08/04/2026
Each day I check the weather and do a risk assessment for the weather conditions and the breed of dog/s in my care. Today, I have a Cavalier King Charles and the temperature is going to reach 23°C. A general plan for my day:
Cavaliers are wonderful companions, but they require extra caution at 23°C. Because they are technically a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed—even if their snouts look longer than a Pug's—they are significantly more prone to overheating.
Here is the specific safety checklist for the Cavalier in my care:
1. Watch the "Internal Oven"
Cavaliers have a very thick, silky double coat that acts like insulation. While it keeps them warm in winter, it traps heat in the summer.
The Humidity Factor: In the UK, 23°C often comes with high humidity. Since Cavaliers rely on panting to cool down, humid air makes their "evaporative cooling" much less effective.
Shorten the Route: If you usually walk for 45 minutes, cut it down to 15–20 minutes in the shade.
2. Respiratory Awareness:
Many Cavaliers suffer from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) or heart murmurs (Mitral Valve Disease).
Heart Stress: If your Cavalier has a known murmur, the heart has to work much harder in the heat to pump blood to the skin for cooling.
The Sound of Panting: Listen for a "roaring" or "raspy" sound when they breathe. If they sound like they are struggling to catch their breath, they need to be in front of a fan immediately.
3. Gear Adjustments:
Switch to a Harness: If you don't already use one, avoid collars in the heat. Any pressure on a Cavalier’s throat can restrict their already narrow airways and make cooling down harder.
Dampen the "Feathering": Before the walk, lightly mist their belly and the long "feathers" on their legs with room-temperature water. As this evaporates, it helps mimic the cooling effect of sweat.
4. Signs of Trouble Specific to Cavaliers:
Because Cavaliers are so eager to please, they will often keep walking even when they are suffering. Look for:
Flattening: If your dog lies down and refuses to move, do not pull them. They are telling you their core temperature is too high.
Wide Tongue: If their tongue is hanging out very far and looking "spatula-shaped" or wide at the end, they are in the danger zone.
✨️ My plan of action for today's scheduled walk ✨️
An 11am walk, so i have chosen a heavily wooded location with stream access along the route to paddle and walk in. The tree cover can provide cooler temps of approx 3-5°C lower than being in the direct sun and the trees provide us both with protection from direct UV rays!
Because I’ve chosen a locatiom near water, here are a few "pro-tips" to make that paddle as safe as possible for a spaniel:
1. The "Wet Underbelly" Trick:
For Cavaliers, the most effective way to cool down is getting their chest and belly wet. Their thick "feathers" on their legs and ears will hold moisture for a long time, acting like a natural cooling vest. So we will immediately enter the stream and walk in it for a couple of minutes before entering the woodland.
💦 Tip: Encourage them to stand belly-deep. Cooling the blood vessels in the groin and armpits is much faster than just getting their paws wet! 💦
2. Watch for "Water Intoxication"
Cavaliers are often enthusiastic "snappers" at water or might try to carry a soaked tennis ball.
The Risk: If they gulp too much water while playing or biting at splashes, it can lead to hyponatremia (water intoxication).
💦 The Fix: Keep the water play calm and limit "mouth-open" activities in the stream to short bursts 💦
3. Blue-Green Algae Alert:
In the UK, during 23°C weather, stagnant or slow-moving water can develop Blue-Green Algae.
Identification: Look for green "scum," foam, or what looks like pea soup/spilled blue paint.
⚠️ Safety: If the water doesn't look crystal clear or isn't flowing well, keep them out. It is highly toxic to dogs ⚠️
4. Post-Walk Ear Care:
Cavalier ears are basically giant sponges 🧽
Dry Them Out: Once you get back to the car or home, make sure to dry the inside of their ears thoroughly. Damp, warm Cavalier ears are the perfect breeding ground for yeast infections and "swimmer's ear."
5. The "Cool Down" Before the Drive:
If you drove to the woods, your car might be an oven by the time you get back.
🌡 The Routine: Let the car air out with the AC on or windows down for 2 minutes while your dog rests in the shade outside the car. Putting a hot dog into a hot car—even for a short drive—is a high-risk moment! I offer limited water at intervals so that they aren't gulping water intake in one go and switch on additional crate fans for the journey home 🌡
📊 A quick stat to keep in mind: Recent UK studies show that exercise is responsible for roughly 74% of heat-related illness cases seen by vets. By choosing the shaded woodland and a slow pace, we are eliminating the biggest risk factor! 📊
