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We're not hyperaware of the temperatures here in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm rarely concerned about dogs overheating. But our mild summers (compared to the rest of the country) don't excuse us from protecting our dogs from heatstroke, and I've learned to keep our dogs cool on the few hot days we have in Western Washington.
What Temperatures Are Too Hot for Dogs?
Every dog is unique, and what is too hot for one dog may be tolerable for another. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I avoid leaving my dogs outside for extended periods of time (more than 15 minutes) when the outside temps reach 85 F or higher. I'm vigilant about my dogs' comfort on days when the temperature range is 75-77 F. I don't walk them on pavement, and I keep water handy.
Signs a Dog is Dangerously Too Hot
If your dog exhibits any of the following signs of overheating, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
- excessive panting, trouble breathing
- dehydration
- excessive drooling
- bright red (or very pale) tongue and gums*
- fever above 103 F
- your dog isn't urinating
- shaking, muscle tremors
- lethargy, weakness
- trouble standing, drunken walk
- vomiting, diarrhea
*Please note that gums that are very pale (even white) may also be a sign of internal bleeding. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog is listless or showing any other signs of illness or distress.
Overheating vs. Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke
Understanding the differences between overheating, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke in dogs is crucial for promptly recognizing and addressing these conditions to prevent serious health risks. Overheating is an initial stage of heat-related illness characterized by elevated body temperature: heat exhaustion and heatstroke are more severe conditions that require immediate attention. Here's a breakdown of each:
- Overheating:
- Overheating occurs when a dog's body temperature rises above the normal range (101-102.5 F / 38.3-39.2 C) without reaching critical levels. Signs of overheating can include excessive panting, drooling, increased heart rate, and seeking shade or cool surfaces. It is essential to help your dog cool down by providing water and shade and moving them to a cooler environment.
- Heat Exhaustion:
- Heat exhaustion is a more serious condition that occurs when a dog's body overheats and struggles to regulate its temperature. Symptoms may include weakness, lethargy, excessive drooling, pale gums, vomiting, and collapse. Immediate action is necessary to cool the dog down gradually by offering water, wetting their fur, and seeking veterinary care if symptoms persist.
- Heatstroke:
- Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, causing the body temperature to rise dangerously high. Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include rapid breathing, seizures, confusion, staggering, vomiting, and collapse. Without immediate intervention, heatstroke can lead to organ failure and death. It is crucial to seek emergency veterinary care immediately and take steps to cool the dog down while transporting them to the clinic.
Recognizing the symptoms and acting swiftly to cool down your dog and seek veterinary assistance can be lifesaving in heat-related emergencies. Prevention is key, so it is essential to avoid leaving dogs in hot environments, provide access to shade and water, and be mindful of signs of heat stress during warm weather.
Cooling Down a Dog that is Overheating
The main signs I've seen in my dogs are excessive panting, almost like they can't catch their breath, shakiness, and walking like they had a few too many at the pub. When we see this, we immediately bring the dog to an outdoor hose and run cool water on the neck, along the back, and down the legs to slowly reduce the temperature.
It's important to cool a dog down slowly; please don't put your dog in a bath of ice water.
We keep a dish of cool water on hand when our dog is ready to drink. Once our dog shows signs of improvement, we allow it to rest for the remainder of the day (even if it doesn't think it needs it).
And finally, I think it's a good idea to call the vet to review what happened if our veterinarian wants to see our dog. Our veterinarian will list things to watch for over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Preventing Overheating in Dogs
Overheating can be deadly, and although we don't have many 90-100 F days, I prefer to take steps to prevent overheating by doing the following.
1 – Keep My Dogs Hydrated
I keep their water dishes full, using filtered cold water. We allow our dogs to explore and play outside, but we bring them in for regular water breaks (we also have water dishes on the porch). I feed my dogs a raw food diet, which is very hydrating. But on hot days, I prefer to feed them liquid meals or add more liquid to the meals – bone broth or fish broth.
It's normal for raw fed dogs to drink less water. If we need to encourage our dogs to drink more, I'll add a couple of tablespoons of bone broth to the water dishes. And I love to make frozen bone broth treats (freeze the bone broth molds or ice cube trays).
