How can I Keep my Dog from Overheating?
Hi Dr. Barchas–
I have a seven-year-old St. Bernard. He is very
healthy! With the weather getting warmer, I am
concerned about keeping him cool. The heat really
seems to bother him. When I let him inside he
pants so hard that I am worried he is going to either
pass out or have a heart attack!
So far, I’ve started limiting the amount of time
he’s outside. I took him to the groomer and had
him shaved. I’ve even started giving him dog ice
cream as a treat in the evenings. Nothing seems
to help.
What else can I do to help him? I’m really
concerned about his reaction to the heat this
summer.
Betina
Flower Mound, TX
There is no doubt about it: Saint Bernards were not bred to live in Texas. I am not surprised that your dog is having some trouble with the heat. Over time, he should be able to acclimatize and do well in your climate (I have seen Saint Bernards thriving in steamy, tropical countries). Unfortunately, it could take the beter part of the summer for him to get used to the heat. Until that time, you will have to be careful to prevent overheating and hyperthermia.
You have already taken several steps that I would recommend. I am strongly in favor of keeping him in an air conditioned location during the hottest portion of the day. Whenever he is outside, ensure that he has access to shade. Never leave him in the car on a sunny day, even if it isn´t hot.
All dogs should have access to drinking water at all times. This is especially important if overheating is a concern. Shaving your dog will help to prevent overheating, but remember that it will increase his risk of sunburn.
One thing I´m afraid that I cannot sign off on is the use of ice cream to cool him. Ice cream (even doggie ice cream) can contribute to weight problems, and dogs that are overweight are more likely to suffer from heat stroke. Instead of ice cream, I recommend that you offer ice cubes for him to lick.
Finally, for me there is nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a plunge into a cool swimming pool or the ocean. If you have a pool (and you are willing to let the dog swim in it) he may enjoy it as much as I do. Two caveats: do not leave him in the pool unattended, and do not force him to swim–it should be his choice.
If you are cautious and continue to exercise common sense, it is very likely that your dog will do well over the summer.
You have questions. 
I know that you’re the doctor, but doesn’t the fur act as insulation in the summer and actually can moderate the dog’s temperature? I live in Texas too and have a furry chow. We moved here from Oregon and although I was concerned about the change in temperature for her she has adjusted better than I have! Her coat sheds more in the summer here and by August she’s looking pretty scruffy, but she will go sprawl out in the sunniest spot in the yard on the hottest day. Crazy pooch! I don’t know how she does it.
My chow chow Zekey, LOVES to lay in the sun during the heat of the day and we live in Las Vegas! 115 degrees is not uncommon during the summer. We only let him be in the sun for an extremely short period of time…and we’re afraid to get a doggie door because he doesnt’ seem to realize it’s hot and that he needs to come inside. Silly doggie! His summers are spent mostly in the house with the airconditioning on. We go for walks only early in the morning 5:30am.
[...] great tips on keeping your dog heat-safe, check out our Vet Blog and today’s blog post by John Woestendiek of The Baltimore Sun. Add this entry to your shared [...]
[...] great tips on keeping your dog heat-safe, check out our Vet Blog and today’s blog post by John Woestendiek of The Baltimore [...]
I share my home with a Saint Bernard and a chow mix and would never dream of shaving either of them. I agree with the vet that AC relief and cooling off in water are great ways to keep your pup cool, but shaving will not help cool all dogs.
I would argue against shaving any double-coated breeds, honestly. Keep them thoroughly brushed/combed out, as matting can restrict airflow to the skin, but never shave them.
I wet my dogs head before going outwhich helps a bit, then again on the after a walk. As well I have considered a wet bandana – like the humans use around the neck. Since my dog is shorter hair it might help a bit.
I agree with all of the above people who mentioned not to shave a dog. I have three Newfoundlands and wouldn’t think of it. It does act as an insulation. I would like the Dr. to comment again on this particular topic.
Long coats do act as insulation. If dogs were cold blooded, thick coats would be extremely effective at keeping them cool in hot weather.
However, dogs are warm blooded. Their bodies give off heat, which is trapped by their coats. This, combined with high ambient temperatures, can lead to overheating in some individuals. The effect is exactly the same as a person would experience if he or she were to wear a warm ski parka on a hot day.
As I mentioned in the post, many dogs acclimatize to warm weather. Many Newfoundlands are capable of living unshorn in hot places.
However, dogs that experience difficulty in hot weather will be less likely to overheat if their coats are shorter. If you don’t want to clip your dog’s hair, then I recommend that you stick to the other ideas that I suggested.
I noted that it is suggested to ice cubes to cool a dog down. I have heard to NOT give ice cold water to a dog as that could shock their system. I suppose licking the ice cubes is a slow way to get cool water, but I would be curious to know if anyone else had heard that it is bad to give ice cold water to pets in warm weather?
I used to live in a hotter climate than I do now and gave my Lab mix a kid’s pool filled halfway with water. I didn’t have AC, so the house got too hot to leave her in. However, leave the pool in the shade or it will turn into a “hot tub”! I wondered why she wasn’t in it when I got home!
