With temperatures set to soar over the coming days in Britain, keeping our beloved dogs cool is vital. While many owners will splash out on costly cooling pads or paddling pools, experts believe a 70p misting spray of cold water may just be as effective.
The mercury is predicted to go beyond 30C in some part of the country, but keeping dogs hydrated and comfortable is easier said than done. Adding ice cubes to water bowls or treating them to a dog cooling toy are just some of the ways to help.
A spokesperson from retail company Tap Warehouse said: "Keep your pets cool with a spray bottle filled with cold water and gently spray over their body and feet. This will give a cooling effect and relax your pets as some can get distressed when they overheat.
"Better yet, reusable spray bottles can be bought for just 70p from The Range. You can also add regular ice cubes to your dog's water bowl to keep it cool or simply give them a few to chew on. It's a fun activity for them and it will also help them to cool down and hydrate.
"If you don’t already have an ice-cube tray at home you can get them for as little as £1 from Asda. There are countless freezable toys on the market, such as this £2.50 B&M's Ice Cream Cooling Toy, which is a fun way to cool your dog down during the warm weather. These toys are also good for teething."
The news comes after veterinary expert Dr Scott Miller revealed the best ways to keep dogs cool when it's hot outside. Dr Miller told the Mirror : "There are plenty of ways you can keep your pet safe from these higher temperatures and to make them feel more comfortable.
"One way is adding extra water to their food bowl. Soak their dry food and/or feed them wet food for additional hydration support."
Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke if temperatures are high enough. Heatstroke is very common and can cause significant acute and chronic health issues.
Whilst they can join us in the garden every now and then, Dr Miller recommends keeping it to the cooler hours of the day, such as the morning and evening, where the direct sunlight isn't as strong. Older dogs or brachycephalic, otherwise known as flat faced dogs, tend to be more sensitive to extreme temperatures.
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