How Hot Is Too Hot for Dogs?

It's normal for individuals to want to spend more time outside with their family, friends, and pets as summer approaches. However, the heat can be oppressive at times. People may be able to stay cool by wearing less clothing and more breathable textiles outside, but dogs are unable to shed their fur to stay cool. It's critical for dog owners to understand when it's too hot for their dogs to be outside, as well as the indicators of overheating. Heatstroke is a severe worry in dogs, and if left untreated, it can result in death. When feasible, it's best to take measures.

What Is the Maximum Temperature for Dogs?

Some dogs, like some people, can acclimate to greater temperatures over time, but if the temperature outside is above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, you should consider whether your dog is harmed by the heat. In bright sunlight with no breeze and low humidity, pavement temperatures can be substantially hotter than the air, causing foot pad burns even if the air doesn't feel that hot. Because the pavement might be 40-60 degrees hotter than the air temperature, standing on it for 60 seconds can result in burns.

If the ground temperature isn't an issue, anything that is higher than a dog's body temperature for an extended period of time can be dangerous. Because a dog's body temperature is generally between 100 and 103 degrees, temperatures above that can cause difficulties for your dog, even if they are merely lounging outside in the sun. However, if the temperature is below 100 degrees and the humidity is high, this can be an issue because the dampness hinders a dog from effectively cooling itself by panting. If your dog is outside in the sun for long periods of time, especially if it is exercising, high humidity and temperatures in the 80s or 90s might cause problems.

Overall, the lower the heat has to be to negatively affect your dog, the more humid it is. If your dog is just sitting outside, it may be able to tolerate greater temperatures and humidity, but if you're going for a walk or run, you'll need to keep an eye on whether or not your dog is overheating. If it's too hot for you to stand in the sun comfortably, it's probably too hot for your dog.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Excessively Warm

You should know how to identify if your dog is overheating because there is no hard and fast rule about how hot is too hot for your dog. The first indicators that your dog is excessively hot include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, and bright red gums and tongue.

Breed Overheating Risk Factors

Unless your dog is a giant breed, size does not have a significant factor in whether or not it can handle high temperatures, although it can have a minor impact. Smaller dogs, on average, can endure higher temperatures than larger canines, though there are rare exceptions. Any dog, regardless of size, that is obese, extremely young, elderly, or a brachycephalic breed will have a difficult time in the heat. 1 Furthermore, as compared to a dog with short or thin fur, canines with thicker coats will have a harder difficulty staying cool.

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