Europe heatwave sparks safety advice for pets and cooling homes

Stichting DierenLot warns that many pet owners fail to recognise early signs of overheating, which often begin subtly with silence, altered breathing, reduced contact, excessive panting, drooling, weakness, warm skin, reddened or pale mucous membranes, unsteady walking, vomiting or diarrhoea, and reduced responsiveness. The charity advises quickly moving the animal out of the sun, placing it in a cool area, cooling gently with wet cloths or lukewarm water (avoiding ice‑cold water), offering small amounts of water, and contacting a veterinarian for severe cases.

In response to the ongoing summer heatwave, a ten‑point guide outlines low‑energy ways to keep homes cool without relying on air‑conditioning. Recommendations include keeping curtains closed, opening windows with a damp cloth, using blinds or external shading, installing green roofs or wall vegetation, cultivating a green garden, turning off mechanical ventilation, using fans with ice, freezing bedding, unplugging unused devices, and improving insulation through heat‑pumps and solar panels. The advice targets households across the Netherlands and other European regions experiencing record temperatures and power‑supply challenges.