WARNING: Playground surface too hot for dogs' paws

rustyboy21

Real gem.


Don't take it as someone was having a go at you. It was good you brought the issue up, but I don't see how the other poster was having a pop at you.

I too have noticed a lot of people ( mainly scallies with Staffies around here) that are walking the dogs in the height of the mid day sun and don't even think about dehydration after a playful time. The dogs seem to be dragged back home on their last legs.

I think everyone just needs to take into account that any surface which is dark/black in colour and is in direct sunlight, will be hot at the moment. It will be same with dry sand on a beach.

OP Keep up the great work in walking your dog, as you say there are loads who don't. Something you could look at is in the link below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mushers-Secret-Protector-60-Grams/dp/B0002IJQDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403291808&sr=8-1&keywords=mushers+secret
Some of the reviews make it sound like a Spa therapy for dogs !

On another topic, IMO anyone, who leaves a dog in a car at this time of year in the heat should be shot, they shouldn't have an animal if they don't think of the consequences. But that is another issue to mull over.

UKTigerlily

The problem is not just the hot concrete but heatstroke, each year many dogs die of this due to being walked during hot weather as they don't sweat through their skin but paws unlike us! Mine always is out early &/or late as I won't risk that. Great advice on the parks tho!

catkins

Dogs obviously vary as to how much heat they can take and the majority of owners are sensible on hot days.


I am probably slightly over cautious but I have a black longhaired dog (thick fur) and on sunny days I walk him early morning and late evening. He may well be ok to walk other times but I don't want to take the chance.


I am always aware too how hot the pavements may be on his pads. It's a 10 minute walk to my local park so no way of avoiding pavements.


OP, I am sure no one thinks you are not a good owner and the fact the you thought about the heat of the playground surface and that you carry water with you show that. I can also see GBNI's point as I, too, often see dogs being walked on a really hot day at the height of the heat and some of the dogs look to be struggling quite badly with the heat

GBNI

OP, you need to chill out. At no point was I implying you are a bad owner. As Person_One said, I was just adding to what you're saying.

lostinrates

UKTigerlily wrote: »

The problem is not just the hot concrete but heatstroke, each year many dogs die of this due to being walked during hot weather as they don't sweat through their skin but paws unlike us! Mine always is out early &/or late as I won't risk that. Great advice on the parks tho!

When we used to show we made a point of walking our dogs in the warmth to keep them acclimatised. Pulling a dog out to work or exhibit unacclimatised to warm weather and expect it to be ok ( or just to go for a walk) isn't fair. We took the same approach with the horses. If they compete in summer they must do some hot weather acclimatisation. Otherwise, mornings evenings only.