How To Tell if Your Dog Is Too Hot at Night

Even here in the Pacific Northwest heat waves are becoming more frequent in the summer. While we can generally minimize being outdoors on hot days, indoor spaces can get dangerously hot without air conditioning. So, how would you know if your dog is too hot at night?

Early signs of overheating in dogs include panting, which can get progressively noisy. The dog may drool, appear restless and uncomfortable, and feel hot to touch. Later signs include heavy panting and drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. If air conditioning is not an option, fans and good air circulation, cooling pads, ample water supply, and frozen treats before bedtime are all helpful ways to keep your dog cool at home on a hot night.

Is My Dog Hot at Night?

Even if you keep your dog from the heat outdoors, a house or an apartment can get hot and retain heat. It can be hard to tell if your pup is too warm at night, especially since many dogs are patient and may not show heat exhaustion until they are about to collapse.

There are, however, signs of heatstroke, which can be subtle at first. It is also important to consider dehydration because it is closely associated with overheating.

Signs of Dehydration

A dog can get dehydrated quickly when it is hot indoors.

Many dogs do not increase their water intake enough to adjust to high temperatures, which makes dehydration likely. A dehydrated animal is at even higher risk for heatstroke.

The following are the signs of dehydration in dogs:

• Dry pale nose and mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Fast heart rate
• The dog is not urinating
• Poor skin turgor (elasticity)

Mild dehydration is benign and resolves quickly when the pup drinks enough water. If dehydration progresses to severe, the dog can have seizures or develop cardiovascular shock.

Signs of Overheating

Early signs of overheating include the following:

• Heavy panting, which can turn into noisy breathing
• Restlessness
• Drooling
• Increased heart rate

If a dog’s temperature exceeds 104° F (40° C), it is at risk of deteriorating rapidly. The following changes signal an impending heatstroke in a dog:

• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Heavy drooling
• Unsteady gait, weakness
• Purple or bright red gums
• The dog feels hot to touch

How Dogs Regulate Temperature

The average dog’s body temperature is 100.5-102.5°F (about 38.5°C). Dogs have few physiologic mechanisms to help them cool down when it is hot.

The ideal range of temperatures is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). When temperatures are within the range, dogs do not spend any extra energy to maintain normal body temperature.

The TNZ ranges from 68°F to 80-86°F (20° to 26-30°C) for most breeds, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. If the ambient temperature is above optimal, the dog compensates to keep the body temperature at baseline but that takes energy. If the dog cannot self-regulate, the animal develops heatstroke.

The dog’s size, the coat’s thickness, and the head’s and airways’ shape all affect the animal’s ability to stay cool.

Individual Risk Factors for Overheating Indoors

Regardless of the dog’s breed and size, some characteristics make overheating more likely.

• Old age: elderly animals cannot regulate temperature effectively and many have health problems
• Very young age: very young dogs generally have low stamina for temperature extremes and exercise
• Poor health: acute and chronic health problems are major risk factors, especially in animals with conditions affecting cardiovascular or respiratory health
• Being overweight: household pets are prone to excessive weight gain, which lowers their ability to tolerate heat and exercise
• Dehydration: hyperthermia and dehydration go hand-in-hand and each can speed up the cycle
• Lack of acclimation: if your pet is more used to living in a cold or moderate climate, he or she has less tolerance to the heat than an animal living in an area with frequent hot weather

Environmental indoor conditions that put a dog at risk for overheating are the following:

• High air humidity compromises dogs’ ability to regulate the temperature in the heat indoors and outdoors
• Poor air circulation has a similar effect and puts a dog at a higher risk for heatstroke

How to Keep Your Dog Cool Indoors

If you believe that your home can get excessively hot, there are steps and adjustments you can implement to your environment that might help keep him or her cool.

• If available, promote good air circulation by opening windows.
• If you do not have a cooling pad for your pup, let him sleep on the coolest surface in your house or apartment. Hardwood floors or linoleum are usually cooler than the carpet.
• A damp towel to sleep on might feel nice to the dog. If it feels uncomfortable, your pet will leave and sleep on the floor.
• An ample water supply is essential: have a few bowls of water available, just in case.
• Keep ice cubes in bowls in the area where the dog sleeps: they will add some coolness to the air and your pup might drink them as they melt.
• Provide your dog mostly with wet food on hot days to promote hydration.
• Offer your pup a frozen treat at bedtime.

It is important to brush your dog daily to lighten your pup’s coat. Avoid shaving the dog’s fur but regular brushing helps improve blood circulation and promote shedding of old hair.

It is essential to observe any changes in your dog’s behavior. For example, if you notice that your pup is not sleeping well or behaves oddly after waking up. The dog might look exhausted or have an abnormal gait. Gastrointestinal issues are also common in dehydrated and overheated animals.

Do Fans Help a Dog Cool Down?

Fans do not help dogs cool down much.

Unlike people, dogs do not produce sweat on most of their bodies. Dogs’ paws and noses produce sweat but that is about it. So, a fan is not as effective for dogs as it is for people.

Some dogs might enjoy a fan, just like an open car window, others might even experience stress from a fan. Either way, whether your dog loves or hates the fan, he or she is not likely to cool down from it.

Does AC or a Fan Help A Dog Cool Down Better?

Air conditioning can lower the temperature in your home, so it helps a dog cool down well. A fan is far less effective in cooling off an overheated dog. If available, use AC for temperature control in your home for your and your dog’s comfort.