As the United Kingdom bakes under a relentless heatwave, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has issued a stark warning to dog owners: resist the urge to drape damp towels directly over your overheated pets. While this may seem like a quick fix for cooling down a beloved pooch, experts caution that it could do far more harm than good—potentially trapping heat and worsening the animal’s condition during these dangerous days.
The Met Office has issued a red extreme heat warning for Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, 2026, covering a wide area from London to Swansea and Somerset to Birmingham. According to the LADbible and other outlets, temperatures are expected to soar to a blistering 40°C in some parts of England and Wales, thanks to a persistent ‘heat-dome’ blanketing western Europe. The UK Health Security Agency has also rolled out multiple heat health alerts, emphasizing the strain these conditions could place on health and social care services.
For dog owners, the heatwave brings a specific set of risks. The RSPCA, a leading animal welfare charity, has been at the forefront of efforts to educate the public about the dangers of heatstroke in dogs. On its website, the organization spells out the peril in no uncertain terms: “When a dog gets too hot and can’t lower its temperature by panting, it can develop heatstroke. This can be fatal, so you need to act fast to reduce their body temperature first, then get help.”
One of the most common mistakes, the RSPCA warns, is the use of damp towels—specifically, placing them directly over a dog’s body. As reported by Birmingham Live and LADbible, the charity’s guidance is clear: “Don’t use damp towels. Don’t place damp towels directly over the dog’s body, as this can trap heat and worsen their condition. You can place wet or damp towels beneath the dog—remembering to re-wet the towel frequently—but never over their body.”
So why is this practice so risky? Dogs, unlike humans, cannot sweat through their skin. Instead, they rely almost entirely on panting to regulate their internal temperature. When a towel covers their fur, it can act as an insulating layer, preventing the heat from escaping and potentially causing the dog’s core temperature to rise even further. This is especially hazardous during a heatwave, when environmental temperatures are already pushing the limits of what a dog’s body can handle.
The symptoms of heatstroke in dogs are varied, but all are serious. According to the RSPCA, owners should be on the lookout for collapse, confusion or disorientation, dehydration (which may show as a dry nose, sunken eyes, heavy panting, infrequent urination, and tiredness), drooling (especially if it’s thicker and stickier than usual), increased heart rate, muscle spasms, noisy breathing, excessive panting, red gums and tongue, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes with blood), and general weakness or lethargy. Flat-faced breeds like bulldogs and pugs are particularly vulnerable to overheating due to their unique anatomy, which makes it harder for them to cool down through panting.
With the mercury climbing to record-breaking heights—forecasts called for 37°C in southern England and 35°C in southeast Wales on June 23, with the peak hitting at least 39°C or even 40°C in some spots—the risk is higher than ever. The RSPCA has responded by urging owners to follow a three-step approach: prepare, watch, and act quickly. Preparation means ensuring dogs have constant access to fresh water and shade, and checking pavement temperatures with the back of your hand before heading out for a walk (hot surfaces can burn sensitive paws in seconds).
If a dog does begin to show signs of overheating, the charity’s advice is unequivocal: “The best thing to do when your dog is overheating is cool first, transport second. This means acting fast to stop further heating, cooling the dog down, and then taking them to your nearest vet.”
To stop further heating, owners should immediately halt any exercise or movement, remove the dog from hot vehicles or buildings, and get them out of direct sunlight—creating shade if none is available. Next, to cool the dog, pour any available water that is cooler than the dog’s body temperature over their body, being careful to avoid the head (as the dog may already be struggling to breathe). If it’s safe, submerge the dog’s body in cool water, such as a paddling pool or stream, but avoid this step with unconscious, elderly, or health-compromised dogs—in those cases, spraying with room temperature water is safer. Creating a breeze by fanning the dog can also help speed up the cooling process.
Once the dog’s temperature has come down, the RSPCA recommends taking them to the nearest vet as quickly as possible. The journey should be made in a cooled, well-ventilated vehicle—air conditioning on, or windows open if necessary—and water should be offered if the dog is alert enough to drink. “Call ahead to inform your vet about the urgency of the situation,” the RSPCA adds, so the veterinary team can be ready to provide immediate care upon arrival.
According to Birmingham Live, the peak of the heatwave was forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures expected to ease slightly by Friday, June 26, when highs of 32°C were predicted for eastern areas. Still, the ongoing risk remains: even after the worst of the heat passes, dogs can suffer lingering effects from heatstroke if not treated promptly and properly.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the RSPCA and other animal welfare organizations hope that this episode will serve as a wake-up call for pet owners across the UK. With climate change making extreme weather events more frequent and intense, understanding the unique vulnerabilities of animals—and how to protect them—has never been more important. The simple act of avoiding a damp towel over a dog’s body could mean the difference between life and death in the days ahead.
For more detailed advice, the RSPCA urges owners to visit its website, where comprehensive guidance on hot weather pet care is available. As the country braces for more hot summers in the future, this knowledge may prove invaluable for keeping man’s best friend safe and healthy—no matter how high the temperature climbs.