According to statistics, a third of people who have a four-legged friend would not know the symptoms.

And with the Met Office issuing an unprecedented red weather warning and temperatures in England potentially reaching between 35 to 40 degrees celsius, it is important for dog owners to take all the precautions necessary.

The RSPCA says it could be ‘a matter of life or death’ if pet owners do not take extreme caution and familiarise themselves with the signs of heatstroke in animals ahead of the severe heatwave this weekend.

Esme Wheeler, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “The hot weather has gone from glorious to extreme, and we can’t stress enough how vital it is that pet owners take the situation seriously. That means limiting or skipping walks, only taking very essential car journeys, leaving water available at all times, and preparing damp, cold towels and mats, and frozen treats.

“We’re still getting reports of dogs being left in cars, and seeing a lot of dogs being taken to busy outdoor events like festivals, shows and fetes, and to the beach.

“Don’t be that person who is dragging their panting dog along the pavement or plodding around a garden show. We can’t stress this enough – please leave them at home in the cool where they’ll be safe.

“Knowing how to try and prevent heatstroke, and also how to spot the signs of heatstroke in pets could be a matter of life and death, so we’re urging anyone with a pet – whether it’s a dog or cat, a rabbit or guinea pig, and even chickens, horses and exotic animals – to put aside some time today to read up and make plans.”

Every summer the RSPCA receives hundreds of reports of animals suffering from heat exposure, including dogs left in hot cars, pets with heat burns on their paws from pavements, dehydrated wild animals after water supplies have dried up, grazing animals with no shade, and dogs over-exercised in the heat.

The welfare charity offers plenty of advice and tips for animal owners to help keep their pets cool and safe, and during extreme heat asks people to look out for wildlife too, by placing bowls of water in gardens and parks for wild animals to rehydrate.

Essential steps to protect animals during extreme heat

Cats, small furries, fish and pet chickens

Watch: this video on how to keep cats cool in hot weather.

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