I’ve given my German Shepherd ice water for years. She loves licking the ice cubes. It doesn’t appear to have had adverse affects on her, and good job Ruth! Mine also had a kid’s pool until her dysplasia made it hard for her to get in and out….
I have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and the heat we have during the summer months has always been a concern to me, as well. They do surprisingly well, however, since they came from a breeder in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One thing I have found helpful is to given them snow cones. I shave ice for them and put carrot juice on it for flavoring. They LOVE it!! This way calories aren’t a concern, the way they are with the dog ice cream.
My 2 dobies luvs chewing on ice cubes on those hot day or after their daily excercises, but during the hottest part of the afternoon they do get to stay inside.
Amy, that’s the best idea yet!! I’ll have to prepare one for our neighbor golden who is always panting. Of course my sun worshipping chihuahuas don’t mind 100 degree temps and I have to pull them inside or they would cook themselves. Just like some sun burnt people our pets don’t always know when to say when.
Here in the north eastern part of Oregon it is starting to get warm ( 90 -100) we gave our Balck Lab a kiddy pool which he just absolutely loves. It is kept in the shade and fresh water added once or twice a day depending on how dirty it is. Now he likes to spend more time outdoors.
Our Chihuahua just thinks the kiddy pool is a giant drinking dish. :)
Our two border collies love the kiddy pool. We add fresh water as needed, and they LOVE the hose!
GREAT COOLING OFF TIP!
Hi everyone. I haven’t read everyone’s responses, so someone might have already mentioned this, but the best remedy I’ve found for my pooches in the heat is a kiddie pool! My current pup is 55 pounds in a tiny kiddie pool (larger pool is on order), but he runs around or lays down, then takes a trip to the kiddie pool, gets his paws and belly wet, bites at and drinks lots of water and goes back to playing again. It’s a minor inconvenience for a whole lot of laughs, fun and peace of mind!
I hope that helps!
I used baby apple or pear juice to make ice cubes, and would give my old gal one or two in her special “treat bowl” (small, rounded stainless steel bowl.) She would lick them and “chase” them around the bowl with her nose and tongue, until they melted enough for her to grab them, then chomp them up and swallow. Although I did not give her a bowl of ice water, I dropped two or three cubes into her water bowl several times during the day, to make sure it stayed cool, but not *cold.* I also used to dampen her ears (and wash her face) with a cool washcloth.
I mix a small amount of wet dog food with water to make a very special treat for my dog. I pour this into an ice cube tray and when he is outside and hot I give him one of his cubes. He loves it!! Better then just a plain ice cube!
PLEASE DO NOT SHAVE DOUBLE COATED DOGS LIKE SIBERIAN HUSKIES!!!! The coat DOES act to keep them cool. And it DOES NOT always grow back correctly when it is shaved!!!!
Check out this article:
http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/yourakc/2006/august/ask_akc.cfm
You are probably a very good vet, but you are horribly misguided in this advice.
You should NEVER shave your double coated dog! EVER. The fur that keeps them warm in the winter also acts to keep them cool in warmer climates. Not only that, but there is no guarantee that the coat will grow back the same. I have known huskies colors, markings, masks…everything to grow in differently after they have been shaved.
Nika’s already provided a link to confirm this. Please take a moment to read it. Thanks!
No to shaving double coated dogs. My husky does WAY better in hot weather then my lab. MUCH better actually. I knew their coats were protecting, but I had no idea that it actually made them so much happier. Also – as far as warm/cold blooded goes. Dogs can ONLY release heat through their huffing and puffing and their skin on their paws (the only place that dogs can sweat – which is why some of you might have noticed misty paw prints in your kitchen after a good run). By the way, this information all comes from my vet – I’m not just blowing steam, just merely another opinion.
As far as ice cubes go. I think with every dog breed it’s different, and you should really research. I know from experience golden’s and lab’s don’t seem to have issues. But deeper chested dogs (doby’s, GS, huskies, etc) can be more prone to bloating with such a shock to their system. SO RESEARCH before you try anything. Ask a multitude of people – especially those that know your same breed well. For example try starting here just as a heads up to be aware (bloating is scary that’s how my first husky passed):
http://dogblog.dogster.com/2007/08/09/ice-causes-bloat/
I started giving Jim Bear our toy poodle ice chips in his own special ice bowl. He loves it! It really cools him and he stops panting immediately.
See if he likes crushed ice, if you do not have access, he sounds BIG enough for ice cubes. he should only crunch on a few until he feels cool again. If you monitor him the entire time he is enjoying the ice, he should be ok. by the time he swallows it, it is not that cold
and YES KEEP HIM INDOORS IN ANY WEATHER.
SUMMER AND WINTER
SPRING IS THE ONLY TIME I WANT TO GO OUT AND STAY, SO MY JIM BEAR FEELS THE SAME
and I must agree, about
no do not shave his coat off. it is there to protect him from the heat, now with it off, he surely needs to be in the cool home
where ever is the most comfortable for you he should enjoy as well,
I have a 1 yr old Golden Retriever and we live in sunny California. I bought the Furminator and use it on a regular basis, especially during these hot summer months. I also give her ice water with ice cubes, which she loves to crunch on. She has a kiddie pool that she gets wet in during the day, and at night, we have a small, handheld water mister/fan that we use to keep her cool…it really helps!!
