Summer heat creates significant welfare risks during exercise. Understanding safe exercise limits, timing, and recognition of heat-related illness protects dog welfare.
Summer exercise welfare requires adjusting activity patterns to accommodate dogs thermal physiology. Dogs cannot sweat effectively and rely on panting, limiting their heat dissipation capacity. Short-faced breeds have additional respiratory limitations reducing their capacity even further. Exercising only in early morning or evening when pavement and air temperatures are low, providing water during and after exercise, and choosing shaded routes eliminates most heat-related exercise welfare risks. Recognising early heat exhaustion signs including excessive panting, drooling, and coordination loss allows prompt intervention.