Most dog owners know how important it is to keep pets cool during the hot weather; but not as many people know exactly how to achieve this.

Easter Bank Holiday weekend saw temperatures reach the mid 20’s. Although this was blissful for some, the RSPCA experienced a flood of calls to their hotline reporting animals suffering from heat exposure.

The animal welfare charity received 166 emergency calls over Easter weekend (Friday 19 – Monday 22 April 2019), which is almost two calls every hour, the majority of which related to dogs being left in hot cars. Places like Surrey and Greater London experienced some of the warmest of temperatures which reflected in the number of calls that came from both counties in relation to animals and heat exposure: Surrey had seven calls and seventeen more came from Greater London.

As much as we love the hot weather gracing the UK, it’s so important to bear dogs in mind. Leaving your dog in a hot car is illegal and puts them at serious risk of dehydration, overheating or even death. If your dog becomes ill or the action results in fatality, you could be prosecuted for animal neglect, which carries a punishment of up to six months in custody or a hefty £20,000 fine.

Many owners believe that leaving the window open slightly or parking in the shade keeps the dog safe, however the RSPCA state that dogs are still very much at risk, and you would be putting them in a highly dangerous situation.

Here at PurrfectlyYappy.com, we know it’s hard to be ‘the perfect dog owner’. That’s why we have a ‘cooling’ section on our website to help dog owners find ways to keep their pooches cool in the hot weather! Here are some of our favourite products:

The Ruffwear Jet Stream Dog Cooling Vest efficiently cools dogs during light and fast, high-intensity adventures through shading and evaporative cooling. In warm climates, dogs typically stay cool by seeking shade in the heat of the day. The light and sleek Jet Stream uses shade-providing spandex over the back, while Ruffwear’s three-layer evaporative cooling chest panel disperses heat from the dog’s core. To activate the Jet Stream, soak in water, wring out, zip on your dog, and go. It’s the perfect accessory to keep your dog cool on walkies in the warmer weather.

Staying hydrated when out and about is so important for your pooch. This Ruffwear travel bowl does the job perfectly! Welded fabric technology creates a watertight seal and facilitates single wall construction. It has a loop to clip to packs or hang to dry, as well as a low-light visibility feature with reflective trim. It’s collapsible which allows for easy storage, and its ultra-light design ensures it’s no bother transporting it from place to place.

Another super convenient way to keep your pup hydrated when out and about is this amazing water bottle. It’s made from 100% recyclable materials and is designed with active dogs in mind – these bottles can withstand just about any condition they may find themselves in. The K9 Unit is highly durable and is made from a 304 Food Grade stainless steel encompassed with a thick silicone outer shell for insulation purposes, keeping the water cool inside as well as making the K9 Unit impact resistant, sound-dampening and easy to grip. They come in lots of different colours and aren’t too heavy to carry around on walks and adventures.

What better way to cool down than going for a swim? This Tuffa-Ring floats, so it is the perfect toy for your pooch to play with in the water. Tuffables are made from a unique Multi-Layer Fabric construction which provides high durability and longevity. The most vulnerable area on any dog toy is usually the edges. This toy has three rows of edge stitching and incorporates a strong zig-zag stitch pattern. PurrfectlyYappy.com offer a range of colours, sizes and shapes, so check them out now for endless fun when swimming!