How to keep your Greyhound safe in Hot Weather

Because they don't sweat, dogs can't cope with hot weather as well as people, and because Greyhounds generate a lot of heat from their muscles when moving, they are particularly at risk from heat stress. It can happen that a Greyhound will suddenly collapse and die from heat stress, so follow these tips for keeping the risk low:

1. Inactivity is the best protection. If it's hot, let your dog doze and leave walking until it's cooled.

2. Don't put them in a car after a walk until they've really cooled down.

3. If you've had to park in the sun, cool the car down before you put your Greyhound in. Bear in mind the upholstery and interior store heat and will take a while to cool, also if your dog lies on a hot surface it will heat him.

4. Watch out for sun shining through the car windows - even aircon won't offset the heating effect if the sun's directly on your dog. Use a blind (for example Halfords sell them £5-£11) or put your dog in a shaded part of the car, for example the back seat on the shady side.

5. Air conditioning was specially invented for transporting Greyhounds! Many inexpensive cars (and even some vans) have it now. The lower temperature obviously makes a big difference and the reduced humidity makes panting more effective.

6. Cooled air from the vents warms up as it goes through the car. If your dog is back in the load area you'll need to run the aircon flat out to make much difference there. Wrap up a bit yourself so the front isn't too cold for you, also direct the fascia vents to the back, along the windows and between the seats.

7. Carry your dog in the back seat if possible, the air will be cooler and there'll generally be a choice of sunny or shaded side.

8. If your car doesn't have aircon, open both a front and a back window on the same side of the car (generally the left side is a bit quieter). The wind will flow in through the back window and circulate strongly before being sucked out of the front window. Bear in mind that in the load area your dog will be shielded somewhat by the seat back, so it needs to be good and draughty!

9. Don't just open a front window, it will suck all the air from the vents straight out, leaving the air at the back of the car static. There are always built-in vents for air to flow out at the back of the car, hidden by trim.

10. If your Greyhound is panting persistently, put a damp tea towel on him. If he's lying on one side put it over the tummy area, it will cool the area underneath. Make sure you don't let it dry out though, or it will have the opposite effect! If he seems distressed, rub water directly into his coat for an immediate reduction in his body temperature.

11. Dogs will follow you anywhere, so don't be guided by their willingness to come on a walk. If they start to trail behind, take it as a serious warning, get them out of the sun and let them lie down.

12. Greyhounds love sunshine, so don't overdo the caution, but don't rely on them being sensible on a hot day! Air temperature and wind make a big difference, as do the level of exertion and the age and fitness of the dog.