Dog owners urged to follow one walking rule during UK heatwave
Temperatures in the UK are expected to rise back up over 30C by the end of this week, as the Met Office confirmed that a third wave was on the way. Dog owners have been urged to listen up. Whilst this might be great news for some, Brits have been advised to take some precautions, especially for those who are pet owners.
Marco Petagna, a senior meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that temperatures would begin to reach the thresholds of 25 and 28 degrees. He also added: "Temperatures are going to continue to climb as we go toward the end of the week and certainly by Friday and Saturday we could see 30 degrees, perhaps just nudging into the low 30s."
As Brits have been urged to follow some guidelines for their safety in the heat, taking extra precautions for their pets at home is expected. Therefore and consequently, pet owners are now to do their usual walks in the early morning or late evening, when the temperatures are not too hot.
The message applies especially to older pets, flat-faced breeds or dogs with existing illnesses such as heart or lung problems.
Sean McCormack, a head vet at Tails.com, explained: 'While enjoying the sunshine is something both humans and dogs often love, it's important to understand that a dog's ability to regulate heat is very different from ours.'
He explained: 'This makes it essential for pet owners, particularly those new to dog care, to take proactive steps to keep their pets cool, safe, and comfortable during hot spells.'
Pet owners are now to tweak their walking times to protect their puppies from the scorching heat. It's also important for pets to have access to fresh water to drink, adequate ventilation and a shaded space to avoid direct sunlight.
How long will the heatwave last?
The UK weather is quite unpredictable. As the weather begins to warm up in the next few days, the Met Office said that it will start to cool down by early next week.
However, Brits might be able to keep the sun for a little while in some areas. They said: 'It's certainly possible that hot conditions may persist for a while longer, especially towards the south and east.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
an hour ago
- The National
Scotland weather: Safety advice issued for dangerous Storm Floris
A yellow warning for wind has been issued for northern parts of the country from 6am on Monday to 6am on Tuesday. The latest named storm of 2025 will bring 'unusually windy weather' for this time of year and heavy rainfall is also forecast, the Met Office said. Many inland parts of the warning area will see westerly gusts of 40-50mph and exposed coasts and high ground could see them reach 70mph. There is a chance that winds could reach 85mph on Scottish coastlines and hills. READ MORE: Plans submitted for new £20 million five-star hotel in St Andrews The strongest winds will most likely affect Scotland on Monday afternoon and night but 'there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris', the Met Office said. It added: 'Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. 'Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England. How to stay safe amid Storm Floris Now, safety advice has been issued by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Adrian Simpson, Head of Policy at RoSPA, said: 'We understand how tempting it can be to stick with summer plans — whether it's a coastal walk, a camping trip, or a garden gathering — but Storm Floris presents real risks. "With strong winds and heavy rain forecast, we're urging everyone to take the yellow warning seriously. Simple steps like securing outdoor items, avoiding unnecessary travel, and checking on vulnerable neighbours can make a big difference in staying safe.' Here are some important safety tips to help you stay safe: Secure loose objects: Ensure that any loose items outside your home, such as garden furniture, are secured or brought indoors to prevent them from being blown away. Avoid travel: If possible, avoid traveling during the peak of the storm. If you must travel, check the weather forecast and road conditions before setting off. Stay indoors: Stay inside during the storm, especially during the yellow warning period from 06:00 Monday to 06:00 Tuesday. Prepare for power cuts: Have an emergency kit ready with essentials such as torches, batteries, and non-perishable food in case of power outages. Stay away from windows: Keep away from windows and glass doors to avoid injury from flying debris. Charge your devices: Ensure your mobile phone and other essential devices are fully charged. Check on vulnerable neighbours: If it is safe to do so, ensure that they are secure and have everything they need. For more detailed advice on staying safe during strong winds, you can visit the Met Office's stay safe in storms page and the RoSPA website.
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Parks and tourist spots set to close amid Storm Floris alert with wind to batter NI
It comes as the Met Office confirmed the weekend will be largely calm and dry before the storm, with temperatures expected to reach around 20C across most of the country. A yellow weather warning for strong and potentially dangerous winds are expected from 6am on Monday to 6am on Tuesday. The alert affects all six Northern Ireland counties. The Met Office said: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK early next week. "The strongest winds are most likely to occur across Scotland during Monday afternoon and night, although there remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris. "Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see westerly wind gusts of 40-50mph with 60-70mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.' They continued: "Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remaining very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east. Heavy rain may also contribute to the disruption in places.' The forecaster also issued general weather advice to the public, including to ensure people take extra care if they are near the coast. 'Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area,' they added. Officials have confirmed that a number of recreational areas in the country – particularly in Co Down - have announced their closure on Monday ahead of the weather warning. Among those, Silent Valley Mountain Park will remain closed during the warning, it has been confirmed. They said the decision was taken 'in the interest of public safety as some trees at Silent Valley were damaged following Storm Éowyn.' 'While the park was partially reopened earlier this year, some walking and nature trails remain closed due to the damage,' a spokesperson said. 'Repairs are ongoing, but it will take time to fully restore all areas. 'A site inspection will take place on Tuesday to determine if it is safe to reopen.' Newry, Mourne and Down District Council posted on Facebook that the district's forest parks and trails will also remain closed on Monday. This includes Castlewellan, Delamont, Kilbroney, Slieve Gullion and Warrenpoint Municipal Park. 'Community Trails will be closed to cars and pedestrians due to the increased likelihood and risks associated with falling branches and debris,' said a council spokesperson. 'All associated facilities (Cafes, Caravan Parks, Forest drives, Mountain Bike trails etc) will be closed on Monday 4 August. 'We also advise the public not to visit our play parks, outdoor sport facilities and outdoor recreational areas. 'Council is advising the public not to visit forests, country parks, community trails, beaches, harbours, nature reserves and coastal sites in vehicles or on foot. 'Please note that there will be some delays in the re-opening of the Parks and Mountain Bike Trails on Tuesday (to facilitate full safety inspections). We will endeavour to reinstate public access as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on our social media channels for further updates.' The yellow weather warning comes after Northern Ireland recorded its sixth warmest July on record since Met Office records begin in 1884. Last month was also the UK's fifth warmest July on record overall. The mean average temperature across the month was 16.8C, according to provisional figures from the Met Office. July was the sixth consecutive month of above-average mean temperatures for the UK and followed the warmest June on record for England and second warmest June for the country as a whole. According to the figures, Northern Ireland has had 499.0mm of rainfall - the lowest since 2001 (455.6mm).
