Dog owners have been warned against leaving their central heating on for their pets while they're at work.
As Storm Eunice brings strong winds and heavy rain to the UK, dog lovers have been questioning whether a warm home would help sooth their pets.
According to E.ON Energy UK, nearly three quarters of British pet owners say they leave their heating on just for their pets when they leave the home.
They found 27 per cent of owners keep the temperature at 20C, which is the same as they'd turn it to when trying to warm up themselves.
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Writing on Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert, one user asked: "Last year, when I left my dog at home, I left the central healing on for him.
"I am wondering if I need to do this. He's a Pomeranian so very fury but, of course, he is used to living in a warm home.
"I'm worried if I don't leave the heating on he will get cold."
While another user added: "I leave the heating on about 17C but it's not for the dog's benefit, it's for mine when I get in.
"However, Gitdog is a heat seeking missile and would probably leave home if the temperature dropped much lower even with his fleecy blanket."
A third user said: "My dog is three-years-old and I live in a mid terrace house which helps keep the temperature up.
"He has an igloo bed with a good cushioned base so even the bottom of the bed stays warm.
"I probably don't need to leave the heating on as often as I do or as high as I do. I was leaving it on at 18C."
However, Energy Savings Trust claim owners could be spending as much as £140 a year just to keep their pets warm while they're out the house.
Animal expert Jennifer Dean said: “By and large, our cats and dogs are designed for the outdoors and unless they’re particularly vulnerable in terms of their health, or they’re young puppies, you don’t need to leave the central heating on for them when you’re out of the house, even if the mercury plummets outside.
“The internal body temperature for cats and dogs is around 3C to 4C higher than for humans, meaning they can be happy and comfortable in much lower temperatures than we can tolerate.
“So provided you don’t leave them more than a few hours, your home will retain enough heat to keep them happy while you’re away. Leave plenty of blankets and comfy beds for them to snuggle into while you’re away.”
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