Britain’s basking barkers

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WHILE the north-east finally has the chance to catch a few rays, Dogs Trust warns of the dangers of allowing your dog to bask in the sunshine with you.

We know we should slap on the sun cream, cover up in the sun and keep hydrated when the temperature rises – and the same applies to dogs.

Chris Laurence, the veterinary director at Dogs Trust, says: “Dogs can suffer from sunburn just like us. Facing a higher risk are dogs with white or light coloured hair, those with very short or no hair at all and dogs that have lost hair through allergies or medical treatment.”

The charity also warns against leaving dogs in hot cars this summer. Just 20 minutes waiting in a hot car can prove fatal to dogs.

To keep your dog healthy this summer, you should:

Make sure your dog is in the shade during the hottest part of the day – preferably in the cool indoors.

Never leave your dog in the car in warm weather.

Try to avoid taking your dog on long car journeys in hot weather.

Apply pet sun cream to areas most likely to burn: nose, ears, eyelids and belly. Human sun cream can be toxic to dogs so make sure you buy one specifically made for them, available from your local pet shop.