Animal expert Dr Scott Miller advised pet owners to regulate their pet's temperatures and to never leave them in a car under any circumstance.
The UK has been hit with a red weather warning as temperatures are expected to soar to 40C, meaning a risk to life is likely. This Morning's pet expert, Dr Scott Miller, joined the show to advise pet owners on the incredible risks their cats and dogs now face and how to battle them.
Dr Scott said under absolutely no circumstances, should a pet be left alone in a car, even with a window open. He added: "It's not something we're used to. The temperature of a car can increase a degree in minutes. This means they can suffer catastrophic shock in minutes and they can't thermoregulate because they're breathing in such hot air."
READ MORE: Met Office weather warning upgraded to red as UK to be hit by 40C extreme heat
The most common answer to rescuing a pet trapped in a car is to smash the window but Dr Scott said there are legal repercussions despite best intentions. He said: "It's tricky because it's classed as criminal damage. So what you need to do is to go into wherever you are, speak to a security guard and try and put on an announcement 'this is the registration and a dog is in distress.'
"If you stand out there and call the police they are legally allowed to break into the car if an animal is in distress. If you were standing there and did all the things you could, you'd want to break in but you do have to remember you will have to defend it in court."
Dr Scott advised those who do resort to breaking the glass to take photos of the incident and relay your reasons to anyone that may be relevant at the time. A legal loophole is in place that protects people if they are able to argue the pet's owner would want the incident to happen.
Heatstroke occurs in dogs when they are so overheated they can no longer manage their own body temperature through panting. Cats are able to groom their own bodies but when neither can enact these regulations, their salvia will become stringy and their gums will swell, eventually leading to collapsing and possibly seizures.
He noted pets with especially fair fur or with skin showing should have sunscreen applied consistently through the day to battle sunburn. The red weather warning is in place from Monday at 12am to Tuesday at 11.59pm. The Met Office said: "Exceptional, perhaps record-breaking, temperatures are likely on Monday, then again on Tuesday.
"Nights are also likely to be exceptionally warm for the UK, especially in urban areas. This is likely to lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure."
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