Forum Topic

Dogs and Hot Weather

I am sure none of our sensible dog lovers on here need reminding about how much more our dog friends suffer the heat, but they may know someone who could benefit from the lessons of this sad story:-https://www.theanimalclub.net/dogs/dog-heatstroke-warning-signs/After tomorrow the weather looks like cooling down a bit, but we are bound to have more hot days to come.  Please remind anyone you see taking their dog out in the heat of the day unless totally in the shade all the way of the dangers, even if they don't appreciate it at the time it might make them think.

Claire Moran ● 2346d35 Comments

As though we don't already have enough people telling us what we must and mustn't do.

Roger Talbot ● 2345d

I think it’s good to remind people Roger.

Richard Kay ● 2345d

You've just reminded me to put some more water out for the birds, thank you.

Philippa Bond ● 2345d

Fair enough, Richard. But I don't think there are many dog-owners who love their animals, as I love mine, need telling the bleedin' obvious.

Roger Talbot ● 2345d

Agreed Roger. Self appointed animal experts need to be taken with a pinch of salt. The majority of pet owners know them pretty well. I think some busybody going up to a dog walker to tell them off is pretty over the top and frankly out of order. Feel free to call the authorities if you see a dog left in the car for an unreasonable period of time, or being kicked around the park, but otherwise it's probably not appropriate to get involved as it's extremely unlikely you know better than the owner. Unless you're a qualified vet etc...

Rob Reynolds ● 2345d

It does no harm to remind people, and seeing what happens to some pets they do need reminding, I always put large bowl of water down for my cat,The cat bowls are too small in this hot weather.  Plenty of water for the birds in different areas of the garden because some of the larger birds seem to guard the water, so put more than one out.

Janice Evans ● 2345d

Clare is asking everyone on the forum to go up to and remind everyone with a dog which may take a step into the sunlight about the dangers of dogs getting too hot.Sorry, but that's really not a good idea or proportional or necessary. It will of course be patronising and in the main totally ill informed. Still, if anyone does feel it necessary to become a self appointed dog inspector, Amazon are doing a sale on kids sheriffs badges at the moment. If i see Clare out walking her dog only in the dead of night i will of course remind her that there are risks or not getting enough vitamin D. I'm sure she would react well to advice and receive it in good grace. Out of interest, I walked my dog in the sun yesterday, on the way for a swim. Am i bad person?

Rob Reynolds ● 2345d

I have in the past had to go and fetch water for a collapsed dog wherethe walker forgot to take water out with her, she was a dog walker and had a few with her but the older one look like it was suffering from heat stroke,went to my Mums along the road and came back with lots of bottled water and pour it over him then gave him a drink and then got him in the shade, he did recover.

Janice Evans ● 2345d

That was very kind of you to help someone who'd forgotten something and of course assisting the dog. I'd hope most would do the same if help was needed. However, that is quite different to following the op's advice to lecture every dog owner you happen to see walking a dog when the sun is out.

Rob Reynolds ● 2345d

Personally would not unless an animal was in some distress, before the shutdown I was concerned about a friends dog, not a close friend so I kept quiet about my concern to my regret as he return home one day and found the dog dead in the hallway, now keep thinking I should have said something, it's knowing how to deal with a situation without upsetting the person.

Janice Evans ● 2345d

Last year my dog was unfortunate enough to get a grass seed in his foot.The seed was barbed and worked it's way up his leg.Two trips to the vet to try to flush it out, a course of anti biotics, neck collar for weeks and much discomfort for the dog and my wallet.I notice this weed,a bit like a fox's tail is everywhere this year so we inspect his feet after every walk.I wish I had know about this before the injury hence my post here.

Adrian Irving ● 2345d

Just to add, if this turns septic it can be fatal and it's difficult to spot what the problem with the paw is other than it's swollen.

Adrian Irving ● 2345d

Also be careful they don't drink from buckets which can be coated with zinc and very toxic to cats and dogs.

Janice Evans ● 2345d

I have been to Thailand in a heatwave and Greece in a heatwave. Both times temperatures were above 40 degrees Celsius. I saw lots of dogs in these times, mostly in the shade and all doing fine. I think the original post is a touch alarmist.

