It’s great being outdoors with our dogs

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. 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.

1. Panting

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.

2. Hyperventilation

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.

3. Excessive thirst 6. Vomiting and diarrhoea

As well as panting, your dog will instinctively know that drinking water can help them cool down. Different breeds drink different amounts. For instance, smaller dogs like Yorkshire Terriers need less water than bigger ones like Labradors and Great Danes. If you think they’re thirstier than normal and are drinking much more, it’s probably because they’re too warm.

4. Excessive drooling

Certain breeds are known for drooling, such as Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bulldogs and Saint Bernards. It can be harder to spot when these dog breeds drool more than they usually would, but it’s something to keep an eye on when things get warmer, as it can show your dog is too hot. This applies to all dog breeds, so as well as excessive panting and the other tell-tale signs listed here, keep check on how much drool they’re producing.

5. Glazed eyes

There are lots of reasons why your dog’s eyes might appear different, whether it’s irritation caused by something getting in them or an infection that’s developed. In conjunction with soaring temperatures outside, glazed eyes are something to look out for. Similarly, there can be many things that cause your dog to be sick or have diarrhoea. Changes in diet, or eating grass or something else that doesn’t agree with their stomach are likely causes. Most dogs will suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea from time to time. When they display other symptoms though, it’s a good idea to call your vet, especially if you see blood.

7. Tongue and gums

Your dog’s mouth can tell you a lot. If their tongue turns a brighter or darker red than usual, then this could be a sign they’re too warm. Similarly, dry gums that become paler than normal can indicate their body temperature is too high.

8. Unsteadiness and confusion

Some dogs can be clumsy, especially large breeds like German Shepherds, who sometimes don’t realise how big they are. The sight of your pet staggering or stumbling is likely to be a cause for concern though. Confusion could also be a sign that they’re feeling weak and can lead to collapse.

Sovereign Housing Association has put £1,250 towards funding free places at summer holiday activities for children in Bristol.

The funding provides an extra 20 spaces on the sessions being run by All Saints Family Café at St Luke’s Church in Barton Hill and All Saints Church in Fishponds.

Activities range from games, crafts, cooking and nutrition sessions.

Amy Houghton, Community Development Officer for Sovereign, coordinated the grants programme. She said: “We understand that the summer can be a difficult time for some families, which is why we’re funding places on these programmes. We want the children in our communities to enjoy enriching activities and grow in confidence alongside their friends.”

Amy Goodwin, St Luke's Lunch Project Manager, said: “Whilst the majority of families look forward to the break of the school routine and the hope to get away, low income families dread the longest break from school. “Sovereign's funding allows us to work with families that are just managing to keep their head above water and offer some joy, fun and a full tummy for the whole family.”

Revd Lizzie Kesteven, Vicar of All Saints Church, added: “It has been brilliant to be able to partner with Sovereign, alongside Bristol City Council and Transforming Lives for Good, to provide meaningful and safe places for people and will be an amazing gift to some of the most vulnerable families in our communities.”

Amy Houghton concluded: “All of the courses being run also come with lunch provided. Research from The Food Foundation, spear-headed by Marcus Rashford, showed that, in September 2020, including 2.3 million children were in families reporting food insecurity, with the data also revealing that 12% of adults living with children were skipping meals because they could not afford or access food. We’re pleased to be able to make a difference in our communities.”