Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them: HOW HOT IS TOO HOT FOR DOGS

In hot weather, dogs face the same risks and level of discomfort as people dog. You may be wondering, how hot is too hot for dogs? 90 degrees Fahrenheit is considered too hot for dogs to spend time outside. But with high humidity, a dog could easily be at risk from just 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot weather is a concern, but high humidity can make it even more dangerous for your dog to be outside in hot weather.

Dog outside in hot weather. Heat and humidity can pose a health risk to dogs

Heat and Humidity can pose serious dog health risks

What Temperature Is Too Hot For Dogs?

Dogs sweat through their paw pads. Panting is how they keep their bodies cool. A dog's normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5. Heatstroke occurs when a dog's body temperature reaches 106 and heatstroke in dogs can be fatal.

If a dog is a brachycephalic (flat or short nosed) breed of dog, such as a French Bulldog or Pug, they are at greater risk of heatstroke and other heat related medical issues than other dog breeds.

Medical conditions like obesity or diabetes can exacerbate the risk of medical issues due to excessive heat.

On Stella & Chewy's web site I saw a chart where they share a method of factoring in humidity as well as temperature to determine if the heat index is safe for your dog:

"If the temperature (in °F) + humidity level add up to 150 or higher, avoid exercising your dog outdoors. For example, an 80° day with 80% humidity is too hot to walk your dog."

(80 + 80 = 160, 10 degrees too hot).

If you click the Stella & Chewy link above, you can see a chart that illustrates this method. I'm unable to copy/paste the chart from their web site here, I don't have the rights to do so, but you may want to check it out. The method was recommended by Dr. Justine Lee, Veterinary Specialist.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs

🐾 Limit walks to Short Walks and walk during the coolest times of day, so your dog spends less time outside walking in the heat. And be careful of hot pavement! It can burn dogs' paws.

🐾 Make sure dogs have access to lots of Shade when they're outside.

🐾 Provide plenty of access to cool, fresh water to drink all day inside and outside.

🐾 Never, ever leave a dog in a hot car. A hot car can heat up to dangerous levels within minutes.

Some Symptoms of Overheating in Dogs

🐾 Extremely heavy panting

🐾 Elevated body temperature, over 102.5

🐾 Drooling

🐾 Vomiting

🐾 Diarrhea

🐾 Unstable walking, or disorientation

🐾 Collapse

If you think your dog may have heatstroke, that is a medical emergency and the dog should be taken to the Veterinarian right away! Contact your Vet immediately. Try cooling down your dog with a damp cool cloth on the head, armpits, and paws. Don't use cold water or ice, just use cool water to slowly cool down the dog's body.

Many pet parents use cooling products for dogs to help keep their pups cool in the heat. Cool mats, Cooling vests, Cooling neck wraps, Dog Cooling coats, shirts, or hats, Cooling Dog Beds, even Cooling socks for dogs! You can find these online wherever pet supplies are sold. I had a cooling mat for my Husky, Icy, and it worked really well.

My dog Icy loved her Cool Mat, from the Green Pet Shop

A small kiddie pool in the yard can also help your dog cool off if she's feeling over heated.

We've seen a lot of hot weather and heat waves, pretty much globally the last couple of years. I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to help your precious pooch beat the heat!

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