Heat safety guidelines for dogs and cats in Italy

Pet owners in Italy are advised to take specific measures to protect dogs and cats from high summer temperatures. Animals regulate body heat through panting, breathing and grooming, but humidity and extreme heat can overwhelm these mechanisms, leading to heat stress or heatstroke.

Key recommendations include providing ample fresh water, offering cool surfaces or cooling mats, limiting walks to the cooler early‑morning or evening hours, and ensuring access to shade and ventilation. Owners should monitor for warning signs such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, or collapse, and act quickly with gentle cooling and hydration if symptoms appear. Older pets and brachycephalic breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and boxers are especially vulnerable and require extra caution.

The guidance also suggests practical steps like using wide water bowls, adding moisture‑rich food, testing pavement temperature with the back of a hand, and avoiding large ice cubes that could harm healthy animals. By following these routines, owners can reduce the risk of heat‑related emergencies for their companion animals.