PET charities have issued advice on how to look after animals during the current heatwave.

Whether it is cool baths of iced treats, there are a host of tips for keeping pets safe in the extreme temperatures.

The Dogs Trust is suggesting a number of ways to keep dogs happy and healthy.

The charity says to provide shade and water and make sure a dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day.

Walks should be planned for early morning or late evening when it is cooler which reduces the risk of heatstroke.

Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight or suffers from breathing difficulties as exercise is the most common trigger for heat-related illness.

Do the seven second asphalt test, it can get very hot and could burn dog’s paws.

Pavements should be checked with a hand for seven seconds before letting dogs walk on it and if it’s too hot, it is too hot for dog’s paws.

Dogs should be kept out of direct sunlight if possible and use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of their skin such as tips of ears and nose.

Car trips should be avoided if possible and if necessary, do so at cooler times of the day.

Never leave a dog in a vehicle.

In just 20 minutes, a dog could die in a hot car and winding a window down is not enough to help a dog stay cool.

The Cats Protection League is offering advice which includes providing plenty of shade inside and out.

A box can make a useful sunshade.

Many cats love soaking up the sun but overexposure can lead to skin cancer.

Cats with white fur should be kept inside between 11a, and 3pm iff possible when the sun is hottest.

Fans can be placed around the home to keep air circulating and a bottle of water can be frozen, wrapped in a towel and placed anywhere a cat goes regularly to stop them from feeling overheated during hotter spells.