Whether it’s summer, or if you live in the Sun Belt where it’s warm all year, knowing how to keep your dog safe in the heat can be the difference between a fun day in the sun and a disastrous one.

When it’s hot, we know it.

Our body temperature rises, we sweat, we (hopefully) drink more water and do our best to cool down … whether it’s in an air-conditioned room, in front of a nice fan or a dip in the water.

For our friendly canine friends, it’s not so simple.

How dogs regulate body temperature

First thing’s first, the obvious — the fur. Yes, dogs’ summer coats are shorter than their winter coats. But at the end of the day, fur is an insulator. This means that even short-haired dogs can be at risk too.

For the most part, dogs don’t sweat. While it’s true they have sweat glands, the glands are only where the dog isn’t covered in fur. This essentially means their paw pads and nose — not a lot of area to help keep them cool. So how do they keep cool, you ask.

Dogs mainly regulate their body temperature through their respiratory system. Think of it like a canine-sized HVAC system.So … when Olive, a Great Pyrenees mix, breathes in through her nose, the air is cooled by the saliva in her mouth. This cools the blood in the veins and capillaries of her tongue. From there, the cooled blood then travels throughout her circulatory system. When the temperature is mild outside, the system works perfectly fine.

But when it gets hot, not so much.

When the temperature rises, Olive tries to turbo-charge her cooling system by panting. More air through the system, the cooler she gets — under normal conditions. However, just like home HVAC systems, the hotter it is, the harder it is for the system to do its job. Humidity, too, makes it harder for dogs to cool down because the moisture in their tongue doesn’t evaporate.

That’s why heat and humidity are so dangerous for dogs — it can easily overload their cooling systems.

How to keep your dog cool in the heat

Even with the tools dogs have at their disposal to keep cool, they’re not nearly as effective as sweating. So here are some tips to help keep dogs safe.

Keep cool water on hand. Since your pup’s main way to keep cool is through their mouth, a cool tongue is key. Water also helps keep them hydrated, which is vital during hot days. Take water with you on walks too.
Provide shade and a cool surface for them lay down on. Shade is an obvious one to help slow down the heating process, but it’s even better if you also have a cooling mat, hardwood floors or tile.
Grab a cold towel (or frozen veggies). Sounds crazy but it works! Simply place a cold towel or a packet of frozen vegetables on their head. Just be sure to only keep it there for a few minutes, and switch towels as they can retain heat.
Cool them down with — no surprise here — water. Many dogs love water, be it a bath, a puppy pool, a pond, mist from a spray bottle or even the hose. When the mercury climbs above 75° Fahrenheit, some dogs could begin to be at risk. Cool, not cold water, is best.
Walk your dog early or late. Not only does walking your dog during the hottest times of the day increase the chance of heat stroke, it also can be very harmful for their paws. A general rule of thumb is if you can’t keep your hand on concrete for at least seven seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

Things to Remember

Brachycephalic Dogs

Due to their shortened snouts, brachycephalic dogs are more vulnerable to heat, so be very watchful with your flat-faced friend when the temperature rises. Breeds include: Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bulldogs (English and French), Bull Mastiffs, Lhasa Apsos, Pekingese, Pugs, Shih Tzus and more.

Dogs in cars

Most people know not to leave a dog in the car when it’s hot outside. But the truth is even more surprising … when it’s a comfortable 70° outside, the inside of a car can climb to almost 90° in ten minutes. Worse yet, cracking a window “makes no difference.”

Signs your dog’s overheating

Compared to humans’, dogs’ cooling systems aren’t particularly effective. That’s why it’s extremely important that you keep an eye on your beloved dog when the weather is warm and humid.

Signs of heatstroke include:

heavy panting
dry mucous membranes
bright red tongue
dizziness

excessive drooling
weakness
thick, sticky saliva
diarrhea

rapid breathing
higher heart rate
red or pale gums
skin hot to the touch

What to do if I think my dog’s having a heatstroke?

If your dog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, the most important thing is to immediately get them in a cool, well-ventilated area. Once you’re in more a comfortable location, spray or sponge your dog with cool (or tepid) water — especially on their underside where the fur is not as thick. Do not use cold water or immerse the animal in cold water.

Last, but by no means least, call your vet.

Environmental Temperature Risk Table

* This is a generalized guide. Individual variations apply

F°	Small Dogs and Cats	Medium Dogs	Large Dogs
100°	5	5	5
95°	5	5	5
90°	5	5	5
85°	4	4	5
80°	3	3	4
75°	3	3	3
70°	2	2	3
65°	1	1	2
60°	1	1	1
55°	1	1	1
50°	2	1	1
45°	2	2	1
40°	3	3	2
35°	3	3	3
30°	3	3	3

** Adapted from Tufts Animal Care and Condition Cales for assessing body condition, weather and environmental safety and physician care in dogs.

Risk Factor
1 - No evidence of risk
2 - Low risk
3 - Potentially unsafe
4 - High risk
5 - Possible life-threatening risk

Add one or minus one Risk Factor

Obese +1

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) +1

Younger than 6 months +1

Old dog +1

Water available -1

10 Ways to Entertain Your Cat

You may also like …

Signs your pet is dehydrated — and simple steps to prevent it

Big dogs and their joints: The arthritis connection

What are dogs saying with their tails?

Explore More

Join our community