Is it safe to bring my outdoor dog inside the house on hot days?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Keeping fans on to circulate the air and providing plenty of water are great ways to help keep Scout and Benny as cool as possible. I recommend opening any windows as well so that any breezes can help circulate air too. If you do these things, they should be safe to keep in the house in temperatures up to about 90 degrees. I would not play with them or exercise them in this heat as this can cause them to overheat. As a reminder, pets cannot sweat so they have to cool off by panting. If you think either of them are too hot, you can lay cool/wet towels over them and place them in front of a fan to try to actively cool them off. I would monitor them closely for excessive panting, especially if they are laying down and panting for prolonged periods. You can also examine their gum color and if it appears bright red, this can be a sign of heat exhaustion. If you see any of these signs, I would recommend having them evaluated by a veterinarian who can address their potential heat stroke. I hope this is helpful!

Heat stroke in dogs is characterized by drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, ataxia (wobbly gait) or even collapse. Any combination of these symptoms should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. That said, some dogs do not do well in the heat. These dogs should be kept indoors and have a supply of fresh water available. Exercise or activity outdoors should be limited to just leash walks for elimination.

You are a great pet owner for being concerned about this and planning ahead! In the oppressive heat, heat stroke can happen very quickly. Some dogs can learn to adapt to the heat and are better able to handle it (think dogs that work as partners for soldiers in Iraq or Search and Rescue dogs). Signs of heatstroke include: Increased heart rate Excessive panting Increased salivation Bright red tongue Red or pale gums Thick, sticky saliva Depression Weakness Dizziness Vomiting (sometimes with blood) Diarrhea As heatstroke progresses, it can cause seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death. Exercising early in the morning during the cooler hours, providing lots of fresh cool water and finding places to exercise in the shade (like a nature trail hike) can help keep your dog cool. Several companies make Cool Coats that reflect heat and funnel it away from your dog. Also, find other ways for your dog to get exercise or even exercise their mind. You would be amazed at how tiring this is for dogs- take a Nosework class and your dog can learn to find different scents and you can practice at home in the house. Pick up a few puzzle toys and let your dog learn to find food and treats in the puzzles. Also, you could see if your dog might enjoy a swim-- even a little splash pool at home can be fun for the dog or some hose play- Don't overdo a dog's can get very sick if they drink too much water when playing.

The temperature within a car can increase expeomtentoally for every minute a dog is inside their life is at risk. The greatest concern is the risk of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life threatening emergency and any dog experiencing it should be taken to see a veterinarian immediately. Signs of heatstroke include; •shade seeking •difficulty breathing •panting •bright red tongue •weakness •depression •vomiting or diarrhoea •coma •shock With Heatstroke cases the sooner a dog is seen the better the outcome. The vet will cool Whitie, provide shock doses of fluid therapy, provide oxygen, and treat complications such as heart and kidney failure. The psychological affects would be fear, anxiety and pain. All Of which can cause long term damage to the mental health of a dog.

I would strongly encourage you only to take short walks and do it first thing in the morning or the evening when it isn't as hot. To help keep her cool outside, be sure there is plenty of shade and water as well as a fan for her to get access to. Preferably, if you can keep her inside during the day, I would. Signs of heavy panting and laying on their side panting a lot are both early signs that she is getting too hot. As a heat stroke progress, they can become non-responsive, the tongue can be bright pink/red to even purple if she is having trouble getting oxygen. The best thing to do is to try to prevent this from happening. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Symptoms of heat stroke are usually apparent within a few hours from exposure to high ambient temperature. The most common symptoms are lethargy, weakness, panting and vomiting. Development heat stress symptoms 6-8hrs after a walk is rather unlikely but definitely possible. Ideally you should to take Maisie's temperature (human thermometer is fine, but it has to be measured in the rectum) and if it is above 104F, it will be heat stress. In that case you should cool her down and take her to your local vets.

Hi, heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires a vet's intervention. he needs fluids to help cool him. If you are unable to find a vet to take him to, you can cool him down by using cool water. Get a thermometer and take his temperature by inserting it into his rectum about one inch. The normal temperature is 99.5-102.5. You don't want to cool him down too quickly or he can go into shock so it is important not to use ice or cold water. IF his temperature is still elevated, you can soak towels in cool water and drape them over him. If he can swallow, spoon or syringe cool water into his mouth. Keep him comfortable and cool and stop cooling measure when his temperature reaches 101, so you don't make him too cold. It is important to take him to a vet as soon as possible because heat stroke can have long lasting effects that can be deadly. He will need fluids and antibiotics to help his GI system recover from shock. Vets should be open first thing in the morning. Good luck!