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As the hot weather rolls in this summer, it’s important for dog parents to know the dangers of dogs overheating. In some cases, it can be fatal and usually occurs in your everyday activities such as exercising your dog.
Most dog parents know they shouldn’t leave their dogs in hot cars but dogs overheating from exercise is not as well known. In the UK, more dogs die from overheating due to over-exertion than they do by being left in a hot car.
Below I discuss the signs to look out for and how best to cool your dog down for a safe and fun summer with your furry best friend.
Dogs overheating causes
A dog overheating, often referred to as heatstroke, is when a dog’s body temperature rises above the normal range of 100°F (37.8°C) to 102.2°F (39°C).
As dogs can’t sweat like humans do, they have a much harder time trying to stay cool in hot weather.
Instead, dogs pant to cool off. They exchange the hot air from their lungs with the cool air outside. By removing the hot internal air, they are able to cool themselves down and regulate their body temperature.
In cases when they aren’t able to do this, their body temperature gets too high and they can suffer from heatstroke.
Causes of overheating include:
- Exertional: Dogs can over-exert themselves through activities such as exercise or playing. They can easily overheat if they are not taking enough breaks to cool down.
- Environmental: This can occur when dogs are exposed to prolonged high temperatures. This doesn’t always have to be outside, it can happen inside too.
- Vehicular confinement: The least common cause of heatstroke in dogs occurs when dogs are confined to a hot car. Interestingly though, it is usually the most well-known cause.
Signs of dogs overheating
As you enjoy the summer sun with your dog, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion. This is especially the case when you are exercising your dog in the hot weather.
The common signs of heatstroke in dogs are:
- Excessive panting
- Excessive drooling, sticky gums, and saliva
- Weakness
- Collapsing
- Labored breathing
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you notice any of these signs you need to take to your dog to the vet immediately. Try cooling them down with a wet towel on route to the vet.
How to cool down an overheated dog
For mild signs of heatstroke such as panting or lethargy you can cool your dog down by:
- Moving them into the shade or a cool room with air conditioning
- Giving them plenty of cool water
- Lying down a wet towel or cool mat for them to lie on
- Blowing a far over them
- Wetting their paws with cool water
- Wetting around their ears with cool water
It’s important to not panic and douse your dog with cold or ice-cold water. This can restrict your dog’s blood vessels making it harder for them to cool down.
7 tips for preventing overheating in dogs
The best way to manage overheating in dogs is to prevent it in the first place.
To do this you can:
- Take your dog for a walk in the morning or evening when it is not as hot outside.
- Be mindful of the temperature of the surface your dog is walking on to prevent their paw pads from burning. A good rule of thumb is to hold the back of your palm on the surface. If you can’t hold it there for longer than 7 seconds, it is likely too hot for your dog to walk on.
- Incorporate water into your dog’s exercise routine to avoid them overheating whilst exercising. This can include exercises such as swimming or dock diving.
- Provide plenty of shade for your dog when they are outside.
- Keep topping up your dog’s water bowl with cool water.
- Provide a cool mat for them to lie down on. If you don’t have one of these you can use a wet towel.
- Never leave your dog in a car on a hot day. It is not sufficient for you to leave the windows down for them. This will not prevent the temperature of the car from getting too hot.
Final thoughts
Overheating in dogs can be very dangerous and even fatal if not dealt with swiftly. By following the tips outlined above you will ensure your dog stays cool and comfortable in the hot summer weather.
It is important to remember that prevention is key when it comes to managing overheating in dogs, so make sure your pup has enough access to shade, water, and a cool surface to lie on.
By taking the necessary precautions to prevent overheating, you can be sure you and your pup will have a fantastic summer together!
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