Barcelona pet owners are being urged to plan ahead as summer approaches, with vets warning about heatstroke, fireworks, sunburn and parasite risks. Marina Fernández, from Borrell Clínica Veterinària, says routines should be adjusted from June through September to help animals cope with the heat.
Walks should be moved to the cooler early morning and evening hours, and shaded routes are best where possible. Catalin Ciprian, from TC Dog Care, says pavements can become dangerously hot for paws, and he carries water for drinking, cooling paws or underbellies, and rinsing urine, noting that Barcelona streets can become odorous in summer.
Fernández says dogs can deteriorate very quickly in high temperatures. She explains that a dog’s normal temperature is between 38 and 39 degrees, and that above 43 degrees, organs can fail. Pets should never be left in the sun without water and shade, including outside shops, on terraces or inside cars. Leaving pets on terraces is illegal all year round in Barcelona, and Fernández warns that a car can become fatal in around 15 minutes in summer, even with windows slightly open.
Owners of brachycephalic breeds, such as boxers, pugs and bulldogs, need extra care because short muzzles make breathing and cooling down harder. If a muzzle is needed, Fernández advises against fabric versions and recommends basket-style muzzles, which allow dogs to open their mouths properly, breathe, drink and take treats. Overweight animals and pets with heart problems are also at greater risk, so a pre-season vet check is sensible. She also says shaving a dog’s coat is a mistake, because the coat helps protect the skin.
Cats, especially white or pale ones, can suffer sunburn on their ears and noses, which can lead to skin cancer. Fernández advises using animal-specific sunblock. She also warns that Barcelona’s city beaches have rules for dogs, with a designated dog area at Llevant beach from May to September, but both sand and pets can get very hot if there is no shade. Dogs should not drink too much salt water or eat harmful items from the sea or sand, and access to city beaches for dogs becomes more restricted from April to October.
The Sant Joan festival, around 23 June, brings fireworks and noise that can unsettle pets. Owners should keep animals indoors with windows shut, give them a quiet place to retreat to, and stay calm rather than over-coddling nervous behaviour. Dogs should be kept on a lead around 23 June and during other noisy events such as La Mercè and neighbourhood festivals. Summer also brings more biting insects, so vaccinations and parasite prevention matter, including protection against leishmaniosis, fleas and ticks. Fernández says pet owners should take advice from their vet, not from the internet, and warns against sedatives because they can leave animals unable to move while still hearing and suffering.
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