If you've got a dog, chances are that when you take them for a walk during hot weather, they'll be unable to resist the urge to dive into the nearest body of water they can find to cool down.
And while heading to a pool or a beach sounds like a great place to take a dip for humans and animals alike, there are some things you should always take into consideration before letting your dog have a swim, according to a vet.
Dr Caroline Goulton urged dog owners to be vigilant when their dogs cool off in a river and said that at this time of year, you should absolutely never let them go into certain bodies of water.
Specifically, Dr Goulton said to make sure your dog does not swim in stagnant water when the weather is hot, as the temperatures can cause blue-green algae to "bloom".
The vet, from Guide Dogs, said: "Keep your dog out of stagnant water because of the risk of blue-green algae 'blooming' in the hot weather – gently flowing streams are a much better option for a paddle at this time of year."
Blue-green algae can be fatal to dogs if they ingest it, which they can do while swimming, or when cleaning themselves after swimming if it gets stuck in their fur.
The algae can produce harmful toxins which stop a dog's liver from functioning properly, according to the Blue Cross, and if a pooch does survive contact with the bacteria, they can be left with long-term health problems.
Dr Goulton also said that if you take your dog to a river, you should be aware of how fast the current is moving, and said to "make sure your dog can and will come back if called".
The vet even shared her tips for helping dogs cope in the heat, as she said heatstroke most commonly occurs in dogs when the temperature rises to over 25 degrees, and can bring on symptoms including excessive panting, excessive drinking, vomiting, and even seizures.
She added: "Even if you feel your dog is suffering from heat stroke or is too hot, you should never dunk or immerse them in cold water or hose them off. Cool them by spraying them with room temperature water (showers) or by wetting their coat with damp towels. Don’t leave the towels covering them, though and offer plenty of cool drinking water."
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