Ireland is going through a serious spell of hot weather over the last few days, with Monday set to see a peak of 32C.
Sunday was the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures hitting as high as 29.9C in the Phoenix Park, which Met Éireann correctly predicted when issuing a status yellow alert last week.
But that's set to be eclipsed later today, as "exceptionally warm weather" will bring extreme conditions nationwide.
The highest temperature ever was 33.3C detected at Kilkenny Castle in June 1887 and while that may not be surpassed just yet, we'll still be left boiling in highs of 32C.
While we are more than able to deal with the conditions, our pets are not, particularly dogs.
Their fur and an inability to keep their own body temperatures regulated means that we need to be careful with how we treat our four-legged friends in heatwaves.
This is why Dogs Trust has issued some key tips and advice for what to do in hot weather with your dog.
When to walk dog in hot weather
Dogs Trust say: "Try to exercise your dog in the cooler parts of the day such as early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun isn’t so hot. Make sure not to over-do it either!
"Don’t forget to bring plenty of fresh water for your dog to drink when you are exercising them.
"Be especially careful with dogs that have white or very thin fur particularly around the ear tips and bridge of their nose."
There's even some better advice if you try to bring your pooch to the seaside for a dip.
The charity continues: "If you’re walking your dog near a body of water, it’s a good idea to keep them on a long lead so they can have a paddle while staying safe."
How to tell if your dog has heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke can include any number of the following:
- Excessive or rapid panting
- Red gums and tongue
- Heavy salivation
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lack of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
If you believe your pet pal is suffering, contact a vet immediately for advice.
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