23/05/2026
A sunny Bank Holiday!? Can't think of the last so please enjoy! 🌞🌞🌞
Every year, with the sunshine, comes huge discussions about what is safe for our dogs. Below are just a few of the risks you may or may not be aware of BUT as long as you are aware of the risks and are sensible, please enjoy the weather in whatever way works for your dog!
Some key info...
🐾At 25° (air temperature) a dog's paws can burn in 60 seconds - darker flooring (e.g asphalt) is worse. Test pavements by standing on them with bare feet. Too hot for you? Too hot for your dog.
🐾Too much water (water intoxication or hyponatremia) can be very dangerous. Monitor time playing with water, wet toys, paddling pools, in rivers etc.
🐾At 22° (air temperature), within an hour the temperature in a car can hit 47°. Opening a window makes little/no difference.
🐾Pale skinned/thin coated dogs - Areas such as the nose, ears, and belly are highly susceptible to sunburn and long-term skin damage.
🐾Busy Dogs - dogs who race around in the sunshine can develop heat exhaustion which can develop in to heat stroke.
🐾Older dogs - their thermoregulation system may have weakened and so it may put pressure on weaker organs.
🐾Pups - their thermoregulation system may not be fully developed and so they struggle to cool down.
🐾Larger/Overweight Dogs - larger body mass generates more internal metabolic heat and holds onto that heat longer than a smaller frame.
🐾Thick- coated Dogs - the fur acts as an insulator, trapping heat.
🐾Flat-faced Dogs - due to the shape of their muzzle their ability to pant effectively is greatly reduced.
🐾Dogs with health issues - if their body is already battling illness or disease, they may struggle to tackle heat too.
🐾Muzzled Dogs - there are a great range of muzzles now that allow pant room! If you have one that doesn't, keep walks very short as they won't be able to make any attempt to cool themselves.
❤️Many have to still take their dogs out for one reason or another, so let's try not to judge. A steady toilet walk, a walk to keep an older dog going, playtime early in the morning, a short playtime for a frustrated pup or for those who don't have a garden may be really important. Let's trust that anyone you see knows their dogs and their needs, and is doing the best for them.
Let's hope everyone stays safe but just in case...
🚑 If your dog falls ill with heat stroke, the most important thing is to cool them and quickly. Get them in to the shade, wet them with cool water, and if they are sick, wobbly, lethargic, panting noisily/frantically with thick, sticky drool etc, put them straight in the car and head to the vets - calling on your way!
💡Top 5 Tips for things to do at home...
1. Hide and Treat - scatter or hide treats or kibble around a space to get their nose working.
2. Trick Training - search for a new posh trick you can work on with your dog init bursts throughout the day.
3. Home Agility - using buckets, books, blankets and brooms, it's amazing the obstacles you can create.
4. Frozen Treats - find different goodies to freeze in an ice cube tray or a takeaway tub.
5. Feeding Toys - a cardboard box empty bottle or toilet roll tube can create an inexpensive way to make meals more interesting.
Photo: Ronnie and Harley on a steady mooch the other day! 😊
