The summer guilt trip with TV vet Steve Leonard

For millions of UK families, the dog is not “just a pet”, they are often part of the emotional glue that holds a household together. So, when the suitcases come out and the family heads off, many owners are left with the familiar pangs of guilt and stress that they they’re not included.

Animal welfare organisations also point to the fact that dogs are social animals, and RSPCA advice says separation-related behaviour in dogs is often a sign of distress. That research suggests eight out of ten dogs find it hard to cope when left alone, even though many show no obvious signs. That understanding alone raises the owners stress on top of that.

But the welfare trade-off is the heat. With temperatures touching 30°C across parts of the UK and Ireland in recent days, long journeys, unfamiliar surroundings and confined spaces can all make it harder for animals to stay calm and cool.

Aston spoke to TV vet Steve Leonard.

Photo by Berkay Gumustekin on Unsplash