With the summer months right around the corner, many dog owners need to start preparing for how the heat will affect their dogs. Just like the hot sun can make it hard to be outside for longer periods of time for humans, your Golden Retriever, with their thick fur coats, can get hot quickly as well. Many people wonder if Golden Retrievers can live in hot weather during the summer.
Golden Retrievers can live in warm climates. Many of them enjoy the sun and getting to play with their families. Pet owners need to be mindful of the temperature and any warning signs they receive that tell them the Golden Retriever is getting too hot. Spending time in the shade, going on a walk in the evening, and even swimming or playing with water can help.
Let’s take a look at some questions a pet owner may have when living in hot climates. Pet owners should consider when they have their golden Retriever in hot weather and how they can make sure their dog stays comfortable, even when the temperatures rise.
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Can My Golden Retriever Live in Hot Weather?
Yes, Golden Retrievers can do just fine in hot weather, as long as their owners provide the proper care and attention. The thick fur coat of the Golden Retriever means it will get hot faster than many other dogs. Keeping their spurts outside to a minimum, letting them swim in the water when you are near it to keep cool, and providing lots of water to help them keep hydrated will all help.
If the weather is going to be warm, it is important to plan any outings with your dog before you go out. You should not take them for a walk or to run around during the hottest hours of the day. Reserve those for early morning or later in the evening when it cools down. When you are outside, do activities, like playing in the water, that will keep your dog cool, and try to have them stay in the shade as much as possible.
One thing that has worked for us living in a hot climate is having a kiddie pool. Although an adult golden can’t technically swim in a kiddie pool, they can get cooled off with some fresh cold water. Get the biggest kiddie pool you can’ find and fill up with some cool water your golden will love to go lay in the pool and cool down on a hot summer day.
It’s best to keep an eye on your dog while outside for long periods of time during the summer months. If there are any signs your dog seems to be overheating, take them inside to cool down.
Is It Ok to Give Dogs Ice Cubes in Hot Water?
It is fine to give your dog ice cubes in their water to help cool them down. If their water bowl is left outside during the summer, then these ice cubes should go in the water to cool it down as well. There are many myths about whether ice cubes are safe for dogs or if they can cause an emergency situation. Ice cubes will not cause any distress to your dog, and veterinarians agree that it is safe to add into a water dish for your Golden Retriever. You can also consider adding some treats or something else inside of ice for your Golden Retriever to chew on, keeping them cool and helping them to relax and stay in the shade while it is warm outside.
How do I Know If My Dog is Too Hot?
It is important for pet owners to pay attention to their Golden Retriever to see whether the dog is getting too hot or not. With their long fur and active lifestyle, it is not uncommon for the Golden Retriever to get overly warm in the hot sun.
When your dog is mildly overheated, it is likely it will start to pant a little more than normal and appear thirsty. A little panting is not a big deal in most cases and giving your Golden Retriever some water while keeping them in the shade, can help. When the dog’s panting becomes more pronounced, this can turn into heat exhaustion. Taking the dog inside and keeping them cool can help the symptoms of heat exhaustion go away in about half an hour.
It is possible your Golden Retriever will end up with heatstroke, which is a much more serious problem if you leave them out in the hot weather too long. The symptoms of this can include vomiting, drooling, nausea, inappetence, disorientation, restlessness, and dizziness in the dog. You may even notice that the color of the gums turns a bright red or very pale.
As soon as you suspect any type of heatstroke, you need to seek emergency care. Your vet needs to be called to give you advice on how to take care of the dog. It is possible for your dog to make a full recovery from heatstroke, but fast action must be taken to keep them safe.
What Should I Do If My Dog is Overheated?
If you are outside on a hot day with your dog and start to notice they are overheating, it is important to take immediate action to help them cool down and prevent any problems later on. The first goal is to get the dog inside or to a cool place. If you are out at a park and can’t make it inside, then try to get the car cooled down and the fan directly blowing on them until you can make it somewhere inside. Once inside, turn the air conditioner on nice and cold and place the dog in front of a fan.
While your dog is cooling off, get some towels wet with cool water to use. You will need to place these behind the back legs, the armpits, and the neck of the dog as much as you can. It may be a good idea to gently wet the paws or the dog’s ears with some cool water to bring the high temperature down a little bit.
