23/05/2026
As the weather is getting warmer now, it is important to be cautious when exercising dogs.
There is a 14% to 26% fatality rate in dogs suffering from heatstroke.
74% of heatstroke cases are linked to excessive exercise, while being left in hot cars only accounts for about 5% to 11% of cases.
Dogs won't die from not being walked but unfortunately heatstroke can be fatal and it is not worth the risk when the temperatures start to rise.
If your dog is showing signs of heat stress/heat stroke, such as excessive panting, foaming at the mouth, unsteadiness, vomiting, diarrhea or collapse, it is important to start cooling them down, bringing down their core temperature as soon as possible and taking them out of the sun. Contact a vet if you suspect heatstroke but start to cool your dog down immediately.
You can safely cool down your dog by pouring cool water over them. Avoid pouring water on their face. Do not use very cold/ice water as this will cause the blood vessels to constrict and slow down the cooling process. Do not cover your dog with wet towels as this will trap heat. Monitor their water intake. Do not allow them to gulp excessive amounts of water. When a dog is overheating, gulping large amounts of water too fast can trigger vomiting, bloat (GDV, where the stomach twists), or water intoxication, which can be fatal. Small, controlled, amounts of water is much safer.
On hot days, always check the pavements with your hand before heading down the street, to see whether they are too hot for your dogs toe beans 🐾 and if it is going to be a very hot day, plan ahead to take them out earlier and later to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day.