often see a spike in heat injuries in dogs during late spring. "We can start seeing heatstroke pretty early, even if the weather itself isn't extraordinarily hot," says veterinarian Amanda Cavanagh, who leads urgent care services at the Colorado State University veterinary hospital.

Pet dogs often suffer heat injuries in late spring or early summer for two reasons: their physical fitness is down and they are not acclimatised to the heat. Some owners reduce walks during the colder months, says Katherine Farrell, an emergency and critical care veterinary specialist at the University of California, Davis. Then, when the days warm up, they are eager to take their dogs for a long hike, which can expose them to excessive heat. "They didn't anticipate the weather and their pet is not in that great of shape," says Farrell.

Canines can be conditioned to endure the heat, with military and police dogs often working through the summer heat, notes Cavanagh. But those German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois are exercised throughout the year, maintaining peak physical fitness.

Some dogs are poorly equipped to shed heat. You might be picturing a fluffy Samoyed, but they are not the worst-suited to the summer. Instead, squish-faced or brachycephalic breeds, such as bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs top the list of dogs most likely to suffer in the Sun. One study found these canines had a risk of heat illness more than four times higher than dogs with longer snouts.

Their short snouts are to blame. Dogs mainly get rid of heat through panting, which moves heat out of their airways and into the environment, explains Cavanagh. The water vapour from their respiratory system evaporates, producing a cooling effect. (While dogs can sweat through their paws, this is of minimal significance for cooling, says Farrell).

"When you open up the mouth of a German Shepherd or a Labrador, you can see right down into their airway," says Cavanagh. "If you open the mouth of a bulldog, all you'll see is a giant tongue and a big soft palate, and it just looks like jowls and tissue back there."

That means they can't open up their airway and get rid of heat. "Having an obstructed airway from being a squishy-face breed is really the highest risk factor," adds Cavanagh.

For some dog breeds, a trip to the groomers may help with heat tolerance, as taking off extra length their coats can help them shed heat more easily, says Farrell.

But always consult your veterinarian for advice on what's best for your dog. While long coats may be warmer, they are more functional than they seem. A double coat, with short hairs beneath a layer of long fur,

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