Dog owners warned: Popular cooling trick could be dangerous for overheated pets

As temperatures soar, dog owners are warned about a common misconception when cooling their pets in the heat: using ice.

This method can be useful for overheated pets to keep them hydrated, but it is not a quick fix.

Ross Hallifax from Purely Pets Insurance said, “It may seem like a good idea to give your dog lots of ice when they are overheated, but in instances of heatstroke it could be dangerous."

So instead of this, for dogs experiencing heatstroke, owners are advised to use water and, if the condition worsens, seek veterinary help.

"Signs of heatstroke can progress quickly and can include heavy panting, tiredness, drooling, sickness, stiffness, confusion, collapsing, lack of coordination, and breathing problems," the expert said.

“If your dog shows any sign of heat stroke, it's important to act fast," Hallifax went on.

"Move your dog to a cooler area immediately, call your vet, and try to cool their temperature back down by giving them small amounts of water and sponging them down with cool water."

In these situations, owners sometimes frantically applied ice to a dog with heatstroke.

Hallifax stressed that it would do more harm than good to the dog.

"It’s important that you do not use ice directly on your dog’s fur or try to cool them down too quickly, as this can lead to your pet going into shock," the expert concluded.