How do you stop a dog overheating on walks in April?

It's 38 degrees by 8 a.m. now and my Labrador is panting hard after ten minutes, even in the shade. Walking at dawn feels too early for me, but midday is clearly impossible. How do you manage exercise in the hot season? Any signs of heat stroke I should know to watch for, and what do I do while heading to the vet?

4 answers

1. Most helpful for the asker

   BTBenjamas Thaweechai· 1 month ago

   Walk before 6:30 or after 7 p.m., and check the pavement with the back of your hand for five seconds. If it burns you, it burns paws. In the hot months my Lab gets a swim or a sprinkler session instead of a long walk. Short, boring, shady walks are fine.

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2. CWCharlotte Wilson· 1 month ago

   Indoor games saved us. Snuffle mats, frozen chicken broth in a Kong, hide and seek in the condo. The Lab didn't care that the walks were short once his brain got tired. Ours also gets a cool rinse of the belly and paws when we get home, which seems to relax him straight away.

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3. EFEkaterina Fedorova· 1 month ago

   Heat stroke signs: heavy drooling, wobbling, bright red or pale gums, vomiting, collapse. Cool them with room-temperature water, not ice cold, get the AC on in the car and go straight to a vet. Flat-faced breeds are at higher risk. Our vet said never to wait to see if it passes.

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4. JSJirayu Saengchan· 1 month ago

   Also wet a towel and lay it on the tiles for him. Dogs find the cool floor on their own when the AC is on. Also, never leave a dog in the car even for a minute with the AC off, and always carry a small bottle of water on every walk, even short ones.

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