According to PETA in 2020 alone, 31 Labradors were highly affected and were hospitalized because of the weather. Thus, the weather has an immense effect on the Labradors. Your dog can stand weather a certain range on temperature.
So, you must know what the range is to make you’re your fur babies are well in shape.
Can Labradors tolerate hot or cold weather?
Labradors are prone to temperature change. The highest temperature the Labradors can handle is 90 F and the lowest is 20 F. However, the temperature they can handle is dependent on humidity, activity, water consumption, and other factors. But it is considered they are more tolerant to cold than hot.
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Labradors can handle a temperature ranging between 20 to 90 Fahrenheit. This range is considered cold. But this also depends on other factors such as their surroundings.
Labradors in hot weather:
Disregarding the heat and carrying your Lab baby can be fatal in some cases. Since Labradors have the risk of overheating in hot weather. One of the biggest contributing factors is their double-coat.
The heat penetrates the coat and gets sealed in there. Thus, even if they are brought back to a cooler place after staying a long time in the heat; it takes them a lot of time to cool down.
Labradors are popular home dogs and they possess a lot of energy. It is their nature to be in constant play and run.
In hot weather, they get tired very easily and the heat makes them very weak. Also, if the internal heat increases, they become vulnerable to sudden heat stroke which can be lethal.
Temperature above 90 degrees Fahrenheit is where things start to get tricky. Experts recommend that the owners should keep this in mind.
If you think, you are going to stay outside in a hot temperature for a long time, it is very important to have your dog prepared.
Labradors in cold weather:
While Labradors love the cold weather and snow, it is not a good idea to bring out your Labradors when the temperature drops below 20 degrees.
Labradors are built for colder weather but they can still face health concerns when they are exposed to cold weather.
Regardless of how cold the weather is, most Labradors love to be outside and run around the snow, but as a Lab owner, you need to restrict the time exposure for the well-being of your pet.
Labradors are bred for working in cold conditions, hence, the double coat. The double coat can aptly be described as “well-insulated”.
They are double layered as they have two fur layers, namely, the topcoat and the undercoat. This is what makes them tolerant of the cold weather.
Generally speaking, Labs can handle temperature drops to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this is not the same for every Labrador.
It comes down to how much cold you allow your Lab to get exposed to. Just because Lab can survive the cold temperature, does not mean, they are always acceptable to it.
There are times of the month, age, nourishment, etc. that can highly affect the cold weather tolerance.
What temperature is best for Labradors?
The preferred temperature for you Labrador baby is considered 50 to 80 Fahrenheit. But there are temperature that are considered harmful for them. Let’s get to know them.
Too cold temperature for Labrador:
Any temperature below 20 F is not right for your Lab baby. Over-exposure to cold weather can cause hypothermia and frostbite.
The topcoat is also known as the guard coat and it is rougher than the undercoat. While the topcoat is water repellent, the undercoat produces oil that helps them to sustain in cold weather. But, at -7 C or 20 F, they become vulnerable to the cold.
Too hot temperature for Labrador:
Any temperature above 90 F or 32.2 C is injurious to your Lab. So, when the temperature rises above this, it is best to bring your Labrador indoors for protection.
Nevertheless, it depends on the humidity and a nearby cool place for escaping the heat for a while. Most veterinarians recommend this for maintaining the overall health of your Labrador.
Ideal temperature for Labrador:
To be precise, the ideal temperature for a Labrador is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit (less than 20-30% humidity) and over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They remain in their perfectly happy and healthy self within this temperature.
Overly hot or cold temperatures make the Labradors uncomfortable and prolonged exposure to undesirable weather can result in fatal health conditions.
How to know if it’s too hot for a Labrador?
If you leave your Labrador in hot temperature, then you will find them to act weirdly. These acts can let you understand that your far baby is too hot. Let’s get to know these signs to know your fur baby better.
Panting:
The clear sign of hot temperature for a Labrador is panting with its tongue out. Like humans, canines do not sweat, they pant.
The reason behind this is that at high temperatures the moisture inside your dog’s mouth evaporates, hence, panting helps them to thermoregulate.
We often see after walking in sun our dogs’ pant with their tongue out. This is a major sign of hot weather. At this point, it is best to offer them water or ice chips. Water and ice chips will help them to cool down, and gain back the moisture in their mouth.
Lowered energy:
Another noticeable sign that your Labrador is uncomfortable in hot weather is the lowered energy.
If you see your dog with lowered energy and unwillingness to walk or move with rising temperature then, your dog can be at risk. At this time, you need to check your dog for heat exhaustion.
Checking for heat exhaustion is very easy. Body temperature higher than usual is caused by heat exhaustion.
Take her to the indoors or a cooler, shaded place and provide them with water. If the heat results in dizziness then, you need to see a vet as soon as possible.
Can Labradors live outside in cold weather?
No, they cannot live outside in cold weather. Longer exposure to cold weather can exacerbate certain health conditions. Along with this, if Labrador already face arthritis or joint pain, then that will make the situation quite worse.
Hip Dysplasia is a common health concern among Labradors. This disorder results in excessive wear and tear, and stiffness.
This health condition sometimes starts to make your Lab more vulnerable if they stay in weather below 20 F for a longer period. Along with this frostbite occurs in colder weather. In dogs, frostbite commonly occurs in the paws, ears, and tail.
The signs of frostbite become visible in your dog after a week of exposure to cold weather.
Tips to make sure a proper temperature for your Labrador:
There are some other measures you can take to keep your lab bay safe and happy. Let’s take a look at below to keep them happy at all times.
Wipe off the paws or have a bucket of water at door:
This is one of the best ways to keep your Labrador safe in adverse weather conditions. The ice-melting products pose a major health threat to your canine best friend.
You can use this trick to wipe off the products from their paws. Again, in hot weather, you can wipe off your dog before entering the home, to give them temporary relief from the hot temperature.
Also wiping their paws helps them to feel better in the summer heat. You need to remember that, their feet come in contact with the ground which remains hot in summer.
Since they do not wear any shoes or feet coverings, summer heat makes their paw very exposed. This helps to keep them cool and happy all summer long.
Find a refreshing treat indoors:
It’s very important for Labradors to use their energy. In harsh weather conditions, be it hot or cold, you can find a suitable way to enjoy it with your pet. So, find out fun activities you can do with your Labrador friend.
A swim in the swimming pool, running around the backyard, playing fetch, etc. are great ways to enjoy adversative weather conditions.
Always make sure that your Lab has access to clean and cool water for drinking because water is one of the best ways to keep your lab’s health in check.
In summer, you can make dog-friendly popsicles for your lab. You can also freeze some berries or fruits to give them from time to time.
Final thoughts
Labradors cannot tolerate too hot or cold weather. They need to be at an ideal temperature between 50F to 80F to maintain good health. But they can tolerate a range of 20 to 90 Fahrenheit. By taking the necessary steps, you will keep your Labrador cool, safe and happy in every season.