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As temperatures rise, dogs can easily overheat and suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Dogs do not sweat like humans - they cool themselves primarily through panting and by sweating through their paw pads. This makes it harder for them to get rid of excess heat, putting them at higher risk when temperatures climb. Knowing the signs of heat stress in dogs and how to prevent it can help keep your dog safe and healthy through the summer.
What Causes Heat Stress in Dogs
There are a few key factors that can bring on heat exhaustion or heat stroke in dogs. Let’s take a look at those causes in detail.
- High temperatures - Dogs struggle to regulate their body temperature. When ambient temperatures climb over 80°F, dogs have a harder time cooling off.
- Humidity - Humid conditions make it harder for a dog to cool itself through panting. The moisture in the air does not evaporate as easily from a dog’s tongue, throat, and lungs.
- Lack of ventilation - Enclosed spaces with no air circulation or ventilation concentrates the heat and prevents cooling.
- Lack of access to water - Dehydration makes it much easier for a dog’s body temperature to spike to dangerous levels.
- Age - Very young and very old dogs have a harder time regulating their body temperature.
- Excess fur/lack of brushing - Dogs with thick coats or dogs that aren’t brushed regularly can more easily overheat since heat lingers within their coat.
- Obesity - Overweight dogs struggle with temperature regulation and are at higher risk for heat stroke.
- Underlying health issues - Respiratory disease, heart disease, other illnesses can increase risk.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion presents itself through initial signs like heavy panting, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, increased body temperature (103° to 106°F), weakness, anxiety, vomiting, and unsteadiness/lack of coordination. This can quickly lead to heat stroke if left untreated, which causes symptoms like:
- Bright red tongue and gums
- Skin around muzzle/neck feels hot to touch
- Rectal temperature over 106°F
- Thick saliva
- Very rapid panting/breathing
- Collapse/inability to stand
- Seizures
- Bloody diarrhea/vomiting
Dogs in the advanced stages of heat stroke can experience organ damage and may even suffer brain damage. These conditions can arise in just minutes for susceptible dogs once their temperature passes 106°, becoming fatal once their temperature hits 109° to 110°F.
Preventing Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke in Dogs
Keeping dogs safe from hot weather involves monitoring temperatures, never leaving them without shade/cool areas, making water abundantly available, and limiting exercise on very hot days.
On hot days:
- Check the current temperature and know signs of heat stress
- Ensure dogs have access to shaded, ventilated areas
- Always provide access to fresh, cool water
- Avoid exercising dogs in the heat of the day
- Watch high-risk dogs closely
- Brush dogs regularly to limit heat buildup in coats
- Know if humidity levels are high that day
If you are traveling with your dog on hot summer days, you should be extra mindful about the risk of getting heat strokes. This is where you can buy a pet temperature monitor for your RV. Since it can provide accurate temperature measurements inside the RV, you can overcome heat stroke in dogs.
If you suspect your dog is overheating:
- Move it to a shaded/cool area immediately
- Wet dog down with cool (not cold) water; apply ice packs to neck
- Avoid extremely cold water/ice which constricts blood vessels
- Allow it to drink small volumes of cool water
- Take rectal temperature - if over 105°, seek emergency vet care
- Transport to veterinarian immediately if showing signs of heat stroke
Prevention is always key to keeping dogs safe in hot weather. Pay close attention to temperatures and humidity, gauge your dog’s risk factors, and be prepared to respond quickly to the first signs of heat stress. With knowledge of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in dogs, you can help make sure your pup stays healthy and safe all summer long. Heat stroke in dogs can be quite serious, especially if your dog is old or is having a serious health condition. Hence, make sure that you never ignore this risk.