2 – Walk/Play Earlier in the Day
We walk and play with our dogs before breakfast, adding a slow walk after breakfast. For the remainder of the day, I take the dogs outside for 10 to 15-minute jaunts on the property (grass, not pavement) every hour or so. We skip high-intensity games like fetch, allowing the dogs to wade and swim in the ponds or relax in the shade instead.
On the hotter days, 90-100 F, walking our dogs in the evening doesn't work because the pavement is too warm. It won't cook an egg, but it's uncomfortable for my dogs.
Finally, I leave my dogs at home. We don't go on playdates or car rides because I don't want to risk leaving them in a hot car.
3 – Cool the House Down
Before bed, I open several windows to help the house cool down overnight. When the internal temp reaches 71 or 72 F, I close the windows and kick on the A/C and fans. Air conditioning doesn't come standard in homes in our area, but portable A/C units are a blessing. We picked ours up on sale at Home Depot years ago, and they still work great today (they double as heaters in the winter).
If an A/C unit isn't in your budget, make your own…
4 – Invest in a Cooling Pad
One of our dogs runs hotter than the others, and we bring out his cooling pad once summer temperatures reach 80 degrees. Dog cooling pads are made with water or non-toxic gels to absorb heat from a dog's body. Depending on your dog's size, you can order them online or purchase them at local pet stores for $20-$80. If you're on a tight budget, check out the pet section of Marshall's, Home Goods, and TJ Maxx.
I've tried cooling jacks on my dogs but haven't noticed a difference.
5 – Brush the Dogs Regularly
We don't have dogs that require trips to the groomer; I brush, trim, and bathe my dogs at home. Starting in the spring, I brush my dogs every few weeks to reduce the shedding hair from their winter coats. But I'm not trying to rid them of their undercoat; they need it to keep cool.
The coats of our double-coated dogs effectively trap cooler air, keeping it close to their skin, which helps keep them cool when they go outside. Shaving our dogs or cutting their hair too short isn't necessary; their coats protect their skin from the sun.
If you have questions about grooming your dog for hot days, contact a local groomer for their thoughts and tips.
What About Kiddie Pools?
We stopped buying kiddie pools for our dogs because they won't get into them. We have ponds for swimming, so our dogs treat kiddie pools like giant water dishes. Instead of kiddie pools, I'll add ice to their outdoor water dishes. As the ice melts, the water remains cool throughout the day.
That being said, I highly recommend kiddie pools if your dog will relax or play in one. In the past, we've added lots of water-safe toys to the pool.
If Your Dog Gets Overheated
I listed this above, but I think it's worth repeating. If you suspect that your dog is overheated…
1—Stop all play and get your dog to cool water—a tub, shower, pond, or hose. Cool your dog's extremities (neck, legs, and feet) and gently allow water to run along its back. You want to bring down its temperature slowly.
2 – Offer your dog cool water and keep the dishes filled with fresh, clean water. If your dog is hungry, feed them a gentle meal on the gut – bone broth and fish broth are my favorites.
3—Allow your dog to rest for the rest of the day (and possibly the next). A cooling mat will do wonders in keeping your dog's body temperature down and comfortable.
If you don't have a cooling mat, rotate towels in the freezer. This will give your dogs a cool, damp surface to lie on. It won't remain cool for long, but it'll help as your dog is recovering. You can also allow a fan to blow on your dog lightly.
4 – Treat your dog with CBD oil to calm anxiety and alleviate any muscle pains as your dog recovers. I always keep EASE by CBD Dog Health and Earth Buddy Pet on hand because it's great for inflammation, joint pain, arthritis, and allergies. And, since it's CBD, it'll also cover anxiety. I apply a full CBD oil dropper on their gums twice daily for a few days.
5 – Contact your veterinarian. They may have tips specific to your dog, your veterinarian can tell you what to watch out for, or it may be necessary for your dog to have a wellness check.
Now, enjoy the rest of your summer safely with your dogs.
