The RSPCA is encouraging owners to prepare their pets as the UK looks forward to a spell of warm weather. 

The charity’s advice comes as the Met Office announced ‘a warm spell is on the way,’ predicting temperatures into the mid 20s for much of the UK. 

 
The warm temperatures are likely to peak today (August 18) and tomorrow (August 19) as the mercury rises into the high 20s in some parts of the UK. Forecasters also warn that thunderstorms may accompany the heat. 

From April to July last year, traffic to the RSPCA’s website hot weather advice pages soared by 650 per cent as temperatures rose and the summer months arrived.  

Dog welfare specialist at the RSPCA, Esme Wheeler, said: “We’ve had a period of cooler weather recently, so this upcoming ‘return’ to summer is naturally going to get people excited to be out and about and making the most of it, but it’s important we don’t forget the impact of any warm weather on our pets.  

“It may be a short burst of heat, but our pets still need us to treat it with extra caution and put everything we can in place to keep them safe. 

Esme added: “Hot weather, even in short bouts, poses a huge risk to animal welfare, with everything from sunburn to heat stroke, dehydration and burned paws from hot pavements. If owners aren’t prepared during this time, it could be an absolute disaster for pet welfare.  

“If every pet owner can arm themselves with the knowledge to detect the early signs of heatstroke, as well as get into the habit of appropriately leaving their dogs at home in a cool, well-ventilated space at the first sign of hot weather, we really believe many animals’ lives will be saved.  

“Our message is simple - if in doubt, don’t go out. It can be really tempting when the weather is suddenly really hot again, but too many times we have seen people out running with their dogs, cycling with their dogs running alongside, or throwing balls for their dogs during hot weather, with beloved pets often left panting heavily and at serious risk of overheating.”