David Roberts ● 2345d

Very glad I am not a dog owned by some of the people on here. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/rspca-dog-heatstroke-heatwave-weather-1736945

Claire Moran ● 2345d

David - it’s when they’re walked in direct sunlight on baking hot tarmac. Or even worse, forced to run alongside their owners riding a bicycle.

Georgina Flint ● 2345d

Quite right.God save us from interfering busy bodies.

Chris Davies ● 2345d

'Very glad I am not a dog owned by some of the people on here. 'So, what has any one 'on here' said that makes them a bad dog owner? Apart from not agreeing with you that is.No one has said denied that dogs can be hurt if they get too hot. The objection is that you are asking EVERYONE to go up to EVERY dog owner and lecture them if they see them in the sunshine, basically in whatever circumstance. Only 25% of households own a dog and i suspect many of those never have. You're asking ~75% of the UK's population to tell the owner of their animal how best to treat it. If you think that is right or proportional then i think you may need to sit in the shade for a while and cool off.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

It's brass monkeys today. Better wrap my dog up well, and keep the pathetic little bastard inside.

Roger Talbot ● 2344d

Lol

Richard Kay ● 2344d

Georgina mention the ones that make the dog run along while cyclingt, it's the worse thing for an animal on a hot day and think they should have warnings against this.

Janice Evans ● 2344d

I was replying to David Roberts.  Did you actually bother to read the two links I posted? I don't think you could have. This is a serious issue, it is not an exaggeration.

Claire Moran ● 2344d

I only saw one from the Bristol enquirer or something. I scanned it and no one has denied that there are situations that can be bad for a pet. But i'm more interested in your 'Please remind anyone.....' comments in your opening post and why you think it is proportional or justified and not just asking people to poke their noses in.  For example, should we all (including those who don't know anything about kids) be required to tell anyone you see out with a child, that roads are dangerous for children etc etc.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

Dont let your kids run with lollipops sticking out the mouth,its very dangerous if they fall over. Even theo removed his when on the chase.

Julian Pavey ● 2344d

Thanks Julian. Do you have any advice on how best to carry scissors please?

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

Glad you're not a dog owner, Rob.

Claire Moran ● 2344d

ditto.

Rob Reynolds ● 2344d

I own two beautiful rescues. In hot weather they go out very early morning just as the sun is rising and late evening when the sun is setting.  Go and vent your bile on a more deserving cause, Rob. You come over as peculiarly nasty. There are lots of things happening in the world. Perhaps you should get out more.

Claire Moran ● 2344d

RobWhat you must remember is that nobody cares as much for their dogs as Claire does.Also nobody knows as much about dogs or their welfare as Claire does.In fact the way she behaves nobody deserves to have a dog apart from Claire.She has hectored and lectured people on this site for years and definitely will NOT accept any criticism of her behaviour.She's quite like Trump in some ways.I wouldn't waste your time arguing with her anymore, she's just a lonely old busybody who has nothing else to do.

Chris Davies ● 2344d

Actually, Chris, that is just how you have sounded for years. I hope you and Rob are both enjoying your lives.  Somehow, it doesn't sound like it. Being nasty to animal lovers seems to give you a sense of power.  What a shame that that is all you have to get off on. It's very sad.

Claire Moran ● 2344d

A valid, well intentioned and meaningful thread started by Claire. Yet a small group on here have, for some bizarre reason, seen fit to ridicule and insult her and in doing so have demonstrated their complete lack of concern and empathy for dogs and probably for animals in general. Shame on you all.

Loraine Pemberton ● 2343d

'demonstrated their complete lack of concern and empathy for dogs and probably for animals in general'Not sure how you make that leap, based on peoples objection to a call to arms for people to go and berate strangers about how to look after their dogs. Anyway, not agreeing with Clair and you seems to make you an animal hater. So i think i will follow Chris's advice and leave you to it.

Rob Reynolds ● 2343d

"Anyway, not agreeing with Clair and you seems to make you an animal hater."Me, an animal hater ? Laughable 🤣

Loraine Pemberton ● 2343d

No, not you, anyone who disagrees with you 2. I wouldn't cast aspersions in that way, as I've no idea how you treat them. Anyway, i really will leave you to it now.

Rob Reynolds ● 2343d

Sheesh - that's weird. Never mind enjoy your day, really 😀

Loraine Pemberton ● 2343d