Walkies of Wincanton

02/09/2025

Walkies is ** NOW CLOSED** due to relocation.

Thankyou to all those fabulous clients who have supported me over years. I wish you and your furry family all the very best. ###

08/08/2025

So…… after 10 years the announcement I’ve not wanted to make but some major changes are happening end of August as I’m moving out of Wincanton.

As such an incredibly difficult decision has had to be made to change direction and Walkies will be hanging up it’s leads on Friday 22nd August.

I wish everyone all the best and I sure will miss my beloved furry & human clients - some who have become good friends along the way.

Thankyou all for your continued support over the years

Love Walkies ###

Pic : tribute to my 3 legged Mollie, my heart and the inspiration for starting Walkies.

14/07/2025

Walkies will be closed from Saturday 23rd August to Sunday 7th September.

04/07/2025

If temperatures hit this high then walks will be cancelled or swapped to house visits. If concerned would clients please contact me to discuss their preferences.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16afUSutM6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Anyone for 40c? 🤣🤣

Heatwave watch from next Wednesday/Thursday? I mentioned yesterday it wouldn't take much for the models to flip and the much warmer air track further north.

That is exactly what we're seeing from today's models with heat building from the south again through the middle of next week.

The GFS actually goes really extreme and is showing the high 30's and even 40c by next weekend (I'll be amazed if that happens).

Just a case of keeping an eye on the outputs but its looking likely we'll go very warm or even HOT again later next week. (I'm not talking about the mid-twenties either).

I'll be keep a very close on this heatwave potential with lots of updates going out inside the behind closed doors Facebook group. I know many people struggle in such heat and some of you love it, so extra updates! Info is below to move over, well worth doing, whatever type of weather you like.

Step 1 (Pay - not a subscription, it's a one off payment):
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/3TFVL9WESW5YC

Step 2 (Join group):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/508437393629486

Lewis

Proudly in partnership with https://www.thecornishway.co.uk

30/06/2025

☀️ If it’s not done by 9am… it’s too late.

The weather may look “ok” for now (cloud coverage) but if you haven’t walked your dog by 9am, it’s probably too late to be out walking.

🥵 Dogs don’t sweat like us.
🥵 They can’t dump heat through their skin.
🥵 Their main cooling systems? Panting and paw pads.
That’s it.

Which means when the air is hot — especially humid or still air — panting stops working properly.

Add warm pavements, direct sun, and layers of fur, and it’s like wearing a parka to a sauna you can’t leave.

Plus, dogs are people pleasers.
😩 They’ll keep walking just because we asked them to.
😏 Even when they’re struggling.
😟 Even when their muscles start overheating.
😖 Even when their brain’s going fuzzy from heat stress.

And that’s when the damage starts.
Heatstroke isn’t dramatic straight away — it creeps in quietly, but it can be fatal.
Fast.

Some dogs are even more at risk:
⚠️ Flat-faced breeds
⚠️ Long/thick coats
⚠️ Dark fur
⚠️ Puppies + older dogs
⚠️ Overweight dogs
⚠️ Dogs with health conditions
⚠️ Dogs who won’t slow down on their own

So yeah, your dog might look happy on a warm walk. They might keep going. But that doesn’t mean they’re coping.

Now, not every dog you see out is being “walked.”
Some are out because they won’t toilet in the garden.

Some are on a quick, shaded loo break because holding it in would do more harm. So let’s be kind to those who may be out. Some owners feel like they need to rush because people jump straight to conclusions! And we all know what assuming does……. 😒

But if your dog’s had their morning wee and it’s gone 9am?
A walk can wait.
Do a scatter feed in the hallway.
Set up a lick mat.

🕰️ Before 9am or after 9pm
✅ Those are the safe zones.
❌ Everything else? No thanks. Not worth the risk — and not needed either.

AND if your dog can’t stay at home and need to travel, make sure you can take your dog with you in the shop, or someone can stay in the car with the windows down in the shade. Cars 🟰 greenhouses!!

Stay cool everyone 😎

27/06/2025

Hot weather alert - walks will be adjusted accordingly for your dogs (and mine) safety in the heat. Home/garden visits may take place instead, if over 23 degrees. Please let me know with min 24hrs notice should you wish to cancel or usual rate will apply.

18/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ApvMYoMLy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Hot Forecast Due 🌅 Met Office Heat will build through the week. On Wednesday the highest temperatures values in the UK are expected to be around 27ºC.

Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?

One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...

We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!

But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.

You should:

💧Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
💧Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
💧NB: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
💧Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
💧Move to a cool, shaded area
💧Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car

In studies they found that:

🌅International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
🌅Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
🌅Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
🌅No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with cold‐water immersion.
🌅Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
🌅Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion

The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.

Read more below:

https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid

17/06/2025

Weather warning ! Walks will be in shade / water areas up to 23 degrees and may be shortened for safety. Lunchtime / afternoon walks will be changed to home visits with garden for toilet breaks. Please contact me min 24 hrs notice should you wish to cancel walks/visits, or usual rate will apply.

15/06/2025

A gentle walk and some fun training at the park for this gorgeous boy yesterday. He was very focused despite some big distractions who came sniffing around 🤩

Contact Walkies of Wincanton if you’re looking for regular dog walks or pet pop in visits. Fully insured, first aid trained and taking care of your pets in Wincanton since 2016.

13/06/2025

Reminder - We are closed Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th June

03/05/2025

So we are entering our 10th year of being in business ☺️ wow! Where did that time go?!

If you are looking for an experienced reliable pet service for dogs or cats in Wincanton please don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss your requirements.

We offer:

* A free 30 minute meet & greet
* Small group dog walks of up to 4 dogs
between 10am-3pm.
* Solo walks available outside the above times
and are at an additional charge.
* Pop in visits for puppies, senior dogs, cats
available.
* For existing clients - Weekend adventure walks
and trips out are available - booking in
advance only.

Treats & bio-degradable p**p bags supplied.
Updates and photos are available on request.

Fully insured, First Aid Certificate, Canine behaviour certificate. Please note we do not offer training or provide service to aggressive dogs.

Picture below of a lovely new client enjoying a gentle potter and sniffy walk.

Message if you’d love to arrange for your dog to join us for some lovely social interaction and sniff enrichment based walks.