To want to say something to anyone I see walking their bloody dog

[TooTTootY]

In 30° fucking heat!

I live on quite a rural road which lots of people walk their dogs down. The amount of people I've seen nearly dragging panting dogs down the pavement today is appalling!

AIBU to think you're a lousy dog owner if you drag them out for a walk in this heat? I've felt like saying something to a few of them where there dogs have looked absolutely sweltering. How many times do people need reminding?!

I ran to my car to grab something before, I didn't have shoes on, just socks and I could feel the tarmac burning even through my socks so I don't know what a poor dog feels like being forced to walk on it for God knows how long.

[WhatNowFrantic]

Mine has been going out at 7am and 8pm , even then it's still hot.
He needs to go out twice a day as hes a big breed and just paces the floor if hes not taken out.
But in this heat we do 2 circuits of the park then home, instead of the usual 90 mins.
He still runs around like an idiot tho🙄

[notmyyacht]

I see some dogs that look like yetis out in 30 degrees. Imagine being forced to go out in a thick fur coat in this weather. It's just cruel.

You're wrong, the 'yeti type' dogs that you're seeing are probably double coated breeds and double coated dogs should not be clipped as shaving them removes their outer (guard) coat leaving them with only the undercoat which would put your dog at much greater risk of sunburn and overheating.

[vanillandhoney]

@SurreyHillsGirl

Totally agree, OP. Our two sit in front of the air con unit and we spray them with Evian throughout the day. Dogs are prone to overheating. And why are some people not keeping their dogs fur short in this heat, I see some dogs that look like yetis out in 30 degrees. Imagine being forced to go out in a thick fur coat in this weather. It's just cruel

Because some coat types shouldn't be cut short.

Also, a lot of groomers closed over lockdown and if you don't have the knowledge to do it yourself, you may still be waiting for an appointment.

[Springersrock]

And why are some people not keeping their dogs fur short in this heat, I see some dogs that look like yetis out in 30 degrees

My dog is double coated - keeps her cool in the heat and warm in the cold

If I shave or cut her coat too short it completely changes the way her coat works and could make her hotter in summer/colder in winter

She goes to the groomer regularly who hand strips her without ruining the way her coat works

[Zaphodsotherhead]

To be honest, the pads of dogs' paws are pretty tough, like the soles of your shoes. The shoes they make for dogs are for dogs with foot damage or those whose wear and tear is extreme (dogs that spend hours running on scree for example). It's not like your bare feet on a surface.

And my dog is a Patterdale terrier. And an idiot.

[thecapitalsunited]

@SurreyHillsGirl

Totally agree, OP. Our two sit in front of the air con unit and we spray them with Evian throughout the day. Dogs are prone to overheating. And why are some people not keeping their dogs fur short in this heat, I see some dogs that look like yetis out in 30 degrees. Imagine being forced to go out in a thick fur coat in this weather. It's just cruel

Some coat types shouldn’t be shaved. I have a corgi which is double coated for insulation but that means he keeps the heat in during winter and out during summer. If I were to clip him his guard hairs wouldn’t necessarily grow back before winter or in the same way. I’d also be making him hotter as he would lose his insulation. It would be like you deciding to remove some of the insulation from your loft to make it cooler. You might release some heat trapped in the house but you also make it easier for heat to build up.

[BringMeTea]

Loving the image of the evian-sprayed pooches SurreyHillsGirl

[LioneIRichTea]

I was at a park yesterday and a couple were sat in the shade throwing a ball for their dog (from one of those ball launcher things) and the poor dog was hugging and puffing and panting! But he/she was fetching it every time because that’s what dogs do to please their owners

[MagentaRocks]

@Kokeshi123

Naive question:

Is there such a thing as paw covers for dogs?

You can get shoes and boots for dogs.

[Kokeshi123]

Naive question:

Is there such a thing as paw covers for dogs?

[midnightstar66]

A lot of the comments on here show there is a massive variation between individual dogs. Lots of people saying theirs won't leave the air conditioning or are permanently on a cool mat and still struggling. Mine trots out to the hottest spot in the garden and lounges there. I've rarely ever seen her pant. I bought an expensive beach shelter for her for taking her and dc to the beach on hot days and used all sorts of bribes to get her in but she always dragged them back out to the sun. To the pp who was horrified about the huskies - they actually are a breed that cope incredibly well in the heat. I lived abroad for many years in a country where it was above 30 for most of the year and huskies were an incredibly popular pet there. The pavements aren't even hot at 29c unless maybe in your area they are made from a different substance. They certainly aren't here.

[SurreyHillsGirl]

Totally agree, OP. Our two sit in front of the air con unit and we spray them with Evian throughout the day. Dogs are prone to overheating. And why are some people not keeping their dogs fur short in this heat, I see some dogs that look like yetis out in 30 degrees. Imagine being forced to go out in a thick fur coat in this weather. It's just cruel

[TooTTootY]

[quote Kisskiss]@vanillaandhoney not ‘missing the point’ just trying to point out that it is hot in some places and all our dogs aren’t dead from walking in temps higher than 30 degrees.. It’s called water , and moderation[/quote]
Yes but as has already been said several times, dogs in hotter countries are acclimatised to the heat in a way our dogs are not making them more vulnerable to heatstroke than a dog who's lived it's life in Southeast Asia.

Dogs that are not acclimated to warmer temperatures or physical exertion are more likely to suffer heat stroke. Environmental acclimatization takes about 90 days, so dogs moving to hotter climates need to be closely observed during play and exercise

[Kisskiss]

@vanillaandhoney not ‘missing the point’ just trying to point out that it is hot in some places and all our dogs aren’t dead from walking in temps higher than 30 degrees.. It’s called water , and moderation

[Kisskiss]

@thatbitch and I grew up in Southeast Asia where everyday is above 30 degrees, had dogs and actually they were fine. There’s also many strays, who are also fine. You’re not forcing your dog to be running in full sun for 8hrs, a short walk is obviously fine.

[ladybee28]

@Dugheed

How do the poor guide dogs cope in this weather?

That is a bloody good question: would love to learn more about this.

[SerenityNowwwww]

Of course they do - aunt had a wee white yappy thing.

[Gwynfluff]

because people in warmer climates don’t have dogs

Come on, they do have pet dogs in Europe and North America especially. Weird thing to say.

[IamMoana]

Just as bad as taking them to a dog free beach, tying them to railings & continuing to enjoy your time at the beach. I saw this last weekend at Looe, it was absolutely scorching, and I just couldn't believe the selfishness. Dogs just laid there, looking so sad. We don't deserve them,

[AriesTheRam]

My Chihuahua hasn't been out apart from padding round the garden then going back inside.Hes obviously of Mexican origin so can take the heat but I leave it entirely up to him.Its usually in 5 min blocks

[Itisbetter]

Mine has been happy piddling around as usual. Only 32 here though and grass and trees.

[Serin]

Ours hates this heat, we have a cool mat and stone floors but he still looks hot and bothered.

[howlathebees]

I walk mine in the late evening when it’s cooler for them. We also bring their bowls out and stop every 10 mins or so so they can have water. We drive them to a wooded area and then they’re on grass and in shade to walk then

[Tunnocks34]

I’m just about to take my dog for a walk now. I was actually going to skip it but she does a dirty protest if she doesn’t go out for her evening walk, even with the back doors open.

Our cats are have slept in the conservatory today! The doors have been open and their bed is in the coolest part of the house but no, they have slept on the conservatory windowsill

[Dugheed]

How do the poor guide dogs cope in this weather?