The RSPCA is offering advice and tips for pet owners to keep dogs safe and comfortable as temperatures soar for a third heatwave – and how to help their canine companions keep cool amid regional hosepipe bans.
With the UK bracing for another intense heatwave – and temperatures set to soar to 35°C (95°F) in some areas – the RSPCA is calling on pet owners to get creative with their cooling efforts.
The Met Office has forecast temperatures for southern parts of the UK include highs of around 32°C (89.6°F) on Monday and Tuesday, rising to 33°C (91.4°F) on Wednesday, 34°C (93.2°F) on Thursday, and with isolated locations potentially reaching 35°C (95°F) on Friday and Saturday.
While regional hosepipe bans are in place across areas like Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, there are still plenty of creative, water-wise ways to keep pets cool without breaking the rules.
Dr Sam Gaines, pet welfare expert at the RSPCA said: “It’s vital we continue to do all we can to help our pets and other animals stay safe and comfortable and even those in areas with hosepipe bans can do plenty to keep cool without using sprinklers, hosepipes and paddling pools.”
RSPCA’s animal welfare experts are aiming to highlight the importance of pet owners taking extra care of their animals during sunny spells, practice a “dog lockdown” during high temperatures to avoid walking dogs completely, and reminding owners everywhere the warning that “dogs die in hot cars”, and those who see a dog in a hot car should call 999 immediately.
The call comes amid the charity’s Summer of Kindness, which is highlighting the kind acts people can do to help their pets and other animals in their communities.
Five ways to keep pets cool without a hose
- Water stations: Place extra water bowls in every room as a novelty for your dog to come and sniff, and add ice cubes to encourage hydration.
- DIY cooling mat: Wet a small towel and pop it in the freezer to get it nice and chilled, before placing on the floor for your pet to lie on (don’t cover your dog in the towel).
- Home made frozen treats and doggy ice cream: Freeze puzzle toys or Kongs with treats to provide cooling mental stimulation, or make your own easy frozen dog treats. Spread mashed banana and a small amount of peanut butter on a shallow lid or tupperware, and scatter a few treats, before freezing. It’s an easy, tasty frozen lick to keep your dog occupied – just be sure to supervise them.
- Play scent games or teach a new trick instead of walkies: Make your own scent game by cutting off the flaps of a medium cardboard box, filling it with cardboard toilet roll tubes (leaving space for the tubes to be pushed and moved around) and then hide a treat at the bottom of one of the tubes for your dog to find. Or you could teach your dog a new trick in a cool room.
- Create a breezy shade fort: Get creative by hanging sheets in the garden or living room to create a cool, shady hideaway. Use a fan to help circulate a breeze.
The advice comes as the charity launches its Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign coinciding with its busiest time as cruelty reports peak over summer.
Newly published statistics show in June, July and August last year the RSPCA received 6,322 cruelty calls to their emergency line last year which is one call every 10 minutes when the line is open. In comparison the charity took 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021 – showing a massive 64 per cent increase in just five years.
You can help by supporting the RSPCA’s Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign.
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