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Carlos Orit, 67, tends to his six rescue dogs inside a pedicab that also doubles as his home along Taft Avenue in Manila on May 24, 2025. Daniel Jacob, ABS-CBN News

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FURPARENT-CARLOS

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — As the hot and dry season intensifies across the Philippines, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), on Wednesday, urged pet owners to take extra precautions, warning that heat stroke remains one of the most common and dangerous health risks for companion animals during extreme heat.Dr. Anne Almazar, a veterinarian from PAWS, said many cases become critical because owners often fail to recognize the early warning signs until the condition has already worsened.“Ang very common po na heat-related health risks sa mga pets ay heat stroke. Ang symptoms po niyan is nakaka-categorize siya into mild, moderate, and severe. But most of the time, iyong mga pet owners natin, napapansin na lang nila na heat stroke na pala iyong pet kapag nandoon na sa severe. So it&#x27;s very important na initial signs pa lang, familiar na tayo,” Almazar said.She said pet owners should immediately watch for excessive panting or very fast breathing, heavy drooling, bright red gums, and unusually high body temperature, all of which may indicate the animal is already under heat stress.Almazar described the current heat conditions as a serious animal welfare concern, especially for households that do not have access to air conditioned spaces.“Iyong sobrang init po ng panahon is considered a serious welfare concern para sa mga pets kasi unang-una, hindi naman po lahat tayo ay capable i-air condition iyong ating mga alaga during summer season. Pangalawa, hindi natin sila katulad. Hindi nila kayang i-regulate iyong kanilang body temperature just like us humans can,” she explained.She emphasized that pet ownership comes with a duty to protect animals from preventable harm, especially during extreme weather. Owners, she said, must ensure pets have access to fresh water at all times and are never left exposed to direct heat.Almazar also reminded pet owners not to leave animals behind when going on vacation, stressing that abandonment remains a serious welfare issue even if it is only temporary.For households without air conditioning, Almazar advised pet owners to identify the coolest part of the home and let their pets stay there during the hottest hours of the day.“Always mag-provide po tayo ng fresh water sa kanila, kahit sana bentilador man lang or electric fan ma-provide natin para magkaroon ng active cooling. And then, meron naman po tayong mga cooling pads na available sa market. So, pwede natin silang bilhan no’n. Makakatulong po iyon to ease iyong heat,” she advised.She likewise cautioned against taking pets outside during peak daytime heat, especially making them walk on concrete surfaces that can severely burn their paws.Almazar cited a recent case involving a dog whose paw pads were badly burned after walking on hot pavement.“So, if i-walk po ninyo iyong inyong mga pets, maganda na early morning or sa hapon na lang kung saan hindi po tirik iyong araw. If mapapaso iyong kamay ninyo sa semento, it&#x27;s a sign na mapapaso rin po iyong paa ng inyong mga alaga,” she said.Aside from timing outdoor walks properly, Almazar said regular grooming can help pets cope better with high temperatures, especially those with thick or long coats. She also advised owners to bring water whenever pets are taken outdoors, whether for walks or travel.Certain breeds and animals with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, she said. Among dogs, brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds such as shih tzus, pugs, and bulldogs face elevated risk. Among cats, long-haired breeds and certain pedigrees such as Maine coons, Persians, Himalayans, and Scottish folds are also more prone to heat stress.Almazar added that pets with obesity, heart disease, airway problems are the most at risk, along with those in their old age or the very young.She also warned owners against common but harmful mistakes during emergencies, including tying pets outside, leaving them inside parked vehicles, covering them when they are overheated, or bathing them in ice-cold water.“Ang pag-aalaga po kasi ng mga pets ay responsibility po ‘yan. Hindi naman sila nakakapagsalita, hindi nila nasasabi na mahi-heat stroke na pala sila. So, responsibility natin na i-provide sa kanila iyong safe environment. So, you have to make sure na hindi niyo po ‘yan itatali sa labas. Even sa car, huwag nyo po silang iiwanan,” she said.

As the hot and dry season intensifies across the Philippines, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), on Wednesday, urges pet owners to take extra precautions, warning that heat stroke remains one of the most common and dangerous health risks for companion animals during extreme heat.

As the hot and dry season intensifies across the Philippines, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), on Wednesday, urges pet owners to take extra precautions, warning that heat stroke remains one of the most common and dangerous health risks for companion animals during extreme heat.

PAWS shares ways to keep pets cool amid hot season

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PAWS shares ways to keep pets cool amid hot season

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 09, 2026 06:28 PM PHT

Read More:

pets

dogs

cats

heat stroke

animal welfare

PAWS

veterinary

hot and dry season

summer

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