The summer heat in the UAE can be intense. Climate change plays a big role in rising temperatures, which can sometimes reach as high as 50ºC in the region. And while this is uncomfortable for many humans, it can be intolerable for animals.
Whether it’s a pet or a stray, there are dangers to be aware of when it comes to dealing with the heat, most notably heatstroke, which can cause long-term health issues or even death, which was seen in the recent case of a Dubai dog that was accidentally left in a hot car for seven hours.
Dr Sara Elliott, director of veterinary services and owner at Dubai’s British Veterinary Hospital, says her clinic has seen an increase in emergency admissions and pet deaths because of heatstroke in recent months.
“After not seeing a single heatstroke case for two years, this year we've had had four dogs die on the way into our practice and four milder cases we have successfully treated because the owners got them to us in time,” she tells The National.
“On average, the healthy temperature of a cat or dog is anywhere between 38-39ºC, so if the ambient temperature is 40-50ºC, which it often is in the UAE during the summer months, there is enormous potential for that animal to suffer heatstroke."
The first signs of heatstroke in pets
Most pet owners should know the first signs of an overheated pet, but they can sometimes get overlooked. Elliott says it’s important to be watchful and act quickly.
She warns that panting will likely be the first noticeable symptom, progressing to open-mouth breathing as the animal tries to lower its body temperature.
“If you suspect your pet is suffering from heatstroke because you are observing panting, open-mouth breathing or any other of the common symptoms, you must take immediate action, as heatstroke can progress very quickly,” she says.
“Worsening symptoms include animals entering a distressed state, faster breathing and lying down,” she says. “If left untreated, an animal will collapse and be unable to stand, followed by seizures and organ failure.”
Any owner who notices this type of behaviour is encouraged to try and cool the animal immediately. Elliott suggests offering access to a cool environment with air-conditioning and cold drinking water. If this doesn't work, a trip to the vet is recommended.
“Should symptoms not improve, place cold, wet towels on your pet and place ice packs under the animal's armpits and groin. It's then vital to get your pet straight to a vet, ideally making the trip with the cold, wet towels still around the animal.”
A common misconception is that an animal needs to be directly outside in the sun to experience heatstroke, but that isn’t always the case. “In any environment that is hotter than an animal's average body temperature, indoors or outdoors, there is a risk of heatstroke,” she explains. “Both cats and dogs sweat through their paws, and when they have prolonged exposure to high temperatures, they simply lose the ability to regulate their own temperatures.”
Certain breeds of cats and dogs are more susceptible to getting heatstroke, including those with shortened upper respiratory passageways, such as pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats, she says. There is also a higher risk for animals with pre-existing conditions, such as obesity and heart disease.
What owners can do for their dogs in the summer
Summers can be tough for dog owners who still need to walk their pets outdoors. Elliott recommends you adjust your schedule and aim for early mornings, before the sun comes up if possible.
"This is preferable to an evening walk, as even though the sun has gone down, the pavement and road surfaces tend to retain heat and can be 5-10ºC hotter than the ambient temperature," she explains. "Also, humidity in the evenings tends to be higher than in the mornings, and this is another factor that contributes to your pet's ability to regulate its temperature."
In any environment that is hotter than an animal's average body temperature, indoors or outdoors, there is a risk of heatstroke
Dr Sara Elliott
While booties and cooling jackets are popularly used for dogs, she says owners still need to use their common sense. These can help pets cross roads or pavements and avoid paws from being burnt, but they don't necessarily prevent heatstroke.
If very early morning walks are not possible, Elliott offers other suggestions, such as setting up alternatives for exercise at home to help engage pets in physical activity and mental stimulation or visiting a licensed dog daycare centre.
"It's easy to set up an obstacle course for pets in your own home or just engage in active play. It's also worth remembering that mental activity is just as tiring for your pet, so why not take the opportunity this summer to invest more time in training?
"The UAE has several high-quality, supervised indoor dog parks and doggy daycare centres. These provide your dog with a great indoor, air-conditioned environment to exercise and socialise with other dogs without the risk of heatstroke."
Elliott says it's up to pet owners to be responsible and to find ways of keeping their pets safe from rising summer temperatures by learning more about the health dangers, and how to mitigate risks.
“As a general rule, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet. This is as true inside your home as it is outside,” she says. “Our pets rely on us to care for them, and that means educating yourself and anyone who comes into your home and cares for your pet about the risk factors. Ensure that you are supervising your pets and being extra vigilant during the hotter months.”
Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
Which products are to be taxed?
To be taxed:
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Products excluded from the ‘sweetened drink’ category would contain at least 75 per cent milk in a ready-to-drink form or as a milk substitute, baby formula, follow-up formula or baby food, beverages consumed for medicinal use and special dietary needs determined as per GCC Standardisation Organisation rules
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Canada
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The rules of the road keeping cyclists safe
Cyclists must wear a helmet, arm and knee pads
Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
They must place a number plate with reflective light to the back of the bike to alert road-users
Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
Tips for used car buyers
- Choose cars with GCC specifications
- Get a service history for cars less than five years old
- Don’t go cheap on the inspection
- Check for oil leaks
- Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
- Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
- Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
- Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
- If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell
Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Company%20Profile
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MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
Race card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
6.30pm: Liwa Oaisi Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
The National selections: 5pm: Flit Al Maury, 5.30pm: Sadah, 6pm: RB Seqondtonone, 6.30pm: RB Money To Burn, 7pm: SS Jalmood, 7.30pm: Dalaalaat
MATCH INFO
Asian Champions League, last 16, first leg:
Al Ain 2 Al Duhail 4
Second leg:
Tuesday, Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha. Kick off 7.30pm
