When is it too hot to walk your dog? Mini-heatwave continues in London
A yellow weather warning has been issued as a mini-heatwave continues in London. It will be in effect from 9am on Friday, August 2 through to 9am on Saturday, August 3, impacting London as well as the southeast of England, the east midlands and the east of England.
On Friday, the Met Office forecasts temperatures to reach highs of 28 degrees in London.
However, the weather is set to cool down on Saturday, reaching highs of 22 degrees as Londoners are set to expect rain from 11am through to 7pm.
But while the hot weather is still with us, it’s important to know what you need to do to keep your pets safe. While hot weather can be a joy, heat can be hazardous for people and animals; just as we might buy sun cream for ourselves, we should take precautions to protect our pets.
Heatstroke, sunburn and dehydration can severely harm dogs, even being fatal in some cases. Hayfever is also a concern at this time of year, affecting about 10 per cent of the canine population.
Fresh air and exercise are important, but routines should be adjusted to suit outside conditions and how your pet responds to the heat.
How hot is too hot?
Walks in hot weather are generally safe in temperatures of up to 19°C; it is over 20°C that care needs to be taken.
Temperatures above 24C can be high-risk for dogs that are large, obese, flat-faced or very young, while 28C is dangerous for all, and potentially life-threatening for the aforementioned categories.
Once you surpass 32C, heat stroke is a major risk. Pay close attention to how your pet is coping and provide it with ways to stay cool.
You can read our tips and techniques for cooling your dog down.
Should you walk your dog in a heatwave?
Use your own body as a measure: if you feel the need to wear a hat, your dog will probably need a head cover, too. Instead of buying your dog a proper little bonnet, choose a route that is sheltered and shaded.
Avoid walking in the heat of the day, which peaks at about noon. The sun is most intense between 10am and 4pm, so avoiding that timeframe is a good idea if your daily routine allows it.
Think about what is underfoot. Certain surfaces trap heat and can be painful to walk on under concentrated sunshine. Tarmac and sand send us hopping about like popcorn: odds are, your dog won’t like them either.
Hayfever is another increased risk during the summer months, when grass and flower pollen are present in the air.
Luckily, protective measures overlap with heat avoidance: walking your dog early in the morning or later at night is ideal for avoiding high pollen counts, as well as sunshine.
Wiping your companion’s fur, skin, and paws with a damp cloth – as well as bathing it regularly – will not only cool it down, but remove excess pollen from its body.
Grooming extracts pollen and also prevents fur from matting, which can overinsulate animals and cause their body temperatures to rise.
What should you watch out for?
When it comes to heatstroke, Battersea Dogs’ and Cats’ Home has listed the following symptoms as signs of danger:
Heavy panting
Glazed eyes
Rapid pulse
Excessive salivation
Lack of coordination
Vomiting or diarrhoea
If your dog is suffering from many of these symptoms, you should act fast to cool your pet, for example, with wet towels, ice cubes and drinking water.
Hayfever causes sinus problems for animals and may require you to take them indoors. Experts at grain-free pet food brand Canagan have outlined these symptoms for cats and dogs:
Excessive itching
Licking or biting paws
Sensitive paws
Redness of skin
Rashes
Sneezing
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Should you have an emergency, you can call Vetfone on 0303 334 0612.
