As a dog’s temperature rises, blood rushes to the surfaces of the tongue, gums, and membranes to help transfer excess heat. Clear warning signs of overheating in dogs include frantic panting, extreme salivation, bright-red membranes, and labored breathing. The condition may quickly progress to a metabolic meltdown as their temperature rises to over 106 degrees Fahrenheit and dogs can no longer cool themselves.

An overheated dog may gasp for air, and the entire mouth will become grayish to purple because of the unmet oxygen demand. As the dog becomes dehydrated, their saliva thickens, and the dog may vomit and have diarrhea. Unable to stand, the dog might even have a seizure, become comatose, and die. Even if you can cool down the dog and they’re acting normally, rush them to an emergency clinic because their organs may have already been damaged and death could follow.

How to Keep Your Dog From Overheating

If you think your dog is overheating, quickly move them to a cool place and immediately spray cool (not cold or icy) water on the coat, ensuring it reaches the skin. Cold water tends to constrict the surface blood vessels in the skin and this reduces, instead of increases, heat loss. Here are other ways to help prevent overheating in dogs:

  • Ensure that your dog always has plenty of fresh water and shade, putting them outside only for short periods in hot weather.
  • Use a variety of dog cooling products, such as dog cooling vests and wraps. Dog cooling mats, and cooling beds for dogs.
  • Please note that certain several breeds should never be shaved due to their double coats and their reliance on them for temperature regulation. Some examples include the American Eskimo, Golden Retriever, Chow, Saint Bernard, Akita, Husky, and Alaskan Malamute. These breeds are specifically adapted to handle both cold and warm climates, and shaving them can be detrimental to their overall well-being.
  • Don’t leave your dog in the car in any weather, whether or not the windows are cracked. Even on a cool day (the mid-60s), the temperature in a closed car rises to 130 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes. The dog’s own body temperature increases the heat and moisture (especially for larger breeds), using up oxygen, and death can occur within 15 minutes.

Get your dog used to hot weather gradually. Don’t exercise them on hot, humid days. Even sporting dogs, such as water retrievers, can overheat if the water is warm.  Make sure to keep your home cool on warm days. Install a temperature alarm in your motor home, van, and house that contacts your cell phone automatically. If air conditioners and electricity fail and owners aren’t aware, dogs may be in danger.  Don’t place crated dogs under tents or in places that have poor or inadequate ventilation or warm, stagnant air.  Carefully observe elderly dogs, those that are chronically ill, or pets that have trouble breathing.  Be careful whenever you’re using dog dryers, especially cage dryers.  Observe your dog carefully, and if you notice symptoms of overheating, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Contact your veterinarian and your breed club and ask about heat sensitivity in your breed.

Use an electric fan to draw heat from the blood at the body surface. You can also fan an overheated dog yourself if an electric fan is unavailable.  Take precautions to prevent overheating, and know when it’s time to take immediate action.