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Weather forecast launched for dog owners
"We need to adapt our dog walking routines and general pet care behaviours to meet increasing temperatures" – Brian Faulkner.

The digital tool shows when the temperature is too hot for a dog walk.

A new online weather forecast, the Weather Furcast, has been launched by Petplan to help dog owners in the UK decide when to walk their dogs during hot weather.

The interactive digital tool shows in real time whether the temperature in each region is likely to be safe for walking a dog.

Owners can search for different locations and check whether the weather is safe for dogs of different sizes, with special advice for brachycephalic breeds, which find it harder to regulate body temperature.

The forecast uses a traffic light system to guide dog owners. A green paw signals that it is safe to take a dog for a walk. An amber alert suggests that owners show caution and test the heat of pavement with the back of their hand to check that it’s safe. A red paw tells owners to avoid going out as the temperature could seriously harm their dog.

Alongside the forecast, the web page also contains an online guide for looking after pets in hot weather, covering topics such as how to keep them hydrated, how to protect them from sunburn, and how to respond to insect bites and stings.

A survey of UK dog owners, carried out by GenPop earlier this summer, revealed that although 62 per cent of owners were confident they knew exactly when it was safe to walk their dogs in summer, just 25 per cent identified 23 degrees Celsius as being the temperature at which they should start exercising caution.

Brian Faulkner, 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.”

 

Images (C) Shutterstock and Petplan

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.