31/05/2026
Today I took Baloo for a walk. It was cloudy, 20 degrees the humidity was 45%, and the UV index was low. Based on previous walks in similar conditions, I genuinely thought he would be absolutely fine.
However, today was different.
After around 30 minutes of him running around (on and off), I quickly noticed signs that he was overheating. He was excessively panting, drooling a lot, and appeared wobbly. At that point alarm bells started ringing.
I immediately put him back on the lead and moved him into a shaded area. I gave him a very small amount of water to drink and, because of his extreme panting and the fact he had been running, I only offered it in controlled amounts. Under normal circumstances I would usually be more cautious about how quickly a dog drinks after exercise, but in this situation small, careful amounts were necessary while I focused on actively cooling him down. I also poured the rest over his body and head to help cool him down.
We sat there for around 10 minutes, and thankfully his panting began to reduce.
We then walked slowly back to the car, stopping in the shade again while I continued cooling him down with water.
When I tell you I panicked, I really panicked. The moment I saw signs of possible heat exhaustion or heatstroke, I was prepared to carry him back to the car if I had to, soak him in water and drive ti the vets!!! I was also incredibly disappointed in myself for misjudging the situation. There was no direct sun, the temperature wasn't particularly high, the humidity was low, and the UV index wasn't concerning. We've been out in similar conditions before and he's been absolutely fine, but not today 😟
Looking back, if I hadn't recognised the signs as quickly as I did and known what to do, the situation could have become much more serious. If he'd carried on running around for another 10 minutes, I dread to think how much worse things could have become.
This is exactly why knowledge of canine first aid is so important, whether you're a professional dog walker or a dog owner. Recognising the early signs of heat exhaustion and acting immediately can make all the difference. No one ever expects it to happen on a walk that seems completely safe, but dogs don't always follow the rules we expect them to.
I felt terrible that it happened, especially because all the usual indicators suggested it should have been a safe walk. It was a reminder that every dog is different, and conditions that seem fine on paper don't always mean an individual dog will cope well on that particular day, and we’re talking of a healthy, lean young dog.
Please make sure you know the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in dogs. Excessive panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, weakness, wobbliness, confusion, and collapse should never be ignored.
I take heat risks very seriously and generally don't walk client dogs or my own dogs when temperatures are above 21 degrees and this is exactly why. Someone commented the other day that I needed to "man up" because 21 isn't that hot. Well, this post is for you!!!!
Sometimes it's not about the number on the thermometer. It's about knowing your dog recognising the signs and acting quickly when something doesn't seem right. Today was a little reminder of that, and I'm incredibly grateful I spotted it when I did.
