Dog owners urged to stop walking pets and do 1 thing instead as 37C heatwave to hit UK

Danny suggests letting your dog sniff around the house, and giving it the chance to hunt and find items around your property, which will have them running and walking around the house, and it will keep them mentally stimulated. 

He revealed: “According to experts, just 20 minutes of sniffing is as enriching for dogs as a one-hour walk, so games that involve your dog putting their nose to work are a great shout. One of my favourite sniffing games to play at home is to scrunch up pieces of paper and hide treats inside for our dogs to find.

“You can build on this activity by filling a box with a scrunched-up paper and other noisy household materials and hiding treats in a dispensing dog toy.”

According to the Kenel Club, temperatures above 27C are considered too hot for walking your dog. Instead, you should try to entertain them inside. Between 20C and 23C, you should start taking precautions, such as sticking to shady areas on your route. 

Temperatures between 24C and 26C are “risky territory,” and you should only take your dog out of it if it is “absolutely necessary.” Make it a quick and shaded stroll to reduce the risk of your dog overheating. 

When temperatures exceed 27C, it is “too dangerous” to walk your dog. Every dog is different, and certain dogs will find walks difficult in even lower temperatures.

Breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs are at a higher risk of overheating than other dog breeds. 

Additionally, overweight dogs, those over eight years old, and those under six months old might find hotter days particularly hard, so it is a good idea to keep them indoors when temperatures are in the mid- to late 20s.