Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are excellent pets for kids and adults. These dogs enjoy pretty much any kind of activity, as long as it means spending time with the family. Many outdoor activities, however, suggest being outside during the warm season, so it is good to consider if Cavaliers do well with hot weather.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not tolerate hot weather. The breed’s brachycephalic airways contribute to these dogs’ sensitivity to summer heat. Most healthy adult Cavaliers do fine with temperatures up to 85°F (30°C). However, avoid keeping your dog outside for over an hour in such heat. Your dog should not exercise outside in the heat and you should know how to recognize the signs of heatstroke in your pet.
It is important to consider the individual characteristics of your Cavalier and read your dog’s cues.
How Dogs Regulate Their Body Temperature
The average body temperature of a dog of any breed is 101.5 °F (38.5°C). Dogs have limited physiologic mechanisms to cool down if needed.
The ideal range of air temperatures is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). Dogs do not need to spend any extra energy to maintain their normal body temperature when the ambient temperature is in the thermoneutral range.
The size of the dog, the quality and thickness of the coat, and the shape of the head and airway are all factors that determine the dog’s ability to self-regulate temperature.
The TNZ for most breeds of dogs is 68 – 85°F (20 – 30°C), as defined by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. If the ambient temperature is high, the dog regulates by spending some calories to keep his or her body at normal temperature. Overheating occurs when the dog is not able to auto-regulate.
TRAITS THAT MAKE CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS PRONE TO HEATSTROKE
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels generally tolerate days as warm as 85°F (30°C). If you and your dog are going to be active outdoors, however, temperatures above 75°F (24°C) could be too high for these dogs.
If you are taking your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on a hike, a day not warmer than 70°F (21°C) is optimal. A shaded trail makes hiking easier if the temperature is a little higher.
It is not specific to the breed but it is important to remember that your Cavalier’s ability to sweat is insignificant, because only the nose and paws can produce sweat. So, the only way for the dog to lower his or her body temperature is to pant. Due to the absence of any other mechanisms, any dog could develop a heat stroke very rapidly, and Cavaliers have some additional risk factors.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have relatively flat faces, which is a major factor that puts them at risk for overheating. The following features make it more difficult to breathe and, hence, to cool down through panting:
- Narrow nostrils impair air circulation and any congestion exacerbates the problem
- A narrow trachea makes panting less efficient
- The long palate leads to respiratory problems
- Pouches of laryngeal tissue often obstruct the airway and sometimes even require surgical intervention
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is not as pronounced in Cavaliers as in some other flat-faced breeds but it still affects these dogs’ ability to breathe, tolerate activity, and regulate temperature. Many Cavaliers snore and snort excessively due to the shape of their airways.
Single-Layer Coat
Cavaliers have single-layer coats. The fur is sufficient to shield skin from UV light and it does provide some insulation from the hot air.
Dogs of this breed need regular brushing anyway and doing so promotes the shedding of old loose hairs. That way the coat becomes thinner and more breathable without compromising its integrity.
Your should never shave your dog’s coat. Shaving the fur or even trimming it too short reduces the protective function of the coat and puts the animal at risk for sunburn and heatstroke.
REGARDLESS OF THE BREED: RISK FACTORS FOR OVERHEATING
The dog’s traits can significantly affect the ability to tolerate temperature extremes and to cool down:
- Old age
- Very young age, less than a year old
- Being overweight
- Health issues, especially cardiovascular and respiratory conditions
- Dehydration
- Lack of acclimation: being used to higher temperatures allows the dog to adjust, but only to an extent
Two environmental conditions that put animals at a higher risk for heatstroke are the following:
- Poor air circulation indoors
- High air humidity outside
SIGNS OF DEHYDRATION
Dehydration is a risk factor for overheating and a dangerous condition on its own. These are the signs of dehydration in your dog:
- Dry pale nose and mouth
- Fast heart rate
- Sunken eyes
- The dog is not urinating
- Decreased skin elasticity
Dehydration is very dangerous to dogs. If it is not corrected quickly, the dog could become unable to walk and drink water and could progress to developing seizures and cardiovascular shock.
