Pet owners issued heatwave warning over mistake that can be 'fatal'

Pet owners have been issued a warning as a spell of hot weather sweeps across the UK this week.

Temperatures in the south of England are forecast to hit peaks of 31C on Wednesday, with much of England basking in the mid-20s for the first half of the week. It marks a welcome break from the rainy spring, which saw 32 per cent more rainfall than the average in England and Wales according to the Met Office.

Oli Claydon, a Met Office spokesperson, said “it won’t be sunshine for everyone”, but will still be warm even where there is cloud cover during the week. He said the hottest temperatures will be in the South East of the country.

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The heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value, according to the Met Office. This is 25C for most of the UK, including Manchester, but rises to 28C in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher.

Amid the hot weather, the Met Office has published important advice on how to keep pets safe in the high temperatures. In particualr, there is one area of the home that you should think very carefully about leaving your pet.

A third of homeowners use their conservatories for their pets, according to data from Conservatory Insulations. These typically sunny spaces can seem like a great place for pets, but the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned that they pose significant risks to animal safety during hot weather, particularly without the correct insulation.

A BVA warning published on the Met Office website reads: “Never leave your pet inside a car or conservatory, even for a quick trip to the supermarket, as ‘not long’ can prove fatal.” Temperatures inside an insulated conservatory can rise to 40C, which can be hotter than California’s notorious Death Valley, yet two-thirds of 25 to 44 year-olds revealed their pets use the space more than they do.

Matt Forrest, Managing Director of Radcliffe-based Conservatory Insulations, said: "Insulating your conservatory is the easiest way to make sure you and your pets can still enjoy the space when the temperatures outside skyrocket."

The BVA said: "Never leave animals in cars, conservatories, outbuildings, or caravans on a warm day, even if it's overcast or just for a short while, as this can be fatal for them. They also advise making sure all pets have access to fresh water and shade during the heatwave.

Cool mats and fans can be also be used to cool your pets down. For rabbits and guinea pigs, you can provide extra shade by covering the top of wire mesh runs with damp towels.

Dog owners should avoid taking their pets out for a walk during the hottest part of the day. Breeds such as English or French bulldogs and pugs are at greater risk in summer. Their flat faces can make breathing difficult, and they struggle to cool down by panting, which is the main way for a dog to reduce its body temperature.

Animals may also need to be protected from sunburn, the BVA said. Some breeds of cats and dogs, particularly those with light-coloured or finer fur, may benefit from a 30SPF pet-safe sun cream, especially on the ear tips and noses, which are prone to sunburn.