Hi everyone,

This may sound like a silly question, but today while taking my dog for a walk, I wondered if it was too much for him. He had more than the usual amount of frothy drool on the sides of his mouth (when he did a full body shake, the frothy stuff went everywhere, including on my pants!) >.<

Breathing heavily and more quickly than usual too, and of course he practically dove for the water bowl when we got home.

I feel kind of sorry for dogs in the sense that we can take our coats off, but they can't. Can dogs handle the heat?

(Just to mention, my puppy is a black lab) Any replies are appreciated, thank you!

yes & no. 1st long walk in a while..warmer weather than usual..lots of fun & excitement, maybe a little nervous= frothy mouth.

black coated dogs do have a harder time with the heat

you want to watch when the temp gets warm so Z doesn't over heat. bring a water bottle for him to drink from..you can teach him to gulp from it (he may be smarter than my guys who just can't the hang of it).

dogs don't sweat like people do. they pant. they also sweat thru the soles of their feet.

never give him ice water or ice cubes..it can cause his stomach to flip which is called bloat & is life threatening.

now..i wouldn't worry so much about heat..probably just too much fun after a lazy winter....but always have fresh water for him.

Signs of Heat Stroke

The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:

• Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
• Vigorous panting
• Dark red gums
• Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums)
• Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
• Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
• Thick saliva
• Dizziness or disorientation

What to do if You Suspect Heat Stroke

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stoke, you must take immediate action.

1. First, move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun right away.
2. Begin cooling your dog by placing cool, wet rags or washcloths on the body - especially the foot pads and around the head.
3. DO NOT use ice or very cold water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body's core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. In addition, over-cooling can cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems. When the body temperature reaches 103°, stop cooling.
4. Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog's mouth.
5. Call or visit your vet right away - even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an exam is necessary (and further testing may be recommended).

Tip: recruit others to help you - ask someone to call the vet while others help you cool your dog. Preventing Heat Stroke

There are ways you can prevent heat stroke from happening in the first place.

• NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the inside of the car acts like an oven - temperatures can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.
• Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When outside, opt for shady areas.
• Keep fresh cool water available at all times.
• Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat - especially obese dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, like Pugs and Bulldogs. Use extreme caution when these dogs are exposed to heat.

[HereIamBp]

Great comments everybody-especially the heat stroke info.
I agree with Stumpy. I carry a 20ounce soda bottle filled with water on long walks with my dog. She quickly learned it was for her and she would signal me when she wanted some. Regardless, I offer her water every so often above and beyond what she asks for just in case.

[unaluna]

My T has smaller dogs and does not have home air conditioning (what does he DO with all my money?!) Last year I gave him human "cooling neckbands" and he said the dogs went from panting all night in the hot house, poor little things, to not panting. They also make them for dogs, just google.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by hankster

My T has smaller dogs and does not have home air conditioning (what does he DO with all my money?!) Last year I gave him human "cooling neckbands" and he said the dogs went from panting all night in the hot house, poor little things, to not panting. They also make them for dogs, just google.

Hankster, what a great idea! I use those neckbands myself. I never thought of using them on the dogs. My Al (yellow Lab) struggles with the heat here in the summer. I'm going to try one of the neckbands on him this summer.

[lynn P.]

You received some very good info so far. Only thing I'll add is - when I go on a long walk I take water and a little container to put it in. I also take cues from Bella and she usually takes a break in the shade. If your dog doesn't seem to recover once home and is still panting or foaming - this could be medical or bloating as Stumpy mentioned.

[jazper]

Hi We used to breed Shetland sheepdogs and live in a very hot area. At times we put frozen bottles of water or blocks under the blankets of the dogs bedding (even just laid it on the floor with a towel over it). Watch the dogs go lay on them. They soon learn where its cool.

[tater]

Hi Melissa , I love how you think. Dogs and cats have a higher tolerance than humans, and with dogs te haseling, froth, and panting are mechanisms for cooling thier sytem. Much like we as humans sweat, but they can also become overheated. I came across a travel pet water dish at a dollar store a few years ago thats great. It's canvas exterior is tough for all rfaces and inside is waterproof vinyl. It folds easily to allow it to fit in a pocket or even tuck in your waistband. It will holds one 20 ounce bottle of water , and your good to go!

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

I use those neckbands myself. I'm going to try one of the neckbands on him this summer.

Matching outfits!

matching outfits!....which is always important...one can not or must not clash with the pets especially when perspiring (because remember...horses sweat, girls glow or if you must perspire )