SIGNS OF OVERHEATING
If a dog’s body temperature reaches 104° F (40° C), the pup is at risk of deteriorating quickly. These changes herald an impending heatstroke in dogs:
- Heavy drooling
- Heavy panting
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Disorientation and poor balance
- Purple gums
- The dog feels hot to the touch, high body temperature
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY DOG OVERHEATS?
Overheating is extremely precarious for any animal. Cavaliers are highly vulnerable and their status could change in minutes. There are steps you should take immediately if you believe your pet is too hot:
- Move the dog to a shaded area
- Give your pet cool water
- Do NOT give your dog ice or put ice on the body
- Put cool wet towels all over your dog
- Don’t leave your pup alone. Keep assessing its behavior and level of alertness until you believe the dog’s temperature and behavior have returned to the norm.
If it is an option, consider taking your pet to a veterinarian, especially if your pup is unable to drink water or walk independently. The dog could need intravenous hydration and nutrition, and those interventions can be promptly initiated at a veterinarian’s office.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CAVALIER COOL IN SUMMER
Cavaliers do best in temperate climates, given their sensitivity to temperature extremes. However, there are general practices that help keep a dog cool and comfortable in summer weather, especially when running or hiking with your pet.
- Brush your dog daily to promote the shedding of loose hairs and make the fur thinner and more permissive to air circulation on the skin. Trimming the coat is fine but avoid shaving it unless it is medically indicated.
- Provide cool water at all times, at home and outdoors. When your pet joins you for a walk or a hike, bring some water along, and a foldable water bottle.
- Walk the dog on grass or ground, not asphalt. Asphalt trails get hot in the summer and increase the risk of overheating. In addition, the dog’s paws could get burned by the hot surface of the heated asphalt.
- Protect the paws: putting on protective dog booties provides a solid physical barrier to prevent burns or other injuries to the paws. Many dogs dislike wearing them but applying certified organic paw balm, or wax, to the paws is the next best option. Most dogs do not mind having paw wax on at all.
- Avoid the hottest part of the day: walk your pet in the morning or the evening, if possible. Woods and forests are ideal for walks and hikes in the summer.
- Provide rest periods, look for shade
- Consider water activities. Swimming in a lake is a fun way to cool down and exercise. Usually, Cavaliers do well with aquatic activities and spending time on the beach. A doggy pool on your patio or your balcony is a good alternative to a lake or river, as most dogs love shallow water to splash in.
- Purchase a cooling mat. If you don’t have an air conditioner indoors, consider getting a non-toxic cooling mat for your pet if your home gets too warm. Cooling mats are great for cars, too, when your canine travels with you.
- Invest in a good cooling vest. A cooling vest can be an asset if you hike with your dog or spend much time outdoors in warm weather.
- It is important to measure your dog’s chest circumference and use the size chart provided by the manufacturer because your dog won’t like a vest with a flawed fit. Your pet should wear the vest at home for a little to get used to the way it feels.
- Read your pet’s cues. Dogs in general often do not show signs of dehydration or exhaustion until they are about to collapse. Cavaliers in particular are so owner-oriented that they could try to impress the owner by playing and running around, despite being very tired. For that reason, it is important to pay attention to how your dog is behaving in hot weather.
Related Questions:
Are Cavaliers Good Running Dogs? Cavaliers enjoy sprinting but distance running could be challenging for dogs of this breed. The main reason for caution is the fact that Cavaliers have brachycephalic features, or flat faces and noses. Many dogs of this breed struggle with breathing and heat intolerance due to those features. Proper conditioning and choosing the right weather and running surface for your dog’s exercise will be crucial to keeping your Cavalier safe and happy on the running trail.
Are Cavaliers Good Swimmers? Although Cavalier King Charles spaniels were not exactly bred for swimming, they have several characteristics that make them very suitable for aquatic activities. Cavaliers are energetic and athletic. They are intelligent, easy to train, and exceptionally people-oriented. They also tend to do very well in crowded environments, such as busy beaches, for example. Overall, dogs of this breed do well in water and are capable of swimming.
