The summer heat is no joke this year, especially in the southern portions of the United States. When the weather is hot, it’s important to keep yourself and your pets safe.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious threats for dogs left out in the summer heat. In order to prevent these things from happening, you must be able to identify the signs of overheating and what to do if you see them.

Awesome 98 logo
Get our free mobile app

Signs of Overheating

  • Excessive panting or rapid breathing
  • Excessive drooling
  • Elevated or irregular heartbeat
  • Lethargic behavior or collapse
  • Disorientation
  • Vomiting or diarrhea

What to Do

  • Take your dog to a cooler area
  • Wet their belly with cool water. Not COLD water to avoid rapid cooling
  • Set a fan to blow on them and dry them off
  • Give them cool water. Not cold or iced to avoid rapid cooling
  • Check their temperature every few minutes until at 103 degrees
  • Stop wetting them when their temperature cools and take them to the vet for monitoring

How to Prevent Overheating

  • Never leave you dog in a parked car
  • Provide shaded or and cooled areas for them to lounge
  • Don’t walk them when it’s too hot outside
  • Make sure they have enough water

Now that you know how to recognize overheating, what to do if you see your dog overheating, and how to prevent it from happening in the first place, let’s all keep our dogs safe this summer. For more information, visit the official AKC website.

Plants That Ward off Fleas and Ticks

These plants help keep fleas, ticks, and other bugs out of your garden.

Keep Your Dog Safe During Texas Fireworks

Keep your dog safe during this firework season with these tips:

Natural Ways to Repel and Kill Ants

These methods can be used to keep ants out or get rid of them once they get inside.

More From Awesome 98