Metro Manila’s heat has become visible in unusual ways this week. Along Taft Avenue, water trucks under the city’s “Oplan Misty” initiative have been spraying cooling mist over pedestrians trying to get through the afternoon heat. PAGASA has also placed multiple areas under “danger” level heat indices in recent days, with temperatures severe enough to disrupt daily routines across the country.
But while people can move indoors, hydrate, or slow down when the heat becomes unbearable, pets often have far fewer ways to regulate it.
“Dogs and cats can’t sweat the way humans do,” says Dr. Roxanne Ignacio, resident veterinarian at Jads4 Animal Clinic. “They have a few sweat glands in their paw pads, but those contribute almost nothing to cooling. Their real cooling system is panting, which works through evaporation from the tongue and airways. Once humidity climbs above 70 percent, panting becomes much less efficient. Even an average-temperature day can overwhelm a pet’s ability to cool down.”
That’s what makes heat stress in animals easy to miss at first. It rarely begins dramatically. Sometimes it looks like a dog refusing to leave the bathroom floor or a cat suddenly stretching across cold tiles. Restlessness. Heavy panting that owners mistake for ordinary exhaustion after a walk. The dangerous signs tend to appear later. By the time you see drooling that won’t stop, bright red gums, or an unsteady walk, the situation has already become an emergency.
According to Dr. Ignacio, fur parents can monitor dehydration at home using two quick checks. The first involves the gums. “Healthy gums are slick and pink. When you press them lightly, the color should return within two seconds. If they’re tacky, pale, or slow to refill, the pet is already dehydrated.”
The second involves gently lifting the skin between the shoulders. “If it sags or returns slowly, that’s a sign to call a vet,” she says.
When a pet is already overheating, immediate response becomes critical. “Move them to [a shaded or air-conditioned area], and wet their belly, paw pads, and the inside of their hind legs with cool water, not ice cold. Ice water tightens the surface blood vessels and traps heat in the body’s core. Cool water actually lets the heat escape. Then bring them to a vet immediately.”
Some pets are at higher risk during extreme heat. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, French Bulldogs, and Persians have naturally shortened airways, which impair their ability to cool down by panting. “These breeds can spiral quickly,” says Dr. Ignacio. “Even a short morning walk can put one in distress.” Older pets, very young animals, and those on heart or kidney medications are also more susceptible during very hot weather.
Veterinarians emphasize that prevention primarily relies on consistency rather than drastic measures. The safest times for walks are before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m., when the pavement has cooled. Owners can perform the five-second test by pressing the back of their hand against the concrete; if it’s too hot to stay there for five seconds, it’s likely too hot for paws too. Shortening walk durations, choosing shaded routes, and carrying water during brief outings can further minimize heat exposure.
Inside the home, cooling matters just as much. Pets should have access to multiple bowls of fresh water and cooler resting areas with tile flooring, fans, or cooling mats. Heat-trapping spaces like parked cars, enclosed balconies, or poorly ventilated rooms can quickly become dangerous even within minutes.
For especially humid afternoons, some owners also rely on small cooling routines between baths. Keeping a pet-safe grooming spray chilled in the refrigerator can help provide quick relief when temperatures peak. Dr. Shiba’s Magic Mist is one example often used for this purpose. The spray refreshes and disinfects the coat without harsh chemicals, making it useful after walks or during humid afternoons when a full bath may not be practical.
Even after walks end, the heat can linger on a pet’s body and paws. Veterinarians recommend wiping paws with a damp cloth to remove pavement grime, hot tar, or stray debris, then checking carefully between the toes for cuts or burns before letting pets settle back into play.
Manila’s heat will continue to rise and fall through the rest of May. But for pets experiencing every degree of it close to the ground, relief often depends entirely on the people caring for them.