Summer Tips for Pet Owners in Copenhagen

Heat is the biggest summer risk for dogs and cats. Most problems are easy to prevent if you plan walks, water and shade.

Who overheats fastest

Dogs and cats cool down mainly by panting. Dogs also sweat a little through their paw pads, but it isn't enough on a hot day. Some animals have a higher risk:

• Short-nosed breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats
• Overweight pets
• Older pets, puppies and kittens
• Pets with thick coats
• Pets with heart or breathing problems

Never leave a pet in a parked car

A parked car heats up fast. In a study with outdoor temperatures from 22 to 36°C, the inside of the car was about 10°C hotter after 10 minutes and about 16°C hotter after 20 minutes. Cracking a window barely slows this, and pets have died on mild, sunny days.

If you see a dog in distress in a parked car, call the police on 114. Call 112 if the dog is collapsing or the situation can't wait. Leaving an animal in a hot car can also break Danish animal welfare law.

Water and walks

• Put out fresh water in more than one place, and refill it often.
• Carry water and a small bowl on outings.
• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for paws. Walk on grass or in the shade instead.
• On very hot days, swap long walks for indoor play, such as puzzle feeders or short training sessions.

A sudden jump in how much your pet drinks can also point to illness, so mention it to your vet if it lasts.

Beaches and swimming

Dogs must be on a lead on Danish beaches from 1 April to 30 September, and some beaches ban dogs altogether. At Amager Strandpark dogs must be on a lead all year, and the beach on Strandøen is dog-free from 1 May to 31 August. Check the signs on site.

• Never force a reluctant dog into the water.
• Watch your dog the whole time it swims, and give breaks in the shade.
• Offer fresh water so it doesn't drink sea water.
• Rinse off salt after swimming.

Heat stroke: signs and first steps

Watch for heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting or diarrhoea, weakness, stumbling, and collapse.

If you think your pet has heat stroke:

1. Move it to shade or a cool room at once.
2. Cool it with cool water, not ice-cold water. Pour it over the body and add airflow from a fan or a breeze.
3. Offer small sips of cool water if it's awake and alert. Don't force water.
4. Call a vet straight away and get there quickly. Cool first, then travel, ideally with the air conditioning on.

Heat stroke is life-threatening, even if your pet seems to recover. Our clinic is open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10:00 to 16:00, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 09:00 to 17:00. Outside those hours, go to an emergency vet clinic.

Coat care

Don't shave double-coated breeds. The coat insulates against heat as well as cold and protects the skin from sunburn, and shaved coats can grow back patchy. Brush out the loose undercoat regularly instead. A groomer can advise on a light trim or de-shedding. See our grooming services.

Ticks, fleas and mosquitoes

Ticks and fleas are active in the warm months. Check your pet after walks in long grass or woods, and ask your vet which prevention suits your pet.

Heartworm, which mosquitoes spread, isn't established in Denmark. Cases here are in dogs that have travelled or been imported. If you're going to southern Europe, ask your vet about protection before you leave. Our veterinary team can help.

Food and cooling at home

• Feed in the cooler parts of the day, and keep dry food somewhere cool and dry.
• Throw away wet food your pet leaves out in the heat.
• Tile floors, a damp towel, a cooling mat or a frozen treat all help.
• Set fans safely, with cords out of reach, and never shut a pet in a room that gets full sun.

Travelling

In the car, never leave your pet alone, stop often in the shade, and carry water. Use a crash-tested carrier or restraint, and don't let your dog ride with its head out of the window, because debris can injure the eyes.

If you're going abroad, make sure the microchip details are current and bring the vaccination records. Our page on travelling with pets explains how to prepare. For buses, trains and the metro, check the operator's current rules for pets before you go.