I think this is a great topic. But, I’d also like to see what to do when a dog IS in distress because of the heat. I was recently faced with this on a sweltering June afternoon: My fiance and I were enjoying our usual bike ride at DW Feild Park. Before we left the vehicle for our ride, I was commenting on the markings on a large dog that a woman was walkin by with. Later, after we had come almost full circle on our bike and about to return to the vehicle, I passed this same large dog. The owner was sitting on a bench chatting with some other ladies but the dog was about 10 feet away sitting in the shade of the tree. To me, the dog looked to be in distress: He was panting really heavily and was foaming at the mouth (or drooling some very thick drool). I told myself to mind my business and we returned to our truck to load the bikes. We were rounding the circle again to exit the park when I see the woman that had that dog up the street with two women standing nearby. As we near, I realize her dog is laid out on the pavement – I knew they needed help! We cranked up the AC, pulled aside, and I sent my fiance to grab the dog. It took the owner and my fiance to carry the dog because he was huge (a bit overweight) and completely lethargic. We put him in the backseat and drove him and his owner to the vet. During the ride, the woman seemed so oblivious to the distress he dog was experiencing and kept saying that she thought he could make it. Mind you, it was 99 degrees out, in New England, on that day! When we stopped and opened the doors, the woman tried to pull the dog out of the truck thinking he could walk (although he couldn’t manage it when we picked him up). My fiance and I raced to grab him and he began slidding off the seat from her repeated tugs – We were able to get him just before he hit the ground like a sack of potatoes. We left the woman and her dog there – Not knowing what else to do. I hope to god the dog made it and that woman never does something so dumb again. But, I don’t really know what happened after that. I want to believe we saved that dog’s life that day. But, I still have a sense we could have done more. So, please, post some thing on or put me in the direction of the things to do when a dog is experiencing distress from the heat.
[...] Eric Barchas, our resident vet, also has some great suggestions over at the Vet Blog. Add this entry to your shared bookmark service These icons link to social [...]
Pleas send me a diet for my two year old Rat Terrier.
She is around 20-22 pounds. I know she is over weight.
We do take her for walks in the morning.
Here in North Texas it is hot hot hot.
We feed her one cup of Imas weight control food per day, half in morning and half in evening.
Plenty of water is given to her.
We do give treats ,but have limited them.
Thank you, Pat Taylor
here’s a question. do the dog’s toenails put holes in the kiddie pool?
how much are kiddie pools?
I have a question for the hot weather time and my 2yr old Sheltie named Ozzy I have. How short do you trim their long-haired coat and do you not do it as short as a cocer spanial would be shaved down to grow back and cool him down? How do mthey keep cool in the summer with all that extra hair being the type of dog they are besides keeping him in our air conditioned house on the hot humid days here in Michigan where it is cooler than most other states because of the cool Laked Michigan?
Thanks for responding dogster!!
Jan Willison
jcwgoofylady@yahoo.com
My little shawney loves to be outside on the balcony all day. And she doesnt drink water until the night time. How can I know she is not dehiderated and she also wont eat either. she is just a little
Chihuahua.
Suggesting that the person who asked the original question shave her Saint Bernard in summer is absolutely terrible advice, particularly coming from someone who is supposed to be a knowledgeable professional, a veterinarian. I shudder to think how many people will read this post and run out to get their dogs shaved – leaving them more susceptible to sunburn and heat stroke.
Any experienced groomer or working dog handler can tell you that a double-coated breed, such as the Saint Bernard, the German Shepherd, or the Husky should never be shaved in summer. Their coat acts as insulation, trapping air between the layers of fur, and helping to regulate body temperature at the skin level.
The coat can only do this properly if it is not shaved and if it is kept well maintained by frequent brushing – in double-coated breeds, preferably using an undercoat rake to get any loose fur, mats, and tangles out of the hair.
The other important factor is getting your dogs used to the heat in your location. Unfortunately, most people’s dogs are inside an air-conditioned house nearly all of the day and night, save for walks (which become shorter and shorter the warmer it gets), and do not get a chance to acclimatize. If they had a chance to get out and get used to the weather, they would be doing much better. I’ve seen Tervurens working on K-9 teams in Iraq without dropping dead from the heat – and let me assure you, it gets lots hotter in Iraq than it does in Texas, AND the military does not shave its working dogs, which are mostly double-coated breeds.
The other big problem with this article is that it does absolutely nothing to help people how to recognize symptoms of overheating and how to treat them accordingly. You’ll probably have a whole bunch of people running indoors the second their dogs start panting now, because they’re worried their dogs will overheat.
[...] am the guest on that particular podcast. Several months ago when I wrote about the subject of preventing canine overheating it proved to be a remarkably controversial subject. So I was a bit hesitant to be interviewed on [...]