There are several risks when dogs spend time in the heat, including:
– Overheating: On average, a dog’s regular temperature is 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if this number rises above 102, your dog can become overheated. You will likely start seeing recognizable signs, such as excessive panting, weakness, drooling, rapid breathing, etc.
– Heatstroke: This is an advanced stage when overheating gets left untreated, and your dog’s internal temperature rises to and above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a life-threatening stage, which makes it imperative to watch for signs before your pup reaches heatstroke territory. All the symptoms associated with overheating can worsen, along with hyperventilating, rapid heart rate, lethargy, vomiting, and more.
– Dehydration: This occurs when a dog loses more water than they are ingesting. Water loss can occur through breathing and panting, for example, which can become increased in hot temperatures. Symptoms of dehydration include weakness and lethargy, loss of appetite, thick saliva, decreased energy levels, increased panting, and more.
– Burnt Paw Pads: When the surfaces dogs walk on are too hot, pups risk burning their paw pads. If you’re planning on walking on asphalt, test out how hot the surface is by using your hand—if it’s too hot to touch after seven seconds, it will be too hot for your dog’s paw pads. Visible symptoms of burnt paws can include red and irritated pads, but you may also catch your dog limping, licking their affected paw(s), or having difficulty walking.
