Date Published 10 September 2019
With an estimated 51 million pets around UK homes, it's clear that we're a country that loves its animals. Of course, part of being a responsible owner/opener of cans of food is making sure that we take care of our pets, furry or otherwise. Given the increasingly hot temperatures experienced during June and July this year, it's extra important to take care of them to make sure that they remain healthy.
To that end, one of the UK's leading provider and installer of boilers, Boiler Plan has carried out a study into the ideal temperatures for a selection of animals, during Summer and Winter.
Cats
With 11.1 domesticated felines in the UK, cats are the country's second most popular pet and whilst they may be infamous for showing a degree of ambivalence to their owners, they'll certainly make their feelings known if they're unhappy with their living arrangements!
Cats benefit from a temperature of close to 30°C at night time during the Summer, with a slightly lower temperature of between 25.5°C and 26.6°C ideal during Winter to allow them to grow their natural seasonal coat.
Dogs
It's unlikely to surprise you that our canine friends are the UK's most popular animal companion, with a dog in almost a third of the country's households. Dogs the temperature at home to be a little cooler, during both the Summer and Winter, with temperatures around 25.5°C and 20.5°C ideal to keep them comfortable, whilst also encouraging their natural moulting process.
Fish
More than perhaps any of the other popular pets on this list, it's of vital importance for you to research the temperatures that fish require for their tanks, especially when it comes to tropical or coldwater types.
For example, common goldfish will be comfortable in a tank of 21°C whereas tropical varieties of fish need their water to be a little warmer with a temperature of between 24°C and 27°C. Don't forget to check which conditions your fish will need before you purchase them, as a heated tank may be necessary.
Guinea Pigs
Our furry friends need an equal amount of preparation when it comes to providing an ideal habitat. For example, did you know that guinea pigs don't sweat? Their hutch must be kept away from any direct sources of both heat or cold, with an ideal temperature sitting between 18°C and 23.8°C.
Rabbits
Most of the three million domesticated rabbits in the UK are kept in outside hutches, which offers something of a challenge when it comes to keeping their temperature comfortable and consistent. You'll be looking to keep things between 15.5°C and 29°C, meaning that you could need to move their hutch to a garage or shed should temperatures drop or rise below or beyond those guidelines.
