Emilee Brewer
Alright, folks, Summer is in full swing, and it is getting HOT. We’ve already had several 80-degree days, and it’s only going to get hotter. So, how do dogs handle the heat, and what can we do to help them? Let’s find out!
Each dog is different in how it handles the heat, but there are some common reasons for a dog to overheheat:
Poor ventilation: if they’re stuck somewhere without airflow, such as a hot car without air conditioning, they can quickly overheat
Lack of access to fresh water
Breed: Short-nosed dogs like pugs, bulldogs, or boxers can’t pant as well, so they can’t cool down efficiently
Coat: A double-coated dog, like a golden retriever, is more likely to overheat than a short-coated dog, like a lab
Medications: just like SSRIs can increase the risk of heatstroke in humans, if a dog is on a certain medication like a diuretic or a beta blocker, it can increase their risk of overheating
A dog cools itself through panting, and they only sweat through their paw pads. Neither of these is very efficient, so the heat can cause some serious damage. Dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, too, which puts them at a higher risk of overheating. Their body temp runs anywhere from 100.5 degrees and 102.5 degrees. When their temperature reaches 106 degrees, they experience heatstroke. If they don’t cool down quickly, they run the risk of dying. That’s only an increase of four degrees, and it can cause so much damage. It’s not just the heat either, the humidity can hurt them too. High humidity makes it harder for them to pant, making it harder to cool themselves.
What exactly is heat stroke, though? Heatstroke is when the internal temperature of the dog gets too high. Heatstroke is life-threatening. If they make it through, they can have lasting damage. It’s important to know what signs to look out for to prevent heatstroke!
Watch their panting. If your dog is panting heavily and they are breathing super quickly, they need to cool down immediately. They also drool excessively, their nose will dry up, and their heart rate increases. Some dogs may experience a lack of balance, almost like they’re drunk. As they continue to be exposed to the heat, their condition worsens, and they go into shock; dehydration becomes more severe, their heartbeat becomes irregular, and they may become lethargic. As soon as you see symptoms, stop whatever activity you’re doing and get them cooled down! Get the animal to a well-ventilated and cool area, spray them with tepid water (not cold! Dramatically decreasing their body temperature can also cause damage, so it needs to be a gradual process), and use a fan to blow cool air on them. If you have a rectal thermometer, take their temperature. Try to get it down to about 103 degrees and then get them to the vet ASAP! If the temperature isn’t going down at all, this is an emergency, and they need to be seen by a professional immediately.
Asphalt is also a danger in the summer. I have to cross the parking lot of my apartment to get to the grassy area when I take my dog out, and I always run across to get to the grass as quickly as possible. The asphalt heats up quickly, and it gets hot. According to Climate Central, when the air is 77 degrees, asphalt surfaces can reach up to 125 degrees if it’s in direct sunlight. This is hot enough to burn human skin, and it’s going to hurt your dog’s poor paw pads. The general rule is that if it’s too hot for the back of your hand or your bare feet, it’s too hot for your dog. Try to walk them in the early morning or late evening if you have to cross asphalt. Otherwise, stick to the grass and shaded areas.
Prevention is the best way to avoid heatstroke. Now, I know some people enjoy the heat because they’re secretly lizards, but dogs don’t have the same options as us to cool down. And when I say hot, I mean anything above 80 degrees. Anything between 80-90 degrees is dangerous for dogs. Above 90? Forget about it. In 80+ degree weather, they should only really be outside to use the bathroom. Keep their walks short and stick to grassy, shady areas. If they have to be outside longer for whatever reason, make sure they have access to cool water, shade, and ideally a fan. You can also get them a little pool for a fun way to cool down!
At Francis Kennels, we very closely monitor the temperature for the safety of all our guests. For daycare, I always make sure they have water, and I shorten their playtime. I’d rather they get more rounds at shorter times than keep them outside longer. I do 15-minute rounds max and keep an eye on how everyone is acting. If it’s my rough group, I shorten the time because all that playing is going to increase their heart rate and lead to overheating even faster. My calm group may stay out a little longer because they mostly just sleep in the shade. Regardless of their energy levels, I let the dogs decide when they’re done. I don’t do any longer than 15 minutes, but if the dog is sitting by the gate ready to go in, I’m not going to force them to stay outside just because they haven’t been out the whole 15 minutes. I do multiple water checks throughout the day to ensure they always have access to water. For our boarding guests, we leash walk them so they can still get some sunshine and use the restroom. We have lots of fans, so if anybody is acting a little funny, we can get them cooled down quickly.
I’m not trying to scare you with this post. Being informed is the best way to keep your animal safe. Ohio weather can be super unpredictable, so it’s important to know what physical signs to look for and how to help if things get too hot. Knowledge is power, so always do your research and speak with your vet about how to best care for your pet in this summer heat!