How to Tell if Your Dog Is Overheating: Signs, Prevention and What to Do
Summer can be a wonderful time to enjoy longer walks and outdoor adventures with your dog, but warmer weather can also pose a serious risk.
Dogs can overheat quickly, particularly during exercise or on hot days, and heatstroke can become life-threatening if it isn't treated promptly.
Knowing the early warning signs of overheating, understanding how to keep your dog cool and knowing what to do if something goes wrong can help you keep your dog safe during the warmer months.
Why do dogs overheat?
Dogs don't cool themselves in the same way humans do.
People can regulate their body temperature through sweating across much of their skin. Dogs primarily rely on panting to release heat, along with a smaller amount of heat loss through their paw pads.
This means dogs can struggle to regulate their body temperature when the weather is particularly warm.
Some dogs are also more vulnerable to overheating than others, including:
- Puppies and older dogs
- Dogs that are overweight
- Dogs with thick or heavy coats
- Dogs with underlying health problems
- Brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers
- Very active dogs
However, any dog can overheat, even on days that don't initially seem extremely hot.
What are the signs of overheating in dogs?
Recognising the early signs of overheating is important because a dog's condition can deteriorate quickly.
Early signs
Your dog may:
- Pant heavily or more than usual
- Drool excessively
- Seem restless or unable to settle
- Seek shade or cooler surfaces
- Have unusually red gums
- Appear tired or reluctant to continue walking
If you notice these signs, stop exercising your dog and move them somewhere cool.
Don't encourage them to continue their walk simply because they seem otherwise well.
More serious signs
As overheating progresses, you may notice:
- Weakness or wobbling
- Confusion or unusual behaviour
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Very heavy panting
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
These can be signs of heatstroke and require urgent veterinary attention.
What should you do if your dog is overheating?
If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, treat it as an emergency.
1. Stop exercise immediately
Move your dog away from direct sunlight and stop any activity.
Get them somewhere cool, such as an air-conditioned building or a well-ventilated shaded area.
2. Contact your vet
Heatstroke can cause serious internal damage, even if your dog appears to improve.
Contact your veterinary practice or an emergency vet for advice as soon as possible.
3. Start cooling your dog
Your vet may advise you to begin cooling your dog while you arrange veterinary treatment.
Use cool or tepid water and increase airflow around your dog where possible.
Avoid using ice-cold water, as this can cause blood vessels near the skin to constrict and may interfere with effective cooling.
4. Offer water
If your dog is alert and able to drink, offer small amounts of water.
Don't force water into their mouth.
5. Follow veterinary advice
Even if your dog's breathing settles and they appear to recover, they should still be assessed by a vet following suspected heatstroke.
Complications can develop after the initial overheating episode.
How can you prevent your dog from overheating?
Prevention is always better than dealing with heatstroke.
Walk during cooler parts of the day
During warm weather, consider walking your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower.
You don't necessarily need to skip exercise altogether, changing the time and intensity of your walk can make a significant difference.
Check the pavement
Hot pavements can burn your dog's paw pads as well as contributing to overheating.
Before heading out, place the back of your hand against the pavement for several seconds.
If it's uncomfortable for your hand, it may be too hot for your dog's paws.
Remember that surfaces such as asphalt can become considerably hotter than the surrounding air.
Always carry water
Take fresh water with you on longer walks and make sure your dog has access to clean drinking water at home.
Portable dog water bottles and collapsible bowls can be useful for walks and days out.
Provide shade and ventilation
Make sure your dog has access to a cool, shaded area at home.
Good ventilation can also help keep indoor temperatures comfortable.
Never leave your dog in a parked car
Even when the weather doesn't feel particularly hot, the temperature inside a parked car can rise rapidly.
Leaving windows partially open does not make a parked car safe enough for a dog.
If you need to leave your car, leave your dog at home instead.
What about dogs with short noses?
Flat-faced, or brachycephalic, breeds can be particularly vulnerable to overheating.
Breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boxers can have anatomical features that make breathing and cooling themselves more difficult.
Owners of these breeds should take particular care during warm weather and avoid strenuous exercise in high temperatures.
Should dogs still exercise when it's hot?
There's no single temperature at which it becomes unsafe for every dog.
The risk depends on factors including:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Direct sunlight
- Exercise intensity
- Your dog's age
- Breed and body shape
- Coat type
- Health
- Fitness level
A healthy adult dog may cope well with a gentle early-morning walk that would be inappropriate for a brachycephalic dog at the same temperature.
When in doubt, choose a shorter, slower walk or provide enrichment at home instead.
What can you do instead of a long walk?
If it's too hot outside, your dog doesn't have to miss out on mental stimulation.
Try:
- Snuffle mats
- Puzzle feeders
- Training games
- Scent games around the house
- Short indoor training sessions
- Safe chew toys
- Food enrichment activities
Mental enrichment can be a great alternative when outdoor exercise needs to be reduced.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your dog safe in warm weather doesn't mean you have to stay indoors all summer. With a few simple precautions, you can continue enjoying walks and adventures together while reducing the risk of overheating.
Learn your dog's normal behaviour, pay attention to early warning signs and don't be afraid to shorten or skip a walk when conditions aren't suitable.
When it comes to heatstroke, it's always better to be cautious.
This is not a replacement for veterinary advice. If you are worried, please contact your vet.