Page 7 | People are really mad about dogs and heat stroke?

Alltheyellowbirds · 01/07/2025 11:27

1984Winston · 01/07/2025 11:01

I've seen many dog die of heatstroke (ex vet nurse) and the one that sticks in my mind is a neighbours beautiful springer who got heatstroke when it was about 20 degrees but they had let her run around too much, we battled for hours to save her to no avail. So yes I will be that person that goes on about it, it's just so avoidable and I'm sick of seeings twats walking their bracheocephalic breeds in a heatwave and then moaning about their big vets bill and having a dead dog

So sad. I was honestly a bit dismissive of all the fuss but have learned from this thread.

bigkahunaburger · 01/07/2025 11:31

Im sorry but if a dog dies from having a runaround in 20 degree heat then it was clearly a very weak unwell dog to start with.

Springersrock · 01/07/2025 11:33

Biginnin · 01/07/2025 09:10

I don’t think the people getting angry care. I think they have wound themselves up so much on facebook and mumsnet that they are delighted to see someone in real life they can hurl some abuse at and then report back that they’ve done their bit to make the world a better place.

If the genuinely cared they would just say hello, like a normal person and then say something along the lines of “oh they look hot, are they ok?” or “they look hot do you need any help?” Both of which don’t require you to call the owner a cunt.

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I agree to be honest.

I regularly see posts on our local community Facebook groups from people congratulating themselves that they shouted at someone walking their dog when it’s too hot. They’ve got no idea why, or how long, a dog is outside.

I remember taking my dog to the vet last summer, I parked in their carpark and had literally just got her out of my (air conditioned) car, walked her a few steps over to their grass verge for a wee, and then took her into the (air conditioned) building.

Someone walking past started shouting at me, being abusive, calling me an idiot, told me I should be wearing a fur coat with no shoes. I pointed towards the vet and reminded them they saw me get out of the car 10 seconds ago. They told me I should have cancelled the appointment, I was an idiot, it was far too hot. I walked away in the end, but they were still shouting when I went into the building.

I walk my dog early and late when it’s hot. We go to the beach for a swim or the woods where it’s cool, but there are times she might be out on the street for a few minutes

mydogisthebest · 01/07/2025 11:36

bigkahunaburger · 01/07/2025 11:04

No I dont.

There are a handful of cases each year that die of heatstroke, out of the millions of dogs in the UK, and is always because they were left in a hot car for hours on end.
Its the latest moral panic, and its utter nonsense. Just a way for busybodies to criticise others.

Im sorry to be so blunt, but I call bullshit on all of it. But i had st bernards in queensland australia, without a moment of worry or anyone criticising me. Its cultural and in Oz we find it quite baffling and hilarious. And believe it or not we have seasons too - and dogs miraculously don't die! lol
The 'I was hot and I was wearing a hat and I dont have fur' brigade do amuse me. You aren't a dog love!

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So where do you get the statistics that there are only a handful of cases each year of dogs dying from heatstroke? The true figures are not known but I would guarantee it is more than a handful.

Also it is NOT always because they were left in a hot car for hours on end. Just absolute bullshit. Quite a few dogs get heatstroke because they have been walked in the heat or because they have been running around too much and some of them die. A dog will overheat in a few minutes in a car let alone an hour or more.

If Australians really do find it "baffling and hilarious" it shows how pathetic they are. A quick google tells me that, of course, dogs do die in Australia of heatstroke.

mydogisthebest · 01/07/2025 11:40

bigkahunaburger · 01/07/2025 11:31

Im sorry but if a dog dies from having a runaround in 20 degree heat then it was clearly a very weak unwell dog to start with.

Unless you are a vet or a dog expert why don't you shut up. You are making yourself look stupid with your bullshit posts

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 01/07/2025 11:51

bigkahunaburger · 01/07/2025 11:31

Im sorry but if a dog dies from having a runaround in 20 degree heat then it was clearly a very weak unwell dog to start with.

Are you a vet?

ConstitutionHill · 01/07/2025 11:55

skippersy · 30/06/2025 21:56

It's one of those things people love to get on their high horse about.

This.

ConstitutionHill · 01/07/2025 11:57

No problem in raising awareness. It's the virtue signalling BS all around this.

sandyhappypeople · 01/07/2025 12:05

bigkahunaburger · 01/07/2025 11:31

Im sorry but if a dog dies from having a runaround in 20 degree heat then it was clearly a very weak unwell dog to start with.

What a stupid, uneducated thing to say.

You're embarrassing yourself.

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:09

I've seen many dog die of heatstroke
Really, how unlucky considering only about 60 dogs a year, out of 13 millions die of heat stroke and yes, the statistics are available. And even if it is only from insurance claimed, even if you double the numbers, you are still left with a tiny amount so I don't believe you've seen MANY dogs dying from it!

I agree that if you are concerned ask questions. I've seen dogs walking in the heat and been surprised, but I've never ever seen a reluctant one. Reluctant as in needing to be dragged. Or maybe some posters consider a dog panting reluctant.

