As temperatures rise across the UK, the health, safety, and wellbeing of every dog in our care remains our highest priority.
Hot weather can pose serious risks to dogs, including heat stress, heat exhaustion, and potentially life-threatening heatstroke. According to the RSPCA, dogs are significantly more likely to develop heat-related illnesses while exercising in hot weather than from being left in a car, making careful management of activity levels essential during warmer days.
How We’re Keeping Dogs Cool at FDM Retreat
🐾 Outdoor play sessions are adjusted to take place during the coolest parts of the day and in some cases, we ask the owners to walk their dogs before they bring them in
🐾 Access to fresh, clean drinking water is available at all times throughout our facility every single day
🐾 All staff qualified in Canine First Aid including awareness of heat burns, hyperthermia and CPR
🐾 Shaded rest areas are provided both indoors and outdoors to allow dogs to regulate their temperature comfortably.
🐾 Water bottles taken on walks and regular breaks when it is warmer
🐾 Enrichment activities are adapted to include lower-energy games, scent work, puzzle activities, and mental stimulation rather than vigorous exercise.
🐾 Cooling aids such as paddling pools, sprinkle hoses, frozen enrichment treats, and air conditioning systems help dogs stay comfortable throughout the day.
🐾 Regular welfare monitoring ensures our team can quickly identify any signs of overheating, including excessive panting, lethargy, drooling, vomiting, or loss of coordination.
Breeds that are more at risk of heat stroke
🐾 Older dogs and/or over weight dogs who might not be as active and therefore might not be able to regulate their temperature as well
🐾 Brachycephalic breeds with a flat face, such as pugs, bull dogs and shih tzu’s
🐾 Dogs with a thick coat such as double coated breeds and long coated breeds
When we’re walking dogs at FDM Retreat
When it’s safe to walk depends on the dogs we have in, but we’ve given our clients the guidance below as a rough estimate of when we can and cannot safely exercise their dog.
Important Hot Weather Advice for all Dog Owners
The RSPCA recommends:
✅ Walking dogs early in the morning or later in the evening.
✅ Avoiding hot pavements — if it’s too hot to hold your hand on the surface, it’s too hot for paws.
✅ Providing constant access to shade and fresh water.
✅ Never leaving dogs in cars, conservatories, caravans, or outbuildings during warm weather. Temperatures can rise rapidly and become fatal.
For more expert guidance, visit the RSPCA’s hot weather advice:
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