Hot Days & Animals

Have you wondered how Hot is Too Hot for Dogs Inside or Outside ?   What is the maximum comfortable temperature for a dog in a house without an air-conditioner.  How much do you care/feel the importance of your Pet, continue reading if you do not feel you know it all.  As I surely do not know it all.

FYI: The following are My Suggestions...having been owned by Canines Me/I D.R. "Doc" Young, my entire life, having lived in Arid (dry), and Hot & Humid Regions.

Age, current health status, you want to avoid a stroke first and foremost, the amount of fur, the thicker harder to keep cool, put on a Fake Fur coat, see how comfortable you are with No Fan, a Fan blowing, Air Conditioner on/off.  

Does your Dog prefer outdoors, does he she have plenty of water (fresher the better) is their water sitting in the sun, how often do you check, is there someone home to monitor, observe your Canine outdoors as you would your own children.

With plenty of water, air circulation and shade, most dogs will probably do okay in warm temperatures up to about 90˚F.   Probably, not that they Will, there are no Guarantees.

Some may say 90°F / 32°C is too Hot for themselves and stay indoors, so should your Pooch.  Dogs do not sweat; they cool themselves primarily through panting.  And the region of where you live Florida with Humidity vs Southern CA or lower AZ

If you are wondering about outside, wear your Fake Fur and see how you would feel, also you do not want to be taking your Pet to the Vet in an emergency due to neglect, that also can be costly.

Some Canines cannot easily cool themselves with Panting, as with short nose Canines as Bulldogs or Pugs.  Dogs of Colder Climate as with Huskies, Malamutes and Newfoundlands, have a harder time as well.

NOTE: Unless or Until you know your own dog's tolerance to heat, avoid leaving him unsupervised.  Same of in Vehicles, that goes for All Animals & Humans of Any Age.

Kiddie Pools, frozen 2 ltr or Gallon jugs can help to cool your Canine, have a bathtub of cool water reading in the event of possible Heat Exhaustion/Stroke as both can kill.  Chilled Treats, Peanut Butter Popsicle, or Ice are also welcome.

Be aware Dogs, Pets, even Amphibious can drown, ponds, pools, lakes, streams, rivers, even those Creaks, I mean Creeks.

Naturally Plenty of Shade all hours of the day, ventilated dog houses and igloos, do not count just the opening, have a form of flow through ventilation, just as you would have a turbine on your home to aid in extracting hot air from your attic.

If you can afford a big enough Dog House with Air Conditioning, with doggy door go for it.  Always be aware for yourself and life, your environment.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion/Stroke include (but are not limited to):

    body temperatures of 104-110F degrees
    excessive panting
    dark or bright red tongue and gums
    sticky or dry tongue and gums
    staggering
    stupor
    seizures
    bloody diarrhea or vomiting
    coma
    death

If You Suspect Heat Conditions (Hyperthermia) - Exhaustion/Stroke...seek veterinary attention immediately!

    Find some shade. Get your pet out of the heat.
    Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.)
    Cool wet cloths on feet and around head.
    Do not aid body cooling below 103 F degrees - some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold.
    Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian, but do not force ice or water to your pet.

Naturally know your Emergency Numbers, Have on Hand for Human and Animals, the quickest route to your Veterinarian Hospital, hours of operation, as Heat Issues can come at any hour.  Also, it is good to be able to Call Ahead, so your Vet knows you are coming.  Also Drive With Caution, you want to get there with your Best Friend No Matter How Many Legs He or She has, Tail or No Tail...same of Humans.

I welcome Comments, Share your Heat Related Experiences...Do Not Take My Suggestions as the Gospel, Know Your Pet, Observe, Prevent & Avoid, etc.

Another FYI Tip:...before you let your Pet onto the Hot Ground, Asphalt, Sand, Dirt, Concrete, check the ground temp...see if you can stand barefoot before putting your Pooch down, as ground temps can be 40°C/104°F to over 90°C/194°F

Stay Hydrated !!!

Additional Reading

Hot Car & Heat

Hot Ground

Here is to a Long and Healthy Life for You, Family and Pets

Hank n Buddy, with Our Dad & Mom's Permission