Also you gave no idea of the situation. The dog might only be out, for less than 10 minutes, only walking in the shade and is therefore perfectly fine in 22 degrees.

Posters can justify it as they want but I totally agree that none of it come from genuine concern for the dog. They just like to give themselves a pat on the back fir being such caring humans. Of course none of them actually bother to call the rspca or dog warden...

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:14

a neighbours beautiful springer who got heatstroke when it was about 20 degrees but they had let her run around too much
So the issue was not the heat itself but the over exertion, maybe with no drink. It was the combination that was the problem (and maybe even more issues), not the heat itself. A healthy dog just walking on the lead in the shade with regular sips of water is highly unlikely to get heatstroke under 20 degrees!

DoingItForTheKids25 · 01/07/2025 12:15

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:09

I've seen many dog die of heatstroke
Really, how unlucky considering only about 60 dogs a year, out of 13 millions die of heat stroke and yes, the statistics are available. And even if it is only from insurance claimed, even if you double the numbers, you are still left with a tiny amount so I don't believe you've seen MANY dogs dying from it!

I agree that if you are concerned ask questions. I've seen dogs walking in the heat and been surprised, but I've never ever seen a reluctant one. Reluctant as in needing to be dragged. Or maybe some posters consider a dog panting reluctant.

Also you gave no idea of the situation. The dog might only be out, for less than 10 minutes, only walking in the shade and is therefore perfectly fine in 22 degrees.

Posters can justify it as they want but I totally agree that none of it come from genuine concern for the dog. They just like to give themselves a pat on the back fir being such caring humans. Of course none of them actually bother to call the rspca or dog warden...

You conveniently left off your quoted post that the person is an ex-vet nurse so yes I'm sure they aren't lying when they say they saw many dogs die from this.

I worked with dogs for 8 years (not as a vet) and personally know half a dozen dogs who've died, and God knows how many who got very very ill

It's so bizarre to see the lengths people are going to on this thread to insist that people's concern for dog welfare in heatwaves is nothing more than a conspiracy? Honestly guys, touch grass.

PhilippaGeorgiou · 01/07/2025 12:21

noctilucentcloud · 01/07/2025 10:10

There was an article on the BBC site this week from a man with a guide dog. He leaves his dog at home as it's too hot for them to work and uses other methods such as his partner guiding him instead.

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I saw that - please remember that not all sewrvice dogs are guide dogs, and what he said was he exercised his dog early, then had someone else guide him during the otter part of the day. And that is great if (a) you have someone to do that and (b) you don't need your dog all the time.

There are plenty of ways of helping your dog manage the heat if they must go out. As I said earlier, if they are travelling by car the (common nowadays) air-conditioning is better than most homes. There are cooling vets for dogs, and pavement protector boots to stop their paws from burning. Some need suntan cream, which is also easily available. We also always carry iced water.

That said, for a smart dog mine can be really stupid - I had to call him in twice yesterday afternoon as he decided to sunbathe!

pippapipps · 01/07/2025 12:24

I've just got back from Spain where we noticed that people only walked their dogs in the evening so anytime after 7pm there was a huge amount of dogs out being walked, we did not notice any dogs outside during the day ..great to see

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:25

You conveniently left off your quoted post that the person is an ex-vet nurse so yes I'm sure they aren't lying when they say they saw many dogs die from this
You can't beat statistics though. Again, there might be co-factors.

So no sorry I don't believe the MANY (many, like what?100s?).

DoingItForTheKids25 · 01/07/2025 12:26

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:25

You conveniently left off your quoted post that the person is an ex-vet nurse so yes I'm sure they aren't lying when they say they saw many dogs die from this
You can't beat statistics though. Again, there might be co-factors.

So no sorry I don't believe the MANY (many, like what?100s?).

Can you quote a source for your 'statistics'?

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:27

Oh and 3/4 of heatstroke are due to excessive exercise, not the actual heat. Statistics, from a vet surgery!

Original poster

Brayndrayn · 01/07/2025 12:28

pippapipps · 01/07/2025 12:24

I've just got back from Spain where we noticed that people only walked their dogs in the evening so anytime after 7pm there was a huge amount of dogs out being walked, we did not notice any dogs outside during the day ..great to see

Still 34 degrees after 7pm in some parts of Spain atm I think so pretty damn hot

OP posts:

Pinty · 01/07/2025 12:29

I sometimes think the British public care about about the welfare of dogs than that of children

Tdp123 · 01/07/2025 12:30

My dog chose to spend most of yesterday afternoon lying out in the sun in her thick black coat.

sandyhappypeople · 01/07/2025 12:30

vivainsomnia · 01/07/2025 12:14

a neighbours beautiful springer who got heatstroke when it was about 20 degrees but they had let her run around too much
So the issue was not the heat itself but the over exertion, maybe with no drink. It was the combination that was the problem (and maybe even more issues), not the heat itself. A healthy dog just walking on the lead in the shade with regular sips of water is highly unlikely to get heatstroke under 20 degrees!

