11/08/2024
Hot dogs?
It is HOT out today!! We were back at the car after a quiet wander by 7 30am and both our dogs were feeling the heat more than I would have intended.
The humidity is 85% which is definitely having an effect on heat perception here in the UK
It’s likely too hot in many areas for dogs to be safely exercising today. Some tips to stay safe and cool:
*you don’t need to walk your dog Collect some sniffs on a walk by yourself - pick up some leaves, some sticks, bits of loose soil, perhaps some sheep fleece, animal hair on fencing etc … and bring it home and place in a box or two or on some dog towels or in a garden area, and let them sniff. Or pop to a car boot sale, a friends, a neighbours and get a few old baby toys, some worn clothing, other dogs toys or harnesses etc and bring them home for an investigation
*do a toy or sniffs or treat (or combo) search … by placing little tastes or scents in places found the house or garden and let your dog treasure trail at home
*biscuit bob - washing up bowl, bucket, paddling pool etc with water and float some kibble amongst some floating toys and let them enjoy getting them out (do this when they re not hungry to avoid frustration if they re not experienced bobbers!)
*make some cool pastes - you can soak kibble and make a mash, or add water to meat foods, or add flour and water to herbal tea or marmite or peanut butter or yoghurt and place in fridge. Once cool, put smears in a muffin tray or on different plates or bowls and let them investigate the different cool flavours
*keep the curtains / blinds closed!! Less sun in = less heat in. Consider setting up a fan if you don’t get much breeze in the hottest parts of the day
*damp some dog towels and place in fridge or freezer then lay them out in the hottest parts of the day to see if your dogs would like to lie on them
*avoid water play eg hosing, water pistols etc as whilst the dog gets wet, the exercise intensity is creating much muscle heat so they ll be hotter after, not cooler. Also grabbing too much water can cause health issues like low sodium if excessive, which can be really dangerous
*take care with natural swimming - seems a good idea but can be hot getting there and back and again, creates a lot of muscle heat for many dogs to recover from. Also HUGE issues at the moment with blue green algae in many places of the UK which is extremely toxic to dogs if swallowed
*have different sounds on the TV or speakers throughout the day - plenty of relaxing waterfall sounds, rainforest sounds, farm yard noises, classical music, pop / rock and other genres to enjoy … or audio books too!!
Plenty of cool, calm options to have a chilled out but interesting day! Stay cool and safe
(And don’t forget horses / rabbits/ cats / other furries too … give shade, give choice … )