Next, try to give your dog a little bit of cold water to drink. If they are willing to drink a little bit, this can help prevent dehydration and cool the dog down. You do not need to force your dog to drink, though. Sometimes they may want to cool down a bit rather than drinking a lot of water. Leave the cool water by your dog but allow them to choose whether they want to drink it or not.
If you notice that the dog is still warm and not cooling down, or there are still a lot of the overheating symptoms around after you have been inside for a long time, then you need to take your Golden Retriever to the vet. Call your vet on the way there so they can be prepared and start the treatment as soon as you arrive. If the dog goes unconscious, you should not delay at all and head straight to the animal ER or vet clinic right away.
What are Signs of Hyperthermia
There are a lot of signs of hyperthermia, and it is imperative that the dog owner learns how tolook for some of the early signs to protect their dog. Some include:
- Dehydration
- Dark, red gums
- Trouble with breathing
- Feeling hot to the touch
- Really heavy panting as the dog works to cool down
- A body temperature of the dog higher than 103 degrees.
- Excessive drooling
- Fast heart rate
- Flushed skin that is red
- Tremors like they are shivering even though they are hot
- Wobbly
- Vomiting, especially if there is blood in the vomit
Hyperthermia is an increased body temperature in dogs not caused by a fever. It is often caused when the dog’s body temperature gets too high because of hot temperatures around them and the struggle for the dog to cool down naturally because of that. Pet owners need to be on the lookout for signs of hyperthermia to help keep their pets safe.
When the pet owner starts to notice there are more than one of these signs present in their dog after being outside on a hot day, it is important to seek immediate help and attention for their Golden Retriever. Do not try to cool the dog down on your own. Instead, visit their vet to get the proper treatment and help your dog cool down and be healthy again. Waiting can be dangerous and may cause the dog to experience more symptoms than before.
Keeping Your Dog Well-Groomed
One thing that you can do to help your Golden Retriever keep a little bit cool when they are outside is to perform regular grooming. This will help to remove some of the hair and insulating fluff that may make them warm. This fur is great in the winter for your dog not to get cold. But it can get in the way and make your dog overheat when they are out in the hot temperatures of summer.
Dogs are often more likely to shed any extra hair when summer comes around, but you may need to do a daily brushing to make sure they get rid of it effectively, and they can stay cool. A good trim for your Golden Retriever can help them. If you feel comfortable enough doing this, then go ahead with the trimming on your own. If not, consider a professional groomer to make it easier.
After the trim, keep in mind that the skin of your Golden Retriever could be more sensitive to the sun than before. Use a few sun cream options that are safe for pets to ensure the skin does not burn while they are out.
How to Avoid Overheating On Hot Days
There are a few things that pet owners can try to do to help their dog stay cool on those hot days. Some of the things you should do to help your Golden Retriever nice and cool includes:
Limit Time Outside
When the day is going to get really hot or humid, you need to limit the amount of time your dog is outside. While your dog does need some exercise outside, you need to save those for the early morning or late evening. If you do take them outside, go with swimming or letting them run through the sprinkler can be a great way to keep them cool.
Keep Them Hydrated
If you want to spend time outside, make sure that you bring some water along for the trip. Give them a lot of breaks and make sure they drink plenty of water.
Never Leave Them Alone in the Car
Pet owners should never leave their dog alone in a car when it is hot. Even if you do leave the car parked in an area that is shaded and has the windows down, the temperatures in the car can skyrocket in no time. Never leave your dog alone in the car.
Monitor Your Dog
If your dog is laying out in the sun or they want to spend some more time outside, pay close attention to see if they have any signs if they are stressed. Prevention is always the best course of action to keep your dog safe during the high heats. Knowing the signs of your dog overheating is the best way to ensure they do not get too hot.
Take Away – Keeping Your Dog Cool
When the hot summer months finally show up, it is likely that you will need to use a few more precautions to help your dog stay safe in the hot sun. Your Golden Retriever will need to limit their time outside and make sure they do not go out too much or for too long to avoid getting too hot. If your dog needs to get some exercise and spend time outside, you need to consider doing walks and playtime during the early morning hours and later at night when the temperatures are not as hot. This can prevent overheating for the dog and can keep them from getting sick.
When you do need to spend some time outside with your Golden Retriever, use the right precautions along the way. Watch them for signs and learn how to keep them cool if their own body temperature starts to get too high. This will keep them safe no matter what the weather is doing outside.