Petplan has launched a first-of-its-kind interactive ‘Weather Furcast’ for dogs. The digital tool, hosted on Petplan.co.uk, updates in real time to show when is and isn’t safe to walk dogs, helping owners make safe choices this summer.

The launch comes as over six in 10 (64%) dog owners were unaware that cloudy but humid weather could be hazardous to their pups, and over eight in 10 said that on a sunny day, they’d wait until it was cloudier to walk their dog. 

Although almost two thirds of dog owners (62%) were confident they knew exactly when it was safe to walk their dogs in summer, only one quarter (25%) correctly identified 23 degrees as being the turning point at which owners should be exercising caution.

With temperatures just shy of 30 early this week, shockingly, almost one in 10 dog owners said they’d happily walk their dog in 28 degree heat – a hazardous temperature for all dogs, and potentially life-threatening for large and high-risk dogs, such as those with flat faces.

For avoidance of doubt, dog owners can head to the Weather Furcast for advice  - users should simply select their dog type from small, medium, large and high-risk breeds (with a key for guidance), as well as their local region. The current temperature in their area will display on the map, alongside a red, amber or green paw print symbol and furmometer, letting them know whether it’s safe to go out, whether they need to exercise caution, or whether the current temperature is dangerous, and they should stay indoors for the time being.

The research also highlighted that the biggest concerns when it comes to summer petcare were dehydration (67%), heatstroke (61%) and difficulty breathing/excessive panting (45%). Over one third of British pet owners said although they had a vague idea of when it’s safe to take their dog for walks, they weren’t certain at which temperature it becomes dangerous. 

Whilst the tool aims to help avoid any heat-related illnesses in dogs this summer, pet owners should still familiarise themselves with heat stroke first aid, as the recent survey revealed that over three quarters of pet owners (78%) incorrectly believe it’s safe to place a wet towel over their pet in the case of heatstroke.

Although well-meaning, the reality is that placing a wet towel over your pet’s body - including cats too - can trap in the heat, causing them to overheat further. Instead, the pet should be moved into the shade, and onto a cool surface where possible, and a cool, damp towel should be placed underneath their body.

Other heat stroke symptoms pet owners weren’t confident in recognising included heavy panting (30%) and an upset stomach (49%). 

Brian Faulkner, RCVS-registered Veterinary Surgeon and Petplan spokesperson, said, “Pet owners across the country have the best intentions when it comes to summer petcare, but in the UK, we’re not yet accustomed to the higher summer temperatures we often now see. Despite a summer of intermittent sunshine, owners still need to exercise caution, as even overcast, cloudy weather can be hazardous for dogs. We need to adapt our dog walking routines and general pet care behaviours to meet increasing temperatures, and Petplan’s new Furcast tool aims to help take uncertainty out of the equation.”

With 15% of dog owners having had to visit the vets due to heat-related illness and summer-related injuries like stings and bites, and 1 in 2 dog owners (50%) planning to spend this Bank Holiday weekend outdoors with their pooch, Petplan has compiled a guide on how best to care for dogs, cats and rabbits this summer. Visit https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-information/blog/summer-tips-for-pets/ to find out more and try the Weather Furcast tool.

Research based on GenPop survey of 1564 UK dog owners conducted June-August 2023

Full data set:

•  70% of UK dog owners are concerned about the effect rising temperatures will have on their furry friends.
• 36% said they had a vague idea of when it was safe to take their dog out but weren’t certain

• Nearly 10% would walk their dog in 28 degree heat
• Top concerns when it comes to pet care this summer are:

• Dehydration 67%
• Heatstroke 61%
• Difficulty breathing and excessive panting 45%
• Struggling to cope in a heatwave 44%
• Leaving them alone when you go out 29%

• Only 25% knew that 23 degrees was the approx temp at which you must exercise caution with any dog breed
• 1 in 10 dogs had suffered from heat exhaustion / 13% stung or bitten by insects
• 30% wouldn’t recognise heavy panting as a sign of heatstroke
• 51% incorrectly believe swelling was a sign of heatstroke, and 56% incorrectly believed muscle spasms were
• 49% didn’t know an upset stomach could be a sign of heatstroke
• 78% thought you should put a wet towel over your pet when it has heatstroke incorrect
• 55% didn’t know pouring cool water over your dog’s body was part of heastroke first aid
• 64% didn’t know that cloudy, humid weather could be hazardous for dogs
• 86% said on a hot day, they’d wait until it was cloudier/less sunny to walk their dog
• 50% will be spending the Bank Holiday weekend outdoors with their dog