A new calculator has been launched by pet insurance comparison site, to help dog lovers give their pets the exercise they need without leaving their garden.
Work Out Your Walkies tells dog owners exactly how many laps of their garden they need to walk with their pet, to give them the appropriate amount of exercise based on their age and breed, making it possible to keep them healthy while not straying far from the safety of home, shade and easy access to water.
Owners simply input their pet’s breed, age and the rough dimensions of their garden; the output is a specific number of laps they’ll need to walk, based on information from renowned dog behaviourist Nick Jones MA.
The RSPCA reported 8,290 calls relating to dog heat exhaustion in May last year and pet owners will understandably be keen to keep their own pets safe as temperatures rocket to over 26 degrees in some parts of the country.
The average insurance claim for dog veterinary care in the UK is now £793.00, according to the Association of British Insurers.
With the UK preparing for soaring temperatures, many pet owners are concerned with their pet’s wellbeing, electing to stay closer to home and the shelter of shade and easy access to water, in spite of the government’s recent relaxation of lockdown rules.
Salman Haqqi, is part of the team at Money.co.uk, which provides pet insurance support and is responsible for the production of the tool. He explained the rationale behind its creation and why it’s so important to keep dogs safe at this time:
“Pets are an important part of the family and it’s vital we take care of them, as well as ourselves, during the very hot weather.
“The heat, combined with the current pandemic, means that our ‘normal’ dog walking routines are being impacted and it’s near impossible to behave in the way we would have done before, even with the latest relaxation of lockdown rules.
“The Work Out Your Walkies calculator is intended to help dog owners keep their pets safe and healthy, from the comfort of their own garden. By staying home and exercising their dogs in the garden, dog lovers are much closer to the amenities like shade and fresh water that will help keep pets happy and healthy.”