As temperatures soar to 32C in parts of the UK, dog owners are being urged to keep their dogs hydrated in the heat.
Dogs can suffer heatstroke in just minutes - and need to have their body temperature lowered gradually for the best chance of survival.
Owners have been sharing how they give their dogs ice cubes in the summer months to help cool them down - but their recommendations have been met with speculation from vet professionals.
Some suggest that giving dogs ice on hot days can actually make them bloated, a bigger risk for larger dogs.
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We asked experts to get to the truth of the matter, and the RSPCA says that giving ice to dogs is okay and even suggests giving pups all kinds of frozen goodies to keep their temperatures down.
"The RSPCA advises freezing a dog's water bowl or kong before putting water or fresh treats inside (to help keep them cool for longer).
"We also advise putting ice cubes into your pet's water or making frozen treats to help cool them down," a spokesperson for the animal rescue charity told the Mirror.
Some vets have said they think ice could potentially cause tooth damage for dogs, so it's a good idea to keep a watchful eye on them as they eat.
Dr Susan C Nelson, a clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University said to PetMD : “The larger and harder the cube, the higher the chance of this occurring.”
Offering dogs smaller cubes or even ice shavings can help prevent this problem.
Top tips for keeping dogs cool in hot weather
The RSPCA has some other top tips for keeping dogs cool in the hot weather :
- Give pups a damp towel to lie on or perhaps an ice pack wrapped in a towel
- Dogs will probably love a paddling pool to splash around in and stay cool.
Never leave your pooch in a hot car, even if it’s just for a short while. Temperatures can quickly rise to 47C which can result in death.
Use pet safe sun cream on exposed parts of your pets skin, so they don't get burnt.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
