Keep your doggies safe from the sun.

West Cork Animal Welfare group has advised that dog owners only take their pets for a stroll before the sun comes up or after it goes down.

“It’s so hot at the moment, please don’t take a dog for a walk or in a car in the heat. The tarmac is roasting and dogs are getting burnt feet,” they wrote in a post on their Facebook page this morning.

“Take a leaf from Smudge’s books and walk early in the morning as he is here or later in the evening. Plenty of clean, fresh water and never ever leave a dog in a car even for a few mins.

“A dog won’t die if it doesn’t get a walk in this hot weather but a dog could die from heatstroke. Also never leave a dog in a conservatory when you go out, it gets too hot. Thank you.”

Signs of burnt paws include:

• limping or refusing to walk
• licking or chewing at the feet
• pads darker in colour
• missing part of pad
• blisters or redness

Other good advice includes putting ice cubes in the dog’s bowl, leaving out cool wet towels, cloths and ice packs, and pet-safe suncream on exposed parts of the animal’s skin.

As things stand, Ireland is expecting temperatures of between 22 degrees and 29 degrees between now and the end of the week, peaking on Wednesday. Danger for dogs typically sets in around the 22 degree mark.

Header image from Facebook/West Cork Animal Welfare Group Ltd.