OWNERS are being urged to make sure their dogs are kept cool this summer as the weather hots up.

As temperatures soar, Dogs Trust, Evesham, is offering advice on how to ensure pets do not suffer in the heat.

The advice comes after the death of two police dogs left in a hot car in Keston, south London.

It includes never leaving a dog in a car, making sure dogs have a supply of water if owners are travelling with them, walking dogs in the morning and evening when the weather is cooler and clipping the fur of particuarly hairy dogs.

Applying canine sun cream to areas on a dog most likely to burn – ears, nose, and belly – being extra vigilant with older, short nosed and overweight dogs, and rinsing dogs straight after they have been in a pond or river are other top tips.

Chris Laurence, veterinary director of Dogs Trust, said: “Whilst enjoying fun in the sun please remember that dogs can suffer from the same problems that humans do, including overexposure to the sun, overheating, dehydration and even sunburn.” For more tips, visit dogstrust.org.uk.