The UK is a nation of animal lovers. We also love hot weather, and with today widely tipped to break the all time UK temperature record, it's essential that we take care of ourselves and our fury friends.
An estimated 51 million pets share our home in Britiain. But, do we know the optimum temperature our four-legged friends should be living in to ensure they are happy and healthy?
As well as feeding pets a well-balanced diet and providing lots of fresh water and exercise, it’s just as important that we keep the temperature of homes to an ideal setting to make sure our beloved pets are healthy.
Boiler Plan, one of the UK’s leading providers and installers of boilers, has conducted in-depth research into living temperature for the UK’s most popular pets, including the best temperature to keep their habitats during both the summer and winter.
Dogs
A third of UK households (29%)(2) own a dog. Dog’s temperatures normally run a little higher than adult humans (around 38-39°C), however, in the summer, it’s important to keep them cool. To preserve the natural moulting process your dog will go through during the year, the recommended temperature to keep your thermostat at is around 25.5°C in the summer and 20.5°C in the winter.
Cats
Felines are the second most popular pet in the UK, with an estimated population of 11.1 million domesticated moggies(3). Cats definitely show how happy (or unhappy!) they are so to keep your cat happy and healthy, it’s important to keep their living space the correct temperature at all times.
To keep your cat happy, healthy and safe in the summer, try your best to maintain a temperature of around 30°C where your moggy sleeps and in the winter, a slightly lower temperature of between 25.5°C and 26.6°C to ensure they are able to grow their natural winter coat.
Fish
The humble goldfish is one of the most common and popular types of pet fish in the UK, but more and more households are keeping different varieties of coldwater and tropical fish.
It’s important to research the specific species of fish you intend to buy before you make a purchase, as the temperature to keep your aquarium varies significantly depending on the species.
Coldwater fish, such as goldfish and bloodfin tetra, prefer a tank temperature of 21°C or below, to keep them healthy. Tropical fish, on the other hand, prefer a warmer climate of between 24°C and 27°C so a heated aquarium is essential.
Rabbits
The UK is home to around one million pet rabbits(3), but as most homeowners keep their rabbits outside in hutches, it can be more difficult to control their living temperature in the outdoors.
The ideal temperature for your bunny is between 15.5°C and 29°C. In the wild, rabbits will spend their days underground in burrows if the temperature above ground is too hot or cold, as the temperature underground is more consistent.
During particularly hot or cold days, that are above or below the recommended temperatures, the best solution to keep your rabbit at the optimum temperature is to bring them inside or move the hutch to a temperature controlled area such as a garage or shed.
Guinea pigs
There are half a million domesticated guinea pigs(4) in the UK, but do you know what temperature your guineas thrive in? As guinea pigs can’t sweat, it’s important to keep their housing away from any direct heat source, as well as away from any areas of your home that can be cold at times. The optimum temperature for your guinea is between 18°C and 23.8°C.
