With bitterly cold temperatures and snowfall possible in the UK this weekend and next week, dog owners are being warned about the impact the weather may have on their dogs.
The Met Office has issued weather warnings for several parts of the UK, with snow possible.
The forecaster said “heavy snow may cause some disruption over the weekend” as it put out a yellow weather warning for snow.
They added: “Outbreaks of rain spreading northeastwards later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday will likely be preceded by a spell of snow on its northern flank.
“Whilst there is a fair bit of uncertainty as to how far north this may spread, and how long any snow will last, significant accumulations of snow are possible, especially (but not exclusively) on hills.
“Currently, parts of the Midlands, Wales and northern England are most at risk of disruption, where 5cm or more could accumulate fairly widely, with perhaps as much as 20-30 cm over high ground of Wales and/or the Pennines.
“This, accompanied by strengthening winds, may lead to drifting of lying snow.
“In addition, as milder air attempts to move northwards into southern and central areas, snow may turn to a spell of freezing rain for a time, adding to the risk of ice.
“If milder air is able to spread more bodily northwards, any snow in southern parts of the warning area may be relatively short-lived before turning to rain.”
Independent research from Kennel Store has found that 5 of the UK’s favourite dog breeds are at high risk of hypothermia from temperatures below 7°C, with a further 7 popular breeds at medium risk, including the nation’s favourite, Labrador Retriever.
Dog breeds most at risk are:
A Kennel Store spokesman said: “Your dog’s fur and ear length can determine how risky it is for them to be in cold temperatures.
“Short ears help to prevent dogs from getting frostbite and long, thick fur coats help them stay warm in cold and snowy conditions.
“Be cautious of your dog’s health when temperatures hit 7°C or below.
“For example, a Jack Russel Terrier has short fur and long ears, meaning they are at the highest risk of below zero temperatures; meanwhile, a Border Collie has long fur, short ears and prefers cold climates so they will be more acclimated to colder weather.
“However, as a general warning, all dogs are at high risk of hypothermia when temperatures hit below -6°C.”
These are their top tips for looking after dogs in cold temperatures.
Dogs can suffer from frostbite, most often on their earflaps. It is best to keep dogs inside when possible when temperatures hit below 7°C, with short visits outside to help your pet acclimate to the freezing temperatures. This can be done whenever your dog needs to use the toilet
Sometimes a thick coat is not enough to keep even the furriest of dogs warm. Consider treating your dog to a sturdy winter coat or a fitted sweater. Freezing temperatures can also do damage to dogs’ feet; protect their paws by equipping them with dog-friendly boots.
During cold weather, rock salt will be utilised by local authorities to melt snow or ice to make sidewalks easier to traverse. However, after walking your dog, you should take care to clean your pet’s feet with warm water, as rock salt can damage paw pads, and can even be toxic to your dog if they try to lick the substance.
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