8 critical signs that your dog is too warm and needs your help to cool down Summer is great for being outdoors with our dogs. However, whether you love to go for long walks with your dog in open fields or along the coastline, it’s a good idea to be prepared for hot and sunny weather. Overheating can be a real problem for dogs and it’s something you want to avoid. Your pet communicates with you in lots of different ways and it’s up to you to understand what they’re trying to tell you. Here, we take a look at eight clear signs that your dog is too warm and what you can do to help them cool down.
1. Panting
All dogs are at risk of overheating and heat stroke can result in long-term health problems and even death. Some dogs can find it more difficult to keep themselves cool. Puppies, elderly dogs, those carrying a bit of excess weight and short-nosed or flat-faced breeds like pugs and Boston terriers can be more susceptible to overheating. If your pet falls into one of those categories, make sure you keep a close eye on them.
2. Hyperventilation
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Dogs pant a lot. They don’t sweat like we do, but instead lose unwanted heat through their tongue. Panting helps them to get as much cool air into their bodies as they can. This allows the blood in their tongue to cool down, which helps them to regulate the temperature of blood flow throughout their body. If your dog is panting excessively, it’s likely they’re too warm and may need your help so that they can cool down.
If your dog can’t cool themselves sufficiently, it can lead to increased heart rate and hyperventilation. If they are hyperventilating, your pet will seem to be inhaling too much air and they might even snort. It’s likely that they’ll seem scared and it’ll be obvious that they’re uncomfortable. If you can’t help them calm down then you should take them to the vet.