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Homes with flowering perennials urged to carry out crucial task to ensure new blooms
Gardeners across the UK are being urged to carry out this crucial task ahead of time, with Brits urged to take extra precautions for hanging baskets, pots and window boxes After very hot weather, the rain has arrived and replenished our thirsty plants. In the gardening calendar we are at the height of summer and enjoying the kaleidoscope of flowers that blossom in these months. During summer, it's vital to encourage another flush of flowering in perennials with a fortnightly dose of high potash such as a tomato feed. Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' Nepeta is an undemanding perennial and quickly rewards with lots of flowers and scented foliage. It's ideal as a filler plant and looks lovely tumbling over the edge of a path. It comes after Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. Here are my other jobs to do this week: Encourage another flush of flowering in perennials with a fortnightly dose of high potash such as a tomato feed. Bulb catalogues are out so it's time to think about what you will be planting for spring next year. Early spring bulbs will provide interest and colour in your garden in some of the toughest gardening months. Glasshouses need damping down in hot weather and plants will get scorched if it's very sunny, so remember to shade where appropriate. Keep an eye out for pests such as red spider mite and order biological controls where necessary. Raspberries and other summer fruiting berries can be cut out and new shoots tied in for next year. Dahlias and lilies may need staking as they achieve full height this month. Lawn chafers or leatherjackets a problem? Now's a good time to treat the soil with nematodes. And keep an eye for scarlet lily beetle - remove by hand. Make sure azaleas and camellias don't dry out as they are forming buds for next spring. Here are some top plants for this time of year to spruce up your plot- easy to grow and with colourful flowers that will keep going until summer's end. Nepeta 'Purrsian Blue' Nepeta is an undemanding perennial and quickly rewards with lots of flowers and scented foliage. It's ideal as a filler plant and looks lovely tumbling over the edge of a path. 'Purrsian Blue' is a cultivar that has the RHS Award of Garden Merit - it's compact and very floriferous. Its witty name refers to this plant's common moniker, 'catmint', because the aromatic foliage is said to be loved by them. But if you want to give your feline friend a real treat, plant Nepeta cataria, also known as catnip. This is a white flowering nepeta and will have your cats rolling for joy in it. A good chopping back when the flowers start to brown often results in a later fresh flush of flowers. Best grown in full sunshine in free draining soil. Scabiosa is the pincushion flower which describes its cushiony petals studded with white pin-like stamens. 'Butterfly Blue' is a gorgeous variety with purple-blue flowers from July to September. And it's a pollinator magnet, with the sweet scent and nectar rich blooms attracting butterflies and bees. Grow in full sunshine in well drained soil. 'Summer Nights' is an usual wine-red variety to look out for. It's drought tolerant and a good cut flower. Gerbera Garvinea 'Sweet Memories' is one of the hardier gerberas but will still need protection in colder areas over winter. Too much water will rot it so plant in well drained soil in a sunny spot. It's a semi-evergreen perennial so will likely lose leaves in winter but will be reinvigorated in spring. Around a foot in height, it's ideal for a patio or balcony garden and the big cheerful salmon pink daisies will delight for many months. Agapanthus will burst into flower from July onwards. Known as the African lily deciduous varieties are hardier here but we can also grow the evergreens with some winter protection. Their beautiful spherical flower heads emerge like fireworks exploding. There are gorgeous blues from light to violet to dark to choose from - 'Midnight Star' is an award-winning deep blue. They do well in coastal gardens, their sturdy stems swaying gently in the breeze. Dahlias are one of the biggest stars of the garden come August and September. If you haven't any growing, I'd recommend buying some plants now. Look for ones that are yet to bloom and have plenty of buds - and plant up a large pot with several varieties. They will stay in flower until early October and then you can protect with mulch over winter or dig up the tubers and store in a frost free area until next spring. Current favourites include 'Cafe au Lait', a big blowsy decorative dahlia with creamy white blossoms and 'Honka Fragile' an elegant white star-shaped variety with a violet edge. Plant of the week: Antirrhinum 'Appleblossom' Better known as snapdragons, these delightful summer flowers are easy to grow and come in a range of cheerful colours. 'Appleblossom' has pretty pastel pink blossoms and makes a good cutting flower as it responds by producing more flowers. Grow in full sunshine in fertile well-drained soil.
