The Dog Days of Summer – Don’t Let Your Dog Over-heat

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is now behind us.  As we march on to the 4^th of July, that means fun in the sun with your four-legged buddy. Whether it’s hiking, jogging, camping, or just going for a walk and throwing the ball, you and your pup are all in for a great summer.

But, along with the fun, you have to keep an eye on your pup (just like with children) especially when those temperatures start to soar.  If you’re new to being a dog owner, or if you haven’t had a pup for a while and are getting back into the swing of things, here are a few things to be aware of when it gets hot out.

I have Boston Terriers and German Shepherds, and heat and humidity affects different breeds in different ways. But all dogs when they’re out in the sun too long, and I mean the hot sun, can overheat and run the great risk of getting heatstroke.

Short-muzzled dogs, like Bostons, Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese, are more likely to suffer from breathing problems in hot weather than other dogs.  So when you’re outside with them – and my Bostons are ball warriors – you should limit their exercise on warm to hot days.  Otherwise, these dogs can get quickly overheat, with potential heatstroke, keel over, and then you’re in panic mode.

On the other hand, while short-muzzled dogs are more prone to breathing problems, don’t for a moment think that heat doesn’t affect other dogs as well. Dogs do not perspire like humans; they regulate their body temperature through panting.

When it’s hot out in the high 80’s, 90’s, the sidewalks and street pavements heat up pretty darn quick.  That can burn paw pads, cause discomfort and soreness.  So be sure to walk your pup earlier in the morning, or in the evening after the sun goes down.  Also, if you muzzle your dog, remember that muzzles can restrict your dog’s ability to pant.

If your pup loves the outdoors, and so many dogs do, be sure to have shade and water set up for your it.  I have this raised dog bed that I’m hoping will keep the dogs off the hot deck, but for the moment, this is an alien object to my pups who have zero interest in it.

How you can tell if your dog is overheated / has heatstroke

You can tell if your dog is over-heating, bordering on heatstroke by:

• By watching how quickly its panting or if it is drooling/vomiting
• If it has a highly elevated heartrate and very warm to the touch
• It’s disoriented / lethargic or has collapsed

What you should do to treat the overheating / heatstroke

1. Immediately get your dog inside the house (if air-conditioned) onto a cool floor, or if you’re outside, into a shaded area.  If you have a garden hose, start hosing your pup down.  Note that the water in a hose is usually cold, but not freezing cold.  You do NOT want ice water for your pup if you suspect heatstroke, because icy water can send them into shock.   
2. If you have a rectal thermometer, take the dog’s temperature.  If it is 103F-105F, you definitely have an issue; call your vet immediately.
3. Give your dog cool water to drink SLOWLY.
4. If you have towels or blankets, hose them or soak them in cold water and then apply them to your dog’s UNDERSIDE, or with smaller towels apply to the dog’s neck, to bring its temperature down.  You do not want to apply the towels and envelop the dog, because then you trap the heat on your dog. Change these wet cloths constantly.
5. Set up a fan, so that there’s a steady stream of circulating air.
6. Once you have stabilized your pup, get it to the vet.

Now, God forbid, your dog is having convulsions, get yourself and dog into the car, call your vet from the car, and inform them what is happening, because this is a bona fide emergency.  Try not to panic, stay calm, see if your dog will take water, and try to keep your dog as cool as possible on the way to the vet.

For dogs who became over-heated, if caught in time will be fine. But it will scare the life out of you. So bottom line, enjoy the summer, enjoy your dog or dogs, but remember that they’re not humans, and in the high heat and humidity, they’re relying on us to have some common sense to watch over them.

Finally, and this goes without saying, never, ever, leave your dog in the car in the summer. Even with the windows open, there is not enough air circulation to keep your dogs comfortable on a warm day. 

Many states or local jurisdictions have laws about leaving a car running unattended, so if you were planning to leave the car running with the A/C on, think again. 

I had my four pups in my SUV two years ago and left them in the car with the A/C running when I ran into Petco for a dog toy run.  By the time I came out ~ 10 minute later, I noticed my car’s windows steamed up, and ran to the car. My German Shepherd’s paw must have hit the A/C switch on the console, because the A/C was off when I opened the car door. I learned an extremely valuable lesson and God was watching over me and my pups.  Now on hot days, I leave the pups at home.

For dogs who became over-heated, if caught in time will be fine. But it will scare the life out of you. So bottom line, enjoy the summer, enjoy your dog or dogs, but remember that they’re not humans, and in the high heat and humidity, they’re relying on us to have some common sense to watch over them.