Category: Dogs

What to do with dogs in hot weather.

Pets naturally know how to keep themselves cool

We love our dogs so much that we cannot bear to be without them, mainly because they are part of the family and our children’s best friends. That is why we thoughtlessly put them at risk by insisting on taking them everywhere with us during hot weather. If we are going to the beach with our children, to the shops, going running or jogging, cycling or for a drive they have to be by our side.

Dogs do not need a suntan or play beach volleyball.

Most of us love a day on the beach or the park during hot sunny weather, but when we exert ourselves, what happens? We get hot, we sweat and we feel lethargic even in the shade. We can sweat it out and have access to shade and cold drinks whenever we wish, but dogs do not always have this luxury. We selfishly believe that despite being unable to sweat our dogs will enjoy the heat in the same way we do. But dogs do not need a suntan or to play beach volleyball.

To make matters worse we often drag them behind bicycles, take them jogging, tie them up on the beach or outside shops and cafes, leave them in cars despite all the warnings to the contrary and get them to run around and play with us. We think that just because we have thoughtfully brought water and a bowl and let them jump in the sea or a lake occasionally everything is O.K. But it’s not.

Dog, car, sun, heatstroke, dog cruelty
We insist on leaving dogs in hot weather despite advice to the contrary.

Dogs do not understand the weather forecast.

We strangely think that dogs have the reasoning powers to decide they will enjoy a day out in the heat when they have no idea where they are going, how hot it will be or how long they will be out. If they did, many might say no. They do not understand the weather forecast or where we are taking them and depend on us not to put them at risk. They are just eager to be with us and have fun with the family and ignorantly go forth relying on us to be sensible and make the right decision for them.

If they did understand what they were about to go through they might say “Just give me a huge bowl of water and cool breezy place to sleep and you go off and enjoy yourselves”. Sometimes it is more sensible on really hot days to take them out for a short walk early morning or not at all as even the evenings can be hot and humid. Breaking their routine, if they have one, for the odd day does no harm but heatstroke or suffering from too much heat or humidity does. It is reckless ownership to do otherwise.

Left to their own devices most animals have a natural and instinctive sense of how to stay as cool as possible in hot weather and will seek out the most comfortable spot to laze out the day. Ever noticed that herd of cows or sheep flopped in the shade of trees or bushes and on the highest point to get the breeze. Or the cat lazing in the shade on a nice cold stone surface.

Stray dogs instinctively know how to stay cool by remaining inactive and lying in the shade on a cool surface. Photo: animalrightsandwrongs.uk/johnbrookland

If we are all sensible and responsible pet owners we shouldn’t need advice every summer.

Whenever we get unusually hot weather in the UK the media drag out the same experts who give the same inane advice on how to care for our pets, particularly dogs. This normally involves paddling pools, ice lollies and ice packs, but rarely suggests not inflicting the hot weather on them in the first place.

Whenever I am out in hot weather I get extremely frustrated at seeing dog owners who appear oblivious that their dog is excessively panting and is looking miserable. I can see it, so why can’t they. If we are all sensible and responsible pet owners we shouldn’t need advice on doing the right thing for our dogs every summer as surely it is common sense?

So, forget the paddling pools, the special ice lollies, the ice pack coats, hats and bandanas. Just don’t take your dog out during the hottest part of the day, never in a car or tied up in the sun and don’t exert them. Move your rabbit, hamster or rat cage somewhere cool. Provide plenty of water. Its common sense methods without the cost and frills which the pet trade want you to buy to boost their profits and encourage you to take your dog out.

“When its hot let them flop.”

When to rescue a distressed dog from a hot car.

44% of motorists admitted in a survey to leaving their dog in a car & 77% of these on a hot day.

Every year for as far back as I can remember, and that’s a long time, dog owners have continued to ignore all advice about leaving their dogs in cars. It is not a fair or sensible action in any circumstance, but particularly reckless and thoughtless on hot and humid days. A recent survey in 2017 by Confused.com discovered that 44% of motorists admitted to leaving their dog unattended in a car and worryingly 70% of those also admitted they had left their dog for over 8 minutes on a hot day.

Confused.com also attempted to find out how many people would intervene if they saw a distressed dog in a car. They used a lifelike toy dog and played sound effects of it in distress and more than 74% of drivers failed to come to its aid. An interesting point of this survey was that 23% of people did not know their legal rights if they were to cause damage while rescuing the dog and were not sure who to call for assistance.

Would you break a window to rescue a dog from a hot car?

Would you be the person to risk being prosecuted for damaging a car or would you pass the buck to someone else? Of course the conundrum would not arise if we all acted like the dog lovers we are supposed to be.

Under section 5(2)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1971 you can damage someone’s property if you think the owner of the property would consent if they were aware of the situation. The problem is that if you did decide to commit the act, the odds are against you getting away with it, because dog owners are quick to take offence if anyone dares to accuse them of not looking after their pet properly and are likely to report you.

Back in the day it was far easier to break into cars if you knew some of the tricks of the trade, but new cars are far more sophisticated. I have called out the police in the past who have managed to get in without causing damage while others have turned up, asked me if I agreed the dog was at risk and just smashed the window with no ceremony.

But how do you judge whether a dog is at immediate risk, how long it has been in the car and how long before it is likely to succumb to heatstroke? There is no real answer to that and this is where you can get into trouble for unnecessarily taking drastic action. Some breeds are more prone than others. Flat nose breeds have difficulty in breathing at the best of times so should never be left and old dogs are also more prone.

Cars can become ovens in a matter of minutes with or without the windows open – that’s why we like to have the air-con on when we are in them.

Can you recognise heatstroke in a dog?

A dog will pant excessively trying to expel heat from its body. It will also salivate or drool. In latter stages the dog will vomit, collapse, become unconscious and die without help. It is not a pleasant death.

So what to do?

It all depends on the situation. Most people have mobile phones so take a photo or better still a video of the dog, the car registration, the car park ticket if there is one and where it is parked in the sun, although it can get hot without direct sun. You can use this information to make a complaint to the police. At a shopping mall or event you can go to customer services and get an announcement made.

If the dog has symptoms of heatstroke call the police on 999 -not the RSPCA who do not have powers (as we won’t let them), or the manpower to get there quickly. Don’t let the police fob you off to the RSPCA. If you intend breaking in tell the police you are about to commit the act and why.

The bottom line is that we shouldn’t need to have this discussion if dog owners just acted sensibly and thought more of their dog’s welfare.

The only dog that can be left in a car.
More info on heatstroke