Should you take dogs out in this heat at lunch

[Happynappys]

Went to a food festival today and saw about 10 dogs there in 23degree heat. To get from the car park there was a long tarmac road. The festival also had no shade or water I did see one owner with a dog bowel.

23 degrees at night and 23 degrees in the day are pretty different - remembering that temperatures giving in weather forecasts tend to be shade temps.

Full sun can elevate the temperature you FEEL by about 10-15 degrees above those given as the temps of the day/shade temps.

So a day with 23 forecast, can be as warm as 38 in full sun.

@Caspianberg

Obviously you know best.

I know my dogs and I know that walking them in temperatures above 20 degrees is not good for them I haven’t had huskies for over 20 years and know nothing I know of peoples huskies who have died from being walked in temperatures above 25 degrees.

However I live in England where 90% of the time the weather is rubbish.

My opinion is only my opinion based on my experience, you do what you want to do 🤷‍♀️ dogs born in other climates are often more used to those climates.

a cat is not a dog! my cats love the hotter side of things

I can't help thinking that saying that 23 is too hot to walk your dog is just an excuse not to walk your dog.

My dogs have spent the last week or so lying out on a sun lounger in the back garden. My older one did refuse to come for a walk yesterday, but I think that was more to do with being tired from her walk the day before.

I can't believe that people genuinely think that they will burn their paws in this heat. Maybe, if they've never left the house before?

People who think that the thin coat of hair on a standard dog is the same as wearing an actual fur coat on top of other clothes, how do you explain the fact that hair-bearing mammals live in all climates, including ones far hotter than 23 degrees?

Anything over 20 degrees can be fatal for dogs!

Dogs in other countries are acclimatised. Regardless of their breed, they are used to this climate.
That argument is ridiculous.
When you go to a country that's 40 degrees, I'm sure you find it hot, however the residents of said country are probably dealing a hell of a lot better than you because they are used to it!

Hmm - that's a bit of an exaggeration.

While it can be dangerous for a minority of dogs, the vast, vast majority are absolutely fine going for a walk in 20 degree heat. All the doggy "danger" infographics published by vets and charities back it up as well.

24+ degrees is where it gets to heatstroke territory.

It's 40C here by lunchtime. I walk at 5.30am when it's hot but bearable. Lunchtime is a wee and a poop with boots on or a carry to the grassy patch. By 6pm, there's a lot more shade so we do a quick comfort stop and then a longer walk in the dark around 8.30. The humidity is increasing and I'm dripping with sweat afterwards.

Too many people have dogs as an "accessory" and do not care about their wellbeing or needs at all.

Dogs in other countries are acclimatised. Regardless of their breed, they are used to this climate. That argument is ridiculous. When you go to a country that's 40 degrees, I'm sure you find it hot, however the residents of said country are probably dealing a hell of a lot better than you because they are used to it No you are ridiculous if you think 23 degrees is too hot to be out with a dog. You clearly do not understand how dogs coats function. I live in a hot country and still find it hot like everyone else, as do the dogs here. Dogs don't go for walks in height temperatures, the same as in the U.K. 23 degrees is not to hot for a dog no matter how much you want to argue it is. This thread is just insane.

People and animals do physiologically acclimatize to heat to an extent when they move to jotted climates, but only in a limited way and not to the extent that 40 degrees becomes like 23 degrees for the person or animal involved. It’s mainly about acquired habits, like altering daily schedules to take advantages of cooler times, pacing yourself, and getting into the habit of seeking shade. People in the UK can practice these habits when heading outdoors with their animals as well, at higher temperatures, and 23 degrees isn’t even a higher temperature, for God’s sake. It’s a normal ambient temperature for the UK. We all ARE acclimatized to it already!

It’s 23 degrees not 33, bloody hell! The poor dogs are inside for more than 9 months of the year with our miserable weather poor buggers.

Sadly these are the digs I see out in the hot weather the most!

My dog is a GSD, very large and has a medium to long coat. Wben the temp reaches 20 degrees we don't walk him between 10am and 6pm. He stays in between these times with access to the garden to have outdoor time and water at all times. Our house is very cool in the summer so he can cool down inside if he needs.

We were out at our families house the other day. 18 degrees, plenty of water and shade and he overheated and started vomiting from drinking too much water to cool himself down. So yeah some breeds really can't cope with the heat!

I have a skinny dog - he seems mostly concerned with being warm enough, getting under blankets even when he’s wearing a coating indoors. He loves lying in the sun - preferably on a lounger and sometimes he’ll even insist on a blanket when it’s under 22C. 23C is perfect for him - no panting, comfortable, curious with normal energy. Trust me to know what my dog likes

People should use their own judgement as they tend to know what their own dog is comfortable with.

obviously there are some breeds that suffer far more in the heat than others. 23 degrees may well be too hot for flat faced or very thick coated breeds, but for a lot of dogs it’s absolutely fine.

my collie isn’t a particular lover of heat. She will let you know she thinks it’s too hot by seeking out shade when walking. She’s been absolutely fine in this weather and has run around as normal with no issues. A few degree more and it would probably be too hot for her, but 23 is fine.

23C is not hot

Very true.

I can't help thinking that saying that 23 is too hot to walk your dog is just an excuse not to walk your dog.

Yes I was thinking the same. Especially for lockdown puppies where the shine is wearing off dog ownership. “Oh look, the sun’s out, let’s have a barbecue and ignore the dog, probably too hot for it anyway”.

I see posters on here saying they put a lot of effort into enrichment when their dogs aren’t being walked - most people do not do this. The dog is just left in the garden all day instead.

the type of exercise a dog will be doing matters too. i wouldn't take my very hairy double coated dog for a run in that temperature but he is fine to potter around the garden and be on the lead for a slow walk with breaks. He spent most of that day in the garden sunbathing!

That is really sad @Achwheesht, but it was 35 degrees. This is a thread about a 23 degree day. 35 degrees isn't relevant.

23 degrees is not too hot for most dogs. There will obviously be some outliers, but overall the OP is bonkers.