With the UK bracing for another intense heatwave – and temperatures set to soar to 35°C in some areas – the RSPCA is calling on pet owners to get creative with their cooling efforts amid regional hosepipe bans. While regional hosepipe bans are in place across areas like Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, there are still plenty of creative, water-wise ways to keep pets cool without breaking the rules, according to Dr Sam Gaines, pet welfare expert at the RSPCA. Her five top tips to keep dogs cool without a hosepipe are: Water stations: Place extra water bowls in every room as a novelty for your dog to come and sniff, and add ice cubes to encourage hydration DIY cooling mat: Wet a small towel and pop it in the freezer to get it nice and chilled, before placing on the floor for your pet to lie on, don’t cover your dog in the towel Homemade frozen treats and doggy ice-cream: Freeze puzzle toys or Kongs with treats to provide cooling mental stimulation, or make your own easy frozen dog treats. Spread mashed banana and a small amount of peanut butter on a shallow lid or tupperware, and scatter a few treats, before freezing. It’s an easy, tasty frozen lick to keep your dog occupied – just be sure to supervise them Play scent games or teach a new trick instead of walkies: Make your own scent game by cutting off cut off the flaps of a medium cardboard box, filling it with cardboard toilet roll tubes – leaving space for the tubes to be pushed and moved around – and then hide a treat at the bottom of one of the tubes for your dog to find. Or you could teach your dog a new trick in a cool room Create a breezy shade fort: Get creative by hanging sheets in the garden or living room to create a cool, shady hideaway. Use a fan to help circulate a breeze. Post navigation Simple feeding change that could help dogs cope better in hot weather Countryside recall training tips
