27.06.2026 / Guides
Extreme heatwave with dogs
In the current weather, the best place for a dog is AT HOME!
Our house is currently 24 degrees Celsius, despite the lack of air conditioning.
Outside in the shade, it's 36 degrees Celsius.
In the sun, the temperature is 45-55 degrees Celsius.
The temperature of surfaces like sidewalks, concrete, or asphalt can reach 60 degrees Celsius.
Please don't plan walks or outings during the day in these conditions. It's safer to go first thing in the morning or after sunset. We also had plans – a family trip and a dog show in Krakow. However, we chose to relax at home and in the shade of the garden.
Don't plan even excessively active water activities with your dogs. Cold water actually reduces the risk of heatstroke (symptoms: heavy panting, apathy, balance problems, and vomiting), but dogs are at risk of water poisoning. And no, we're not talking about contaminated water.
Water poisoning in dogs (hypotonic overhydration) is a condition in which a dog drinks too much fluid in a very short period of time. This leads to a disruption in the body's fluid and electrolyte balance, which can result in brain swelling and pose a direct threat to life. This can occur during water play, where the dog may swallow excessive amounts of water. Remember, dogs can become agitated and fetch toys despite being overworked and overheated. (Symptoms include: coordination problems, vomiting, apathy, seizures, a bloated abdomen, and loss of consciousness.)
This isn't a common occurrence, but in the event of record-breaking heat (remember, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow will be even hotter than today – 38 degrees Celsius in the shade here), combined with fetching from a body of water, it can be a real threat.
