Salisbury dog rehoming charity calls for owners to vigilant during hot weather
The Dogs Trust says pets can easily overheat in the high temperatures
Dog owners in Wiltshire are being urged to ensure they take steps to keep their pets cool amid this weekend's heat wave.
Temperatures are predicted to approach 30 degrees in Salisbury today, and the Dogs Trust in Newton Toney says it can be easy for our pets to suffer heat stroke.
Senior Veterinary Surgeon with the charity, Victoria Henry, says owners will need to act quickly if their pet appears to be overheating.
"Heat stroke usually starts with very heavy panting. If you're out on a walk, they'll probably slow down and drool excessively. They may become drowsy and uncoordinated, they can suffer with vomiting and diarrhoea sometimes. And if it progresses, it can cause collapse," she said.
Should our pet be showing these signs, we're told to get them into shade or a room with air conditioning, offer them some water and cool them down by soaking their body with cold water.
We're also told to call our vet and to take our dog to them once they've cooled down.
Victoria said we can still take our dog out for exercise, but that we should avoid the hottest and most humid parts of the day by going early in the morning or late in the evening.
She added: "On really hot days, it's also fine just to not go out at all, a quick toilet break is all that's needed and you can keep them entertained in other ways such as food and puzzle toys."
Other ways we can keep our pets cool are use things like paddling pools, ensuring the water is cold.
Victoria advised people taking their dog out to check the temperature of the ground before going: "Put your hand down on the ground for five seconds. If it's too hot for you to hold your hand down, then it's probably too hot for their paws as well. Make sure you take water and make sure that your dog always has access to shade and take really regular breaks."
She added that breeds with flat faces, such as French Bulldogs or Pugs, and dogs with thick coats can struggle too, asking owners with those breeds to be extra vigilant.