Pavement test all pet owners should do before walking their dog as UK set to reach 28 degrees this week

While the rest of us might be enjoying the beer gardens and sun tans that come with a rarely seen UK heatwave, it's often nowhere near as fun for our dogs.

Our pets can struggle in the heat, especially if you've got a fluffier four-legged friend such as a Pomeranian, Chow Chow or Bichon Frisé.

Fortunately, we seem to be well past the days where it's far too cold to walk your dog and now we can look forward to a summer of non-stop 20 degree weather in the UK, because that's always how it pans out... right?

This week could see temperatures get dangerously close to 30 degrees, which might seem fine in European countries such as Spain or Portugal but I think we can all agree that it's a lot different when you're sweating in an office compared to relaxing by the pool.

The UK is experiencing a heatwave (Getty Stock Images)

However, taking our dogs for a walk in the sun isn't always the wholesome activity we think it will be, as their paws can easily be burnt on hot pavements in the sun.

For those of you who don't want to stretch your budget to buying some little booties or even matching crocs for your dogs, and don't have the time to walk them early in the morning or late at night, there's a simple quick test you can do to check if it's safe.

The pavement test explained

Alison Thomas, senior vet surgeon at the Blue Cross Hospital, said: “While we enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, it’s important to make sure our pets are kept safe. They can overheat very quickly, and this can sometimes be extremely dangerous - even fatal.

"If your dog needs a lot of exercise, look for other ways to keep them stimulated indoors."

She suggests simply removing your own shoes and socks and standing bare foot on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, then it's probably too hot for your dog as well.

Keep your dog entertained indoors if it's too hot outside (Getty Stock Images)

What should you do if you suspect your dog has heat stroke?

If your dog does start to suffer from heat stroke, then Blue Cross advises: "Lower your dog’s body temperature gradually if they’re suffering from heat stroke - never use ice-cold water.

"If your dog collapses or has trouble breathing, call a vet immediately. You may need to go straight to the clinic rather than attempting treatment yourself."

You can protect your dogs from heatstroke by using dog-safe sun block, a small t-shirt to protect sensitive areas, and also carrying water with you whenever you go on a walk to help them if they start to exhibit excessive panting.