Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are unfortunately common in the summer months — especially in adventure dogs who love to get out hiking, biking, running, or visiting favorite Sniffspots with you.
The warm weather doesn’t have to be a source of fear, though. Here’s what you need to know about heat stroke in dogs: what it is, what causes it, and how you can prevent your pup from suffering with a raised core body temperature.
Heat stroke, a more severe form of heat exhaustion, is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs in dogs when their body temperature rises to dangerously high levels.
Dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke than humans because they can't cool themselves as effectively. They have a limited ability to sweat (while they do have sweat glands, they produce a very small amount) mainly through their paw pads. Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature through panting.
The signs of heatstroke can be subtle initially — but the condition can rapidly escalate to life-threatening status. Common symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include:
Dogs regulate their body temperature through panting. If you notice your dog panting excessively, especially in a hot environment or during physical activity, it may be a sign of heat-related distress.
Heat-stressed dogs may drool more than usual.
Signs of heatstroke include your dog's gums and tongue appearing bright red. This indicates increased blood flow from high body heat, leading to possible heat stress.
Heat-stressed dogs may exhibit rapid, shallow, or labored breathing as their bodies try to cool down. This often looks like heavy panting.
Dogs experiencing heatstroke may become weak, wobbly, or even collapse due to heat exhaustion and changes to their blood pressure.
Dogs with heatstroke may vomit or have diarrhea.
An increased heart rate is a common symptom of heat-related illness as the body tries to pump blood and circulate it more effectively.
In severe cases, dogs with heatstroke can experience seizures or trembling.
Dogs suffering from heat stress may become disoriented or unresponsive, showing signs of confusion and inability to walk properly.
Heatstroke can be caused by exposure to high ambient temperatures, especially if the air is also humid (humid environments make it harder for your dog to regulate their body temperature through panting). It's especially likely in hot weather when a dog is in an environment with limited ventilation.
Heatstroke is more likely to occur in brachycephalic breeds (like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers) as they have difficulty panting efficiently. These dogs are more prone to severe heatstroke and medical emergencies.
Common factors that can lead to heatstroke in dogs include:
Here are some tips to help you keep your dog safe and prevent heatstroke on your warm-weather adventures.
Every individual dog's risk of heat stroke is different.
Ensure your dog always has access to fresh, clean water, especially during hot weather — but even if you're hiking in the shade or with a breeze, too. (Sometimes heatstroke is actually more common on days owners think are cool but that are still warm enough to affect our pets.) Hydration is crucial to help your canine companion regulate their body temperature and avoid thermal injury!
Create a shaded area for your dog to rest in when outdoors. Avoid leaving them in direct sunlight for extended periods. Be mindful of how the sun changes position throughout the day!
On hot days, avoid walking your dog on hot pavement or surfaces. These can burn their paw pads and expose them to a higher concentration of warm air immediately above the asphalt.
Avoid vigorous exercise during peak ambient temperatures. Instead, schedule walks and playtime during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late evening.
Even with the windows cracked, a parked car can quickly become dangerously hot and push your dog's core body temperature to unsafe levels.
Be mindful of your dog's energy levels and avoid pushing them too hard during play or exercise, especially in hot weather.
Keep an eye on your dog for any signs of heat-related distress — like the excessive panting, drooling, and weakness mentioned in the previous section — and take immediate action if you notice any symptoms of elevated body temperature.
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from heatstroke, take immediate action to cool them down and seek emergency veterinary care.
Why not ice-cold water or ice packs? These can constrict blood vessels and actually hinder the cooling process.
Heatstroke can be a life-threatening emergency. Prompt veterinary attention is crucial!
Even if a dog appears to recover from a thermal injury, internal organ damage may have occurred, so it's essential to have them examined by a veterinarian to ensure they're okay in the long run.
Veterinary treatments might include intravenous fluids (fluid therapy), close observation of vital signs, and other supportive care.
Prevention is the best approach! As mentioned above, avoid exposing your dog to extreme temperatures without proper shade, ventilation, and access to water. Be especially cautious during hot weather. Know your dog's predisposing factors. And never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a short period.
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Welcome to the Florida Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Florida based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Tampa, FL Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Tampa based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. This list is a subset of the broader Top Trainers in Florida list. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
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All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Much like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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Welcome to the Florida Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Florida based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
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