Written by Will Green, Director of Sales and Marketing at Paleo Ridge
There are few things better than spending the day with your dog. So, it's no surprise that Take Your Dog to Work Day has become a popular annual event, giving owners the chance to swap video calls for wagging tails and brighten up the office with a few four-legged colleagues.
Normally, we'd say, "Go for it!"
This year, however, the UK has other ideas.
With temperatures soaring well above what we're used to, many of us have found ourselves asking a different question:
Is taking your dog to work really the best thing for them?
Your dog's comfort comes first
While we love any excuse to spend more time with our dogs, hot weather changes the equation.
The journey to work alone can be uncomfortable. Hot pavements can burn sensitive paw pads, cars can become dangerously warm in minutes, and many offices simply aren't designed to keep dogs cool throughout the day.
Even if your workplace welcomes dogs, it's worth asking whether they'll actually be comfortable there.
Unlike us, dogs can't simply take off another layer when they get too warm. They rely on panting and limited sweating through their paws to regulate their body temperature, meaning they can overheat much more quickly than people.
Heatstroke is a real risk
Every summer, vets see dogs suffering from heatstroke, and sadly it can become life-threatening very quickly.
Dogs most at risk include:
- Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs (like my dog Misty)
- Puppies
- Older dogs
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with existing health conditions
Even healthy dogs can struggle if they're exercised or transported during the hottest part of the day.
Signs of heatstroke include:
- Excessive panting
- Heavy drooling
- Bright red gums
- Lethargy or weakness
- Vomiting
- Collapse
If you think your dog may be suffering from heatstroke, move them somewhere cool immediately, offer small amounts of water, cool them gradually using cool (not ice-cold) water and contact your vet without delay.
Sometimes home is the happiest place
As much as we'd all love an office full of happy dogs, the truth is that many dogs would much rather spend a hot day relaxing at home.
A cool kitchen floor.
Fresh water.
Some shade in the garden.
Perhaps a frozen enrichment treat to enjoy while you get on with your day. Our Bone Broth is great for that...
That often beats sitting in traffic, travelling on hot trains or spending hours in an unfamiliar office environment.
Sometimes, doing the kindest thing doesn't make for the best social media photo, and that's perfectly okay.
Keeping dogs cool in hot weather
Whether your dog is joining you at work or staying at home, a few simple precautions can make a big difference:
- Walk early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower.
- Always provide plenty of fresh drinking water.
- Create cool, shaded areas where your dog can rest (dogs naturally gravitate to shady spots in hot weather).
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
- Consider cooling mats, paddling pools or frozen enrichment treats to help them stay comfortable.
Raw feeding can help with hydration too
Hot weather often affects a dog's appetite, but hydration becomes even more important.
Because raw food naturally contains significantly more moisture than dry foods, many raw-fed dogs receive additional water through every meal. While fresh drinking water should always be available, feeding a moisture-rich diet can help support hydration during warmer weather.
Some owners also like to offer partially frozen raw meals or frozen bone broth treats as a refreshing way to keep their dogs interested in eating while helping them stay cool.
Celebrate the day... in a way your dog will appreciate
Take Your Dog to Work Day is about celebrating the bond we have with our dogs.
Sometimes that means taking them on an adventure.
Other times, especially during a heatwave, it means recognising that the greatest act of kindness is letting them stay exactly where they are happiest and most comfortable.
From all of us at Paleo Ridge, stay safe, enjoy the sunshine responsibly, and give your dog an extra fuss from us today.