Why does it matter, the end result was the same, a dog over exerting itself at 20 degrees, can be the same dog being walked (I say 'being walked' rather than 'walking' because it is their owners that force it out in that weather, not the dog choosing) in 30 degree heat, the dog can still suffer the heat, and can still die of heatstroke, so what difference does it make? Denying it as a possibility is just uneducated and ignorant.. and quite telling about the mindset of people who force their dogs out on walks in the middle of the day when there's no need.

If a dog has gone past the point of being able to cool itself down, which is actually quite easy to do in warm weather, it will suffer, they suffer in the heat anyway without factoring heat stroke into it, so the question is why would you make your dog suffer for your own wants?

Dogs should be lying in the shade with access to water, not being force walked around on the pavements at midday in blazing sunshine, and with regards to walking on a lead in the shade with sips of water.. do you really think this post is about people like that? No, it's not but you know that already.

Original poster

Brayndrayn · 01/07/2025 12:37

sandyhappypeople · 01/07/2025 12:30

Why does it matter, the end result was the same, a dog over exerting itself at 20 degrees, can be the same dog being walked (I say 'being walked' rather than 'walking' because it is their owners that force it out in that weather, not the dog choosing) in 30 degree heat, the dog can still suffer the heat, and can still die of heatstroke, so what difference does it make? Denying it as a possibility is just uneducated and ignorant.. and quite telling about the mindset of people who force their dogs out on walks in the middle of the day when there's no need.

If a dog has gone past the point of being able to cool itself down, which is actually quite easy to do in warm weather, it will suffer, they suffer in the heat anyway without factoring heat stroke into it, so the question is why would you make your dog suffer for your own wants?

Dogs should be lying in the shade with access to water, not being force walked around on the pavements at midday in blazing sunshine, and with regards to walking on a lead in the shade with sips of water.. do you really think this post is about people like that? No, it's not but you know that already.

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In a sense though I did start this thread about dogs being walked in the shade. Because there are people who will shout at the owners even in these circumstances. And if they aren’t in the shade maybe they are headed for some shade.

OP posts:

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/07/2025 12:41

Brayndrayn · 30/06/2025 21:37

In Italy there are dogs out in the midday sun with no shade with their owners for bloody hours. Personally I walk my dogs very early in this heat but it is kicking OFF on the local FB page about dogs being out today. People shouting at those with dogs as they go past in a car etc. Nobody knows others’ circumstances or where they are going or for what reason. Yes I know about paws on hot pavements but by Christ those pavements/sand in Italy were boiling and the dogs didn’t seem to care. My dogs also ran out of the house onto my patio and wanted to stay there this afternoon. I’m not saying there is no risk but this country loses the plot over dogs to point of being really very rude to other people about it. Realise I’m probably going to get flamed…

Since dogs can and do suffer and die from the heat in the UK every year, isn’t it better for dog owners to be over-cautious about walking their dogs in heatwaves, @Brayndrayn? No dog has died, become ill, or got badly burned paws from missing a walk, but dogs have suffered all of these through being walked when it was too hot for them.

WhereIsMyJumper · 01/07/2025 12:41

There are two parts to this argument I think:

is it ok to exercise/walk your dog in conditions which are totally unsuitable to your specific dog… no. Of course not
is it ok for people to shout at complete strangers if they see a dog out and about that seems fine, and they have no idea of the context? Also no

Don’t get me wrong, having a polite word with someone if their dog is clearly struggling in the heat is of course ok. And I say polite because it’s unlikely to be taken well by them if you’re shouting expletives at them and they’re even more likely to double down and prove you wrong. Which isn’t helpful to the dog. And for the love of god, please stop photographing random people and putting them on Facebook so you can have a bitch to feel better about yourself.

sandyhappypeople · 01/07/2025 12:52

Brayndrayn · 01/07/2025 12:37

In a sense though I did start this thread about dogs being walked in the shade. Because there are people who will shout at the owners even in these circumstances. And if they aren’t in the shade maybe they are headed for some shade.

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I'd never shout at someone in fairness, it is a form of virtue signalling IMO, but I would talk to someone if I thought their dog was suffering to see if they are aware of the dangers, so many people have dogs and have no idea how to put the dogs needs before their own selfish wants.

I personally see all sorts of people selfishly dragging their dogs around the streets in heat where the dogs themselves look like they are suffering in one way or another, it is not enjoyable for the dogs, so why do it at all? Two weeks ago at an event in the middle of the day, full sun, hot day, there were hundreds of dogs there, loads looked unhappy.. it's shocking how stupid and ignorant some people are.

If someone was ambling along in the shade with a water bottle in hand I wouldn't bat an eyelid as that person is obviously aware of their dogs welfare needs.. it's the people that obviously don't know or know but don't care that boils my piss.