How to survive extreme heat in Barcelona and Madrid: a practical guide for people and animals

In Madrid, the municipal plan CALORMAD 2026 reminds us that extreme heat especially affects older people, babies, children, people with disabilities, people without housing, athletes, and outdoor workers.

In Barcelona, the network of climate shelters has expanded greatly in recent years: by 2026 it includes more than 500 spaces, most of them indoors and air-conditioned. In Madrid, the heat response plan includes municipal resources, senior centres, markets, and social services for vulnerable people.

Basic tips for surviving extreme heat

Avoid going out between 12:00 and 18:00, especially if you plan to walk a lot, exercise, or travel with children, older people, or animals.

Drink water even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid excessive alcohol, very sugary drinks, and coffee, as they can contribute to dehydration.

Lower blinds during the sunniest hours and ventilate your home at night or early in the morning.

Seek out climate shelters: libraries, civic centres, markets, senior centres, museums, or other air-conditioned public facilities.

Wear light, breathable, light-coloured clothing. Cover your head if you’ll be in the sun.

Eat light: fruit, salads, gazpacho, vegetables, cold pulses, and dishes with a high water content.

Watch for warning signs: dizziness, confusion, very hot skin, severe headache, nausea, rapid pulse, or fainting. In an emergency, call 112.

How to protect dogs, cats, and other animals

Animals also suffer in the heat, and in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, asphalt, balconies, and cars can become dangerous traps. Madrid Salud warns that the most frequent cases of heatstroke in dogs and cats occur when they are left in cars, on terraces, or balconies for long periods in high temperatures.

Never leave an animal inside a car, not even “for five minutes” or with the window slightly open.

Don’t leave dogs or cats shut on balconies, terraces, patios without shade, or poorly ventilated rooms.

Walk your dog very early or after sunset. Avoid the hottest hours of the day.

Before going out, touch the asphalt with the back of your hand for five seconds. If it burns, it can also burn their paw pads.

Take fresh water on every walk and offer small amounts frequently.

Don’t shave your animal’s fur without consulting a vet: in some cases, their coat protects them from the sun.

Cool their resting area with cooling mats, damp towels, or gentle ventilation.

Pay special attention to puppies, older animals, brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs or pugs, overweight animals, or those with heart or breathing problems.

What to do if an animal suffers heatstroke

If you see excessive panting, weakness, vomiting, very red or pale gums, disorientation, tremors, or collapse, act quickly.

Move the animal to a cool place, offer water without forcing them to drink, and wet their body with cool (never ice-cold) water. Madrid Salud recommends taking them to a cool place where they can breathe easily, giving them water, and going to a veterinary clinic if symptoms persist.

Homeless animals: a simple gesture can save their lives

During heatwaves, animals living on the street are especially vulnerable. Cats from feral colonies, urban birds, hedgehogs, or abandoned dogs don’t always find enough shade or water to cope with temperatures above 35 or 40 °C.

One of the simplest ways to help is to place a container of clean water in a shaded spot, especially near feral cat colonies or gardens where birds gather. Change the water daily and place the bowl where it won’t block pedestrians or vehicles.

If you help with a feral cat colony, try to feed the cats early in the morning or after sunset, when the heat is less intense. Wet food should be removed quickly to prevent it spoiling in the heat.

Birds also need help in summer. A shallow container of water can let them drink and cool off. It’s important to place it in an area protected from cats and direct sun.

If you find an animal that is disoriented, immobile, breathing with difficulty, or showing signs of heatstroke, try to move it to a cool area without handling it more than necessary and contact the relevant services. In Barcelona you can notify the Guardia Urbana (092) or the Centre d’Acollida d’Animals de Companyia de Barcelona (CAACB). In Madrid, incidents involving animals in public spaces can be reported to the Policía Municipal (092) or 112, which coordinates with municipal veterinary services in urgent situations.

It’s also important to remember that many wild animals, such as swifts, swallows, or small mammals, may be exhausted by the heat. If you’re unsure how to act, it’s best to contact a wildlife recovery centre or municipal services before trying to feed or move them yourself.

Small gestures like leaving water out, alerting the right services, or checking that an animal isn’t trapped in a vehicle can make a difference during a heatwave.

Useful phone numbers and services in Barcelona and Madrid

General emergencies:

112 — for heatstroke, disoriented people, animals in serious danger, fires, or urgent situations.

Barcelona:

010 — municipal information, climate shelters, and citizen services.

092 Guardia Urbana — urgent situations in public spaces.

CAACB — Centre d’Acollida d’Animals de Companyia de Barcelona: Carretera de l’Arrabassada, 250, 08035 Barcelona. Tel.: 934 284 417. The Oficial de Veterinaris de Barcelona lists this address and phone number, and notes that these centres handle collection, custody, and emergencies involving injured or aggressive animals.

24 h veterinary emergencies Balmesvet: Carrer de Balmes, 205, Barcelona. Tel.: 931 173 173. The centre offers 24 h, 365-day care for dogs and cats.

Madrid:

010 — municipal information and resources during heatwaves.

112 — emergencies.

092 Policía Municipal — urgent incidents in public spaces.

Centro de Protección Animal de Madrid: Tel.: 913 094 135, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 17:00. Outside these hours, at weekends and on public holidays, urgent incidents involving injured, sick, or at-risk animals are referred to SEVEMUR via 092 or 112.

Madrid Salud offers specific recommendations to protect pets from heatstroke.

Extreme heat isn’t just fought with air conditioning. It also means looking out for others: calling an older person who lives alone, offering water to someone working outdoors, alerting authorities if you see someone disoriented, and acting quickly if an animal is trapped, abandoned, or in danger. In summer, surviving the city also depends on looking out for each other.