How To Care For Your Dog In A Heatwave

In summer, especially in the heat we've had so far, it's not always possible to walk your dog during the day, so having a supply of healthy dog treats to keep them stimulated is really important. If you don't, their behaviour could deteriorate through boredom alone! It’s important you keep walk times to the cooler parts of the day in the morning or evening when the sun is down, avoiding midday when temperatures will be at their hottest, but this isn't the only way you should care for your dog during a heatwave – check out these tips from BT.com for more ideas. Make sure plenty of fresh water is available to your pet and pop some ice cubes into their bowl to make sure the water stays cold and refreshing. Dogs do love to sit in the sunny spots in the garden, but if you can encourage them to sit in a shady spot by laying out a damp towel to keep them cool and avoiding excessive exposure to bright sunlight. Another great way to keep your dog cool is to put a paddling pool in your garden that they can go in and out of – they're sure to have a lot of fun, but check there are no water restrictions in your area before filling up. Dogs can still get sunburn so purchase a pet friendly sun screen and apply to the hairless areas of your pet such as nose, and exposed area of the ears. When you do choose to walk your dog on a hot day, even at cooler times, it can still be very warm. Avoid pavement that has been exposed to direct sunlight as it may burn paws. Always check the temperature of the pavement with your hand before heading out on a walk.