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7 Warning Signs Your Dog is Overheating

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Abigail is a animal and food lover who decided a long time ago not to... Read More

During the warmer months of the year, it can be hard to keep ourselves cool, let alone our furry friends. Heatwaves can be very hard on dogs as they are energetic creatures and love to play in the sun. Overheating is a very serious concern for dogs and should be taken into account every year. Being able to spot the signs can save your dog’s life in a moment of extreme heat.

One of the hardest things about being a guardian to animals is that they can’t speak to us and tell us when something is wrong. Because of that, you have to be able to pay special attention to what is going on and how they are reacting to it.

If you want to keep your dog from overheating or getting sick, these are the signs that you need to watch out for:

1. Excessive Panting

It is normal for dogs to pant regularly throughout the day. Dog do not sweat through their skin as humans do, instead, they pant to cool down. However, if their panting becomes excessive or frantic, you may need to start worrying since this could be a sign that your dog is overheating.

2. Drooling

Drooling can also be a sign that your dog is overheating. This can often happen because they are panting so hard to cool down that they start to drool. It can also be a sign that your dog is very weak and fatigued, which can also be a sign of heat exhaustion.

3. Excessive Thirst

Like anything that is hot, dogs will start to drink more and more water in an effort to cool down. If you notice your dog drinking frantically and drinking much more than usual, you may want to start trying to cool them down.

4. Vomiting

Vomiting is a more extreme sign that your dog is overheating and could be starting to have a heat stroke. If your dog starts to vomit on a very hot day, you should try to cool them down and take them to the vet immediately.

5. Increased Pulse or Heart Rate

If your dog is overheating and getting uncomfortable, they will also have a noticeably high heart rate or a fast pulse. You can often feel this around their chest and neck. If their heart rate or pulse seems high, try to start cooling them down and take them to a vet.

6. Weakness or Unbalanced

Dogs might start to show signs of weakness or may not be able to walk normally when they are too hot. They also might have dificulties getting up or sitting down. If your dog is fatigued or weak, they will probably spend a lot of time in one place and not respond quickly.

7. Discolored Gums

Another sign that your dog is getting dangerously overheated is when their gums turn to a dark blue or bright red color. This is a sign that they are overheating and should be cooled down. If they are showing this symptom with weakness or vomiting, they should be rushed to a vet immediately.

How to Keep Your Dog from Overheating

As dangerous as overheating can be for our dogs, the good thing is that it can be easily prevented. By following these few precautions, you can prevent your dog from overheating or worse:

Limit Outdoor Activity

Limiting your dog’s outdoor activity on particularly hot days is a great way to decrease their chances of overheating. They may want to go outside and play, but sometimes it just isn’t safe for them to spend too much time out of doors. Instead, you can find ways of playing with them indoors where the cool air is.

Keep Them Hydrated

Something that needs to always be out and accessible is plenty of fresh water. Dogs don’t need cold water but they do need plenty of water to drink to stay hydrated. Becoming dehydrated is something that can greatly worsen the heat and make them overheat much faster.

You could even make doggy popsicles to keep them entertained and hydrated!

Never Leave Them in a Parked Car

This should go without saying but never leave your dog in a car! It is far too dangerous and leads to hundreds of pet deaths every year. Even on more temperate days with the windows rolled down, temperatures in a parked car increase rapidly.

During the hotter months of the year, dogs should be kept at home as much as possible. They will be much safer inside of an air-conditioned house.

Keep an Eye on Them

If you are having an exceptionally hot day, it is important to keep an eye on your dog. Drastic changes in temperature can affect them in greater ways than we know.

The best way to avoid your dog overheating is to prevent it from happening. This means that you will need to keep an eye out for any warning signs that your dog may be showing.

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