Temperatures are set to soar across the UK this week and the Met Office has issued health warnings as the hot weather will climb to 33C in some areas.
Brits are expecting to really feel the heat on Tuesday (July 12) as the heatwave baking the country reaches its peak.
The hot weather could bring some dangerous health problems with it, but it's not just us humans who struggle in the heat - our beloved pets do too.
Dogs can find the hot weather particularly difficult thanks to their thick fur, so owners are being advised on ways of keeping them cool as the Met Office issues a heat warning.
Former RSPCA inspector Antony Joynes took to Twitter to warn pet owners about the problems of heat.
He said: "All animals can potentially suffer from heatstroke. Please don’t get caught out. It is our responsibility as pet owners to protect our pets.
"I’m particularly concerned about rabbits that are sat in hutches unable to escape the heat. Please put measures in place to keep them safe."
Here's how you can keep your dog cool during the warm weather.
How do I keep my dog cool in the heatwave?
There are a number of ways you can keep your dog cool in the summer heatwave, including taking a note of the weather and safety concerns around leaving your dog in the car.
Avoid leaving the dog in the car
Under no circumstances should you leave your dog in a baking car, even with the window open.
Yappy.com said: "Dogs die in hot cars – fact. Just a 2-degree rise in your dog’s temperature can kickstart heatstroke and fatalities can occur in just 15 minutes.
"Never ever leave your dog in the car on a warm day even with the window open or if you’re parked in the shade. Studies show that a car can heat up from 21 degrees to a dangerously high 32 degrees in just ten minutes."
For long journeys, a 30 minutes' rest outside of the car every three hours is also important.
Treat your dog according to their breed
You need to tailor your response to the hot weather depending on what kind of breed your dog is.
Thicker fur and shorter muzzles mean a dog can find it hard to cool down quickly, as panting is the only way they can keep cool.
The dog breeds most likely to suffer are as follows:
- Chow Chow
- Bulldog
- French bulldog
- Greyhound
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Cavalier King Charles spaniel
- Pug
- Golden retriever
- Springer spaniel
Watch the weather
Don't forget that in warm weather it can be hotter inside than out, so a period of time outside may be better for your dog, as long as they can find a spot in the shade.
Make sure indoor spaces are as cool as possible.
How do I bathe my dog?
One important thing to check when bathing your dog in a heatwave is making sure the water is not too warm.
The bath should be cooler than 37C and anything that feels warm on our skin is usually a bit hotter than this.
Temperatures over 37C can increase the dog's heart rate, which is not good for puppies and older dogs in particular.
You should also avoid getting water in the dog's nose and ears.
Yappy.com advised taking "urgent medical action" if your dog is "panting heavier and faster and normal".
You should first move them to a shaded area and offer them small amounts of water.
Yappy explained further steps: "Lie the dog on a wet towel and wet with tepid water, directing a fan on the dog or if you’re in the car, switch the air con on. This is the safest way to cool a dog down quickly.
"If the dog is really struggling, then you must call a vet immediately as every second counts – dogs can die in as little as 15 minutes."
