With temperatures set to soar to over 30°C later this month, pet experts have offered some advice – on how to safely help dogs who are struggling in the heat.
Some of the top tips include keeping dogs hydrated, watching out for hot surfaces, and knowing the signs of heatstroke – with one in four dog owners admitting they struggle with this last one.
Carrying something like a windbreak or pop-up tent with you when out and about with your pooch, to help provide them with some shade, can also be beneficial in helping them cope with rising temperatures.
And applying pet-friendly suncream to help protect their skin also made the list of top five tips – although a poll of 2,000 dog owners found that just 19% regularly do this for their canine companion during the hotter months.
It comes as nearly two-thirds of dog owners (63%) claim they worry about their furry friend overheating – but 41% admit they struggle when it comes to helping their pets cope with the heat.
And some of the ways they do try to cool their dogs down are advised against by pet experts – such as letting them swimming in open water (35%), or pouring ice cold water over their feet, toes, or head (21%).
The research was commissioned by Pets At Home – which is touring the UK with an ice-cream van serving frozen treats especially for dogs, ahead of the rumoured heatwave later this month.
The van is currently rolling through 10 towns and cities across the UK – including Bristol, Great Yarmouth, and Derby – to dish out dog-friendly frozen yoghurts free of charge.
And the take on the traditional vehicle will have experts onboard to help owners understand the best ways to keep their beloved pups cool and relaxed when temperatures are high.
An expert from Pets at Home, which commissioned the research of 2,000 dog owners, said: “We love our pets, and want to do the right thing by them.
“But it's clear from this research that many owners aren't sure on the best way to help keep their dogs cool during hot summer weather.
“Dogs don’t sweat like humans, and instead cool themselves down by panting – but on really hot days, they’re likely to need extra help to bring their temperature down and avoid overheating.
“The best way to do this is to make sure they have cooling mats, shaded areas, and that they’re regularly drinking cool water. It’s fine to cool this using ice.
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“There’s lots of ways we can support owners in keeping their pets safe this summer, and we’re excited to meet many of them while onboard our ice-cream van – not only to give them and their dogs treats, but to share invaluable advice, too.”
When it comes to the key indicators of heatstroke, it emerged that only 38% correctly named “confusion” as a sign – with upset tummies (31%), and bright red or pale gums (19%), are other common giveaways.
Thankfully, owners do understand some of the steps you can take to keep dogs cool – with 70% keeping them out of hot conservatories or rooms, and six in ten giving them cooling mats to lie on.
During the summer months, 78% will only walk their four-legged friends in the early morning or evening, in order to miss the day’s hottest temperatures – yet only 65% will take routes that avoid hot pavements, to protect their pup’s paws.
On average, dog owners will stop going on their usual walks when the temperature hits 24°C, according to the OnePoll.com study.
When it comes to car journeys with their pooch, 56% will only travel at cooler times in the day, and 55% take extra water breaks so their pet can rehydrate.
But despite the increased health dangers, 57% don’t take their pet to the park any less than they typically would if the weather is warmer, and only 19% apply pet-friendly suncream.
FIVE TOP TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PETS COOL IN HOT WEATHER:
- Know the signs of heatstroke. Heatstroke can develop rapidly, so it’s important to know the signs to look out for – including rapid breathing or panting, lethargy, and any odd behaviour.
- Keep them hydrated. Ice cubes are great for keeping pets hydrated, so try popping some in their water bowl if it gets really hot – but make sure they are an appropriate size, and that you supervise them while they’re enjoying their treat.
- Bring the shade. If you’re going out for the day, consider bringing a windbreak or pop-up tent so they have somewhere to lie down out of direct sunshine, and take plenty of fresh water with you.
- Watch out for hot surfaces. Make sure to check the surface temperature with the back of your hand before letting your pet wander, and always look for natural grass, as the artificial type can heat up rapidly in hot weather. On really hot days, it’s best to stick only to shaded areas where it’s much cooler.
- Don't forget pet-friendly suncream. If your pet is going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, it's a good idea to apply some pet-friendly suncream, which has specifically been designed for them to help protect their skin.
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