Heat in the city: protecting dogs and cats in Berlin

Rising temperatures and strong sunshine bring particular dangers for dogs and cats. If your pet is suffering in the heat, our practice in Reinickendorf is there for you around the clock.

Why heat is so hard on dogs and cats

Unlike us, dogs and cats can hardly sweat. They regulate their temperature mainly by panting and through the sweat glands in their paw pads. This makes them particularly vulnerable to high temperatures in summer.

Hot asphalt: let your dog walk on grass

In the sun, asphalt and paving heat up a lot and can burn dogs’ paws. On hot days, it is better to let your dog walk on grass. How to keep paw pads healthy all year round is explained in our article on paw care for dogs.

Move walks to the cooler hours

Move longer walks to the morning or evening. Give your pet rest breaks and shady places, and above all make sure it has enough fresh drinking water.

Particularly at risk: short-nosed breeds

Short-nosed breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers find high temperatures especially hard to cope with. On hot days, keep a particularly close eye on these at-risk breeds.

The car: even a short time is too long

On warm days, the temperature inside a parked car rises sharply within just a few minutes. Leaving your pet in the car, even briefly, is therefore an absolute no-go – for dogs, it also violates the German Dog Welfare Ordinance (Tierschutz-Hundeverordnung). What to bear in mind when travelling with dogs and cats is covered in our checklist for car travel with dogs and cats.

Overheating: see a vet at once

If your pet does overheat despite all precautions, do not wait – see a vet immediately. Call us on the way: 030 / 412 73 57. We are open 24 hours a day, including weekends and public holidays, and there is always a vet on site. Everything you need to know about our emergency vet service in Berlin is on a separate page.

Suspect overheating? Come to us at Scharnweberstraße 136 straight away and call ahead if you can: 030 / 412 73 57. An overview of what we offer is available under Services.