Managing Heat Waves

[Yamyam13]

Any tips on managing the heat for dogs?
We're headed into our first heat wave with our 8mo Lab.
Anyone got some handy tips, dos or donts?

Oh forgot also bought some super soakers and spray him with them as he loves chase games & he doesn't seem to mind that

If you live near a river a good swim can be cooling and still good exercise and stimulation. Otherwise what everyone else has said;

Very early morning/late evening walks
Short sniffy bumble in dark, shady woodland
Cool Matt
Paddling Pool
Streams/Swims
Plenty of water

@RedCarsGoFaster thank you. This is all great advice!!

My pup is soending her first night ever with the crate door OPEN tonight, in the kitchen/conservatory. Hoping it will be more comfortable for her in the heat as can leave a window open and she can move to the floor if she needs to cool off... and plenty of water available.
Finger crossed it's not a disaster!
Hope all your dogs are coping ok in this heat

Also have a fan going for her!

Yesterday late afternoon I had one of those lovely moments with my greyhound as I was trying to introduce him to the paddling pool. He didn't want to get in but I gently scooped water out and sprinkled it over him and he stood right next to me leaning on me obviously feeling huge relief ! Almost like he was saying 'thank you'! By then we had some shade and then he pottered off and lay in the (too long!) grass looking utterly content.

Aaw so sweet! Can we get a photo??

Well my pup's first night with the crate door open and in a new room, started off well, she settled right in at the usual time but about midnight I heard her walking about and whining.
I gave it 5/10mins then when down to take her out for wee just incase.
Then I tried to resettle her by sitting on the floor by the stair gate as I would usually do from outside the crate when she is unsettled but she was trying chew my hand and then got gnawing on the wooden step... so I figured maybe she isnt ready for a free roam situation, encouraged her back in the crate & closed the crate door and she settled back down quickly for the rest of the night. Lets see how tonight goes... gonna be hotter so really not sure she'll cope in the closed crate but she clearly isnt ready for free roaming (in the day time she is happy to be sleep anywhere and doesnt use the crate)

My black lab has got one of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004ZL0CYE?ref=cmmswrrcpudddp3JKQ242GBR2D5S4YJ6NH

You soak it in cold water for a minute or so wring it out and put it on wet and as it dries out the moisture evaporates it keeps him cool

He's aLso got a cooling bandana like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09MHL9W8T?ref=cmmswrrcpudddpM2JFMH37RHXQM7K2AX72

Urgh I will be so glad when this heatwave is over.

Had a scare yesterday evening. We had gone for very early morning walk, then pup (6 months) spent day in house but trips to the garden and the paddling pool (the paddling pool is in the shade but there were sunny bits of the garden). Nothing too long or strenuous, so being sensible,

About 5pm she started behaving oddly; just sitting staring into space, and when I talked to her she buried her head in my lap. Naturally I freaked, and took her down to emergency vet. She said all OK with regards to heat exhaustion, but her abdomen was sore; likely overdoing it jumping in and out of the pool and with the heat. Came back home and she was just worn out.

Anyway I kept an eye overnight (both had a rotten night's sleep because of the heat) and she's currently dozing on my bed. So she hasn't had breakfast yet but we'll see how that goes Looks like today will be a very quiet day - may take her for a little stroll in the shady woods later.

But just goes to show - you really can't be too careful!

Oh poor you and poor puppy. It's so scary when you just know something isnt right.
I'm looking forward to this heat passing too, it's pretty worrying with a dog.
I hope yours is back to usual today, and there is lots of napping done by both of you!