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🥵 Heat Is More Harmful For Your Dog Than You Think

🥵 Heat Is More Harmful For Your Dog Than You Think

Here's how to keep your dog safe this summer

Bryan Reisberg
June 06, 2024

Here’s How to Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

So Maxine and I spent a few days with Cliff and Brodie down in Florida, and OH MY GOD it was so hot. And now, looking at the forecast for the next few weeks has started worrying me. Not because I don’t do well in excessive heat (I don’t), but because Maxine, and all dogs, don’t do well in excessive heat. And after a bit of research, we found that heat can hurt your dog more than you think.

Unfortunately, if your dog is anything like Maxine, then your dog also NEVER really shows signs of physical pain. The good news is Maxine is tough as nails; the bad news is it’s hard to tell when she’s truly feeling unwell without other physical signs present. This becomes especially problematic when it’s hot outside and dogs can become exhausted significantly quicker due to the heat. So this summer, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat stroke, which we’ve outlined below.

What is Heatstroke?

Overheating. That’s what heatstroke is. It happens fast, and yes, unfortunately it’s life-threatening. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Heatstroke is an acute, rapidly progressive life-threatening condition, commonly recognized in dogs and characterized by a nonpyrogenic rise in core body temperature above 41°C (105.8°F) that causes direct hyperthermal injury to tissues, especially central nervous system, possibly leading to multiple organ dysfunction.” And at 109°, vital organs start shutting down.

But fear not! Heatstroke is preventable and, if caught early, reversible. Heatstroke complications like kidney failure and seizures might not appear right away, so prompt treatment is essential to save your furry friend's life.

Signs of Overheating

It’s harder (than with humans) to see the signs that a dog is overheating. For one, a dog can’t say, “Hey man, let’s go inside, I feel like I’m gonna pass out and also I wanna finish that pizza we had last night for dinner.” But most importantly, dogs don't sweat like us and have limited ways to cool off, mostly relying on panting. So here is what to watch out for to see if your dog is getting a little too hot:

According to the American Kennel Club, “An overheated dog may gasp for air, and the entire mouth will become grayish to purple because of the unmet oxygen demand. As the dog becomes dehydrated, their saliva thickens, and the dog may vomit and have diarrhea. Unable to stand, the dog might even have a seizure, become comatose, or die. Even if you can cool down the dog and they’re acting normally, rush them to an emergency clinic because their organs may have already been damaged and death could follow.”

But how can we recognize early warning signs of heatstroke? Here you go:

Excessive panting
A tongue, gums, inside of ears that are bright red
Slowing down or stopping on walks/runs
Drooling/salivating
Signs of general discomfort
Rapid heart rate
Wide, stressed eyes
Anxiety

As distress from heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke, you may see:

Gums that have turned pale
Mental dullness
Loss of consciousness
Vomiting
Diarrhea (may become black in color)
Dark or red urine
Seizures
Uncoordinated movement (stumbling, dizziness)
Collapse

Are Certain Dogs More Prone to Heatstroke?

Yes. Older dogs, chubby pooches, and the adorable squishy-faced breeds (like pugs and bulldogs) are often the first to struggle. Those with short snouts, or pre-existing health issues are also more at risk. Many people think all dogs with thick fur are also get hotter faster, but your dog’s thick fur is actually like a natural sun shield and heat insulator, so no summer buzz cuts, please!

Your Dog’s Thick Fur Can Actually Helps Them

Since Maxine is a fluffy corgi, a lot of people think that she gets hotter than a normal dog because she has a thicker coat of fur. But it’s quite the opposite. According to the ASPCA, “While you or I would hate to sport multiple layers in 100-degree weather, your pets' fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief. Acting like insulation, a dog's coat keeps him from getting too cold in the winter, but also keeps him from overheating in the summer.”

The undercoat, the layer of hair closest to the body, can prevent a dog from becoming too hot by keeping cooler air next to the skin. In fact, removing a dog's natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating, and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer.

While fur plays an important role in protecting a dog from heat, it's crucial to note that dogs, especially those with thick hair, can still suffer from overheating.

So yes, being “fluffy” can be a superpower.

How to Prevent Overheating

During hotter days, try and keep walks shorter, and stick to early morning, or early evening walks when it’s cooler.
ALWAYS have water handy, even on short walks
Limit exercise
Keep the pooch out of the sun
Bring portable fans
NEVER submerge your dog in icy water, because that will constrict their blood vessels. You can submerge them in cold water (just not icy), or even better, use a wet towel and cool them off gradually by applying the towel to their neck, chest and/or head.
I can’t believe we still need to tell people this, but unfortuntately it happens too often…but NEVER keep your dog in the car on a hot day…or even a warm day. Even if it’s just 70 degrees outside, the temperature inside can spike in merely minutes.

Anything else?

When you go out on a hot day, and your dog is about to trot their adorable little paws on a hard surface, first stop and put your hand to the ground. If it’s too hot for your hand, it will DEFINITELY be too hot for their paws, and will burn their pads. And if you see turf, check the temperature of that as well cause turf can get REALLY hot.

Be safe out there, and have a great summer!

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