'Avoid midday walks' — pets at risk of heat-related illness too

The heat wave shows no sign of letting up. On Friday, Seoul's southeastern districts came under a heat wave advisory for the first time in three days. As temperatures remain extreme, the risk of heat-related illness in pets is rising — and owners need to take precautions. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has outlined key safety guidelines for pet owners.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Saturday, the three behaviors most dangerous to pets during a heat wave are leaving them unattended in vehicles, walking them at midday and letting them walk on hot asphalt.

Dogs have only a small number of sweat glands, located on their paw pads and around their noses, and their ability to regulate body temperature through sweating is far more limited than that of humans. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures makes them highly vulnerable to heat-related conditions such as heatstroke, dehydration and respiratory distress.

The city urged owners to provide pets with clean water and adequate shade during the heat wave, and to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Outdoor activity should be limited during extreme heat, but when a walk is unavoidable, early morning or evening hours — when temperatures are lower — are strongly recommended. Hot asphalt at midday can burn a dog's paw pads.

Temperatures inside a parked vehicle rise extremely quickly, and leaving a pet alone inside — even briefly — can lead to life-threatening heatstroke.

Owners should suspect heatstroke if a pet shows signs such as excessive panting, heavy drooling, reddened gums, staggering, vomiting or loss of consciousness.

In such cases, move the animal to a cool location immediately, dampen its body with lukewarm or cool water to bring down its temperature, and seek veterinary care without delay. The full safety guidelines are available on the Garden City Seoul website and through the social media channels of the Seoul Metropolitan Animal Welfare Support Center.

"A heat wave is a life-threatening disaster not only for people but also for pets," said Kim Young-hwan, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Garden City Bureau. "Please make sure to follow the basic rules — provide enough water, adjust walk times, and never leave your pet in a vehicle."