What amazing weather we're having at the moment, as lovely as it is it is extremely hard on our pets.
As a dog walker I am completely responsible for the dogs I walk when they are in my care. I take absolutely no chances and therefore make changes to my walks as my priority is the dogs welfare.
I always carry water and offer the dogs drinks regularly.
We avoid pavements as much as possible, if it's too hot for you to walk on for 30 seconds then it's too hot for their paws!
We follow the shade! wherever we go we always walk along the shady bits.
River walks and woodland are perfect for walks, especially for little dippers and swimmers. Love seeing them having so much fun in the water!
Under no circumstances do I EVER leave a dog in a car. If we are using the car then as well as being secure they have a cool pad, excellent air conditioning and they come out with me if I have to pick up another dog. I will only take two dogs out from different households in hot weather as I do not want any dogs left in the car while I pick up another dog.
It's not only in cars that dogs can overheat and die in, it's in their own home too! When people are at home with their dogs they normally have the windows open, fan on etc to keep themselves cool. When they go out it's vital to remember that their dog and pets still need to keep just as cool.
You should always check the temperature, if it's too hot for you it's going to be way to hot for them, remember they are wearing a fur coat!
Always leave plenty of water.
Keep a window open
Keep a fan on
Use a cooling mat
Fill a drinks bottle with water then freeze it and leave it out for you're pets.
Keep you're curtains closed if it makes room room cooler and out of direct sunlight.
Put ice cubes in their water bowl
Make a big ice cube block, filling it with treats before you freeze it. Will be fun for you're dogs as well as keeping them cool!
There's plenty of fun to be had in the sun with you and you're furbabies just make sure you do everything you can to protect them, you can't turn the clock back and it's you're responsibility to make sure they are happy and healthy.
We also mustn't forget our pets that live in the garden in a hutch, please, please make sure they are in the shade and they have plenty of water. Maybe use a cool mat, put crushed ice in their water bottle and freeze a plastic bottle with water and leave it in their hutch so they can cool down by licking the bottle of laying down over it.
If you do see a dog in a car in extreme heat please call 999 immediately!
Similarly, if you suspect an animal is suffering because they have not been cared for properly during the hot weather e.g. left at home all day with no ventilation, water, shade etc then please call you're local RSPCA.
We hope you and your pets have a fantastic summer! 😊🌞🐕🐈🐭🐁🐀🐇🐿🐦