When is it too hot to walk your dog? Exact times you should avoid as temps to hit 34C this week
It's not just humans who are feeling the heat so it's important to make sure your pooch is cool and comfortable this summer.
1
Our furry friends are particularly vulnerable to overheating, especially when exercised in the middle of the day.
Exercise is the most frequent trigger of heatstroke in dogs, say the RSPCA.
But there's no "safe" temperature for walks as it can depend on your dog's breed, age and health.
The charity recommends walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening - ideally before 8am and after 8pm.
The hottest part of the day falls between 11am and 3pm and walking your dog during those hours could be dangerous.
Five-second test
The charity also suggests a handy "five second test" to determine whether it's too hot outside for your pooch.
If you're unable to comfortable hold your hand on the pavement for five seconds, then it's too hot for your dogs paws.
It's also advised to look for shaded areas and to walk on grass where possible.
Any running or cycling with your dog during high temperatures is also not advised.
There are some crucial tell-tale signs that could mean your dog is struggling in the heat according to the RSPCA:
Moment black bear creeps into family home - before being chased away by TINY dog
limping or refusing to walk
licking or chewing at their feet
their foot pads are darker in colour or damaged
they have visible blisters or redness
But some dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than others such as those with health conditions or thicker coats that trap heat.
Puppies and older dogs also find it more difficult to regulate their body temperature.
And certain flat-faced breeds may find it more difficult too.
This is because dogs pant to keep themselves cool so their shorter snouts make it harder for them to do so.
Symptoms of heatstroke in your dog can include excessive panting, drooling or foaming and confusion, say the PDSA.
But you should also be on the look out for shaking, weakness and collapse, vomiting or diarrhoea and even seizures.
If you identify any of these signs, it's crucial to try and cool down your dog as quickly as you can.
This could include placing them in a shaded area, pouring cold water over their body but not covering them in a damp towel as this can trap heat.
The faster you can cool them down, the lower the risk of serious injury.
You should also contact your vet for guidance and any other potential treatment.
If you think your dog isn't getting enough exercise, the RSPCA also recommends keeping them engaged at home with puzzles or training games.
and even 34C in some parts of the country.
The soaring temperatures come as a fourth heatwave hits, according to the Met Office.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Dry weather to continue across most of UK as heatwave comes to an end
Dry weather is set to continue for most of the UK following last week's heatwave. Parts of the country could see temperatures reach 27C on Monday and Tuesday. A northeasterly breeze means northern and eastern parts of the UK will be cooler on these days, reaching up to the low-20s. Some showers with the odd rumble of thunder could hit south-west England and south Wales on Monday and Tuesday, but most places will be dry throughout the week. Wetter, windier and more unsettled weather may move in from the Atlantic by Bank Holiday Monday. The continued dry spell comes after officials warned England was suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls, despite rain in July. Sunday's highest temperature was 27.7C in Somerset, while West Sussex and Inverness, Scotland, also reached 27C. Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: 'Where people get the sunshine it'll still feel fairly pleasant, it'll just be a bit chillier than it has been of late.' He added: 'We had a couple of cooler days, yesterday (and) the day before. 'The odd spot here and there might be just holding on to a heatwave, but I think most places have dipped below their criteria and may have sort of come up again. 'I would say (the heatwave) finished over the weekend.' Clouds are expected to arrive later in the week and the cooler air in the north and east will travel towards southern and western areas. Maximum temperatures will fall to 23C to 24C by Wednesday and Thursday. But the temperatures could push back up to the high-20s by the weekend, particularly during sunny spells, caused by the winds turning southerly. The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, said on Tuesday that it had met as five areas of the country remained in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status. England is seeing widespread environmental and agricultural impacts from the lack of water, which is hitting crop yields, reducing feed for livestock, damaging wetlands and river wildlife, and increasing wildfires, the group said. Experts warn climate change is driving more extreme weather conditions in the UK, worsening drought and dry spells, and making heatwaves more frequent and severe.
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
‘Functional beverages' are booming — but is it all hype?
Before you take that magnesium supplement or sit down to meditate, what if a drink could help you relax? Enter 'functional beverages', drinks that claim to possess additional health benefits beyond those of a standard fizzy drink or fruit juice. Functional drinks are surging in popularity, with supermarkets in Britain seeing sales increase by 24.5 per cent in the past year, according to Worldpanel by Numerator. The market research firm also said that almost 30 per cent of UK households now purchase functional drinks. However, Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a dietician with more than 15 years of clinical experience in the NHS, has warned that she 'wouldn't rely on them [functional drinks] for measurable health benefits'. Ludlam-Raine, who now works privately and is the author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed , said: 'Functional drinks containing ingredients like CBD [cannabidiol], lion's mane [a type of mushroom], and ashwagandha [a herb typically used in ayurvedic medicine] are part of a growing wellness trend, but the science isn't as strong as the marketing.'
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on regulating cosmetic procedures: rogue operators must be tackled, but aren't the only problem
The enormous popularity of beauty treatments, including dermatological fillers and Botox injections, is not solely an issue for health regulators. Changing norms and aspirations about appearances, and the way that these are marketed mainly to women and girls, are a cultural and economic phenomenon that requires wider consideration. While attitudes to these procedures and aesthetics vary, many people – including some cosmetic surgeons – are concerned that younger women account for a growing share of a highly lucrative and growing market. The death last year of 33-year-old Alice Webb in Gloucestershire, after a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift, as well as multiple reports of injuries, and the deaths of at least 28 women who have travelled to Turkey for cosmetic treatments, have increased the pressure on ministers to tighten the law. Wes Streeting's announcement of new licence requirements for UK businesses, and tighter regulation of higher-risk treatments, is probably overdue. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute recently warned that untrained people have given cosmetic injections in public toilets and hotels. Altering the law in order to exclude such 'rogue operators' ought to make high streets and the internet – where many clinics advertise – safer. Talking about the risks, as the health secretary has been doing, and holding a consultation on proposed changes, may have the beneficial effect of raising awareness even before changes are introduced. But councils will need resources if they are to be expected to enforce new rules by issuing licences, checking premises and so on. As in many other areas of economic activity, the law on its own is unlikely to be enough. Mechanisms are needed to ensure that businesses comply. It is already illegal to administer Botox or dermal fillers to children in England – although, worryingly, it is still allowed in Wales and Scotland. Mr Streeting's announcement that rules regarding children will be tightened further is particularly welcome. Strenuous efforts should be made to place them off limits for the industry as a whole. The reported preoccupation of some children with anti-ageing products is not healthy and should be discouraged. Mr Streeting did not refer to the cost to the NHS if cosmetic procedures go wrong, when announcing plans to tighten the law. But Karin Smyth, one of his ministers, has raised this. And Prof Sir Stephen Powis, who was NHS England's national medical director until last month, made the same point specifically in relation to butt lifts – the cosmetic procedure with the highest death rate of all. Ministers should expect pushback even though many experts, including plastic surgeons, favour tighter rules. The pro-growth mood of the Treasury means proposals for new regulations are unlikely to be smiled upon there. The more restrictive approach being proposed for England will also do nothing to prevent surgical tourism and could even increase it, if tighter regulation of the domestic industry results in higher prices. The gap in safeguards that allows foreign cosmetic surgery providers to market directly to the public needs to be addressed separately, which the government has begun to recognise. There is no single or instant fix. But by cracking down on cowboy operators, ministers will send a message that appearance-altering injections and other invasive treatments must be treated seriously. They are a different order of activity from applying makeup or painting nails. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
