How Hot Is Too Hot for Dogs? Here's What the Experts Say

How hot is too hot for dogs? Our dogs can't fan themselves with their paws and tell us how hot they feel, but they have other ways to let us know they're heating up. One clear sign your dog is too hot is if their tongue is hanging long and they're panting a lot.

We spoke with a veterinarian to learn what temperatures are unsafe for dogs, physical traits that can make your dog more susceptible to overheating, and how to keep your dog safe and cool when temperatures skyrocket.

What Temperature Is Too Hot for Dogs?

Temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher are typically too hot for most dogs to spend time outdoors without overheating. Some dogs will have difficulty tolerating temps in the mid to high 80s. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog. But dogs can still overheat in temperatures that are comfortable for humans, especially in high humidity.

Bonnie Bragdon, DVM, MS, co-founder and president of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association, reminds us that a dog's temperature is higher than a human's—approximately 101 degrees F to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit—so ambient air temperature feels hotter to them than it does to us.

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University explains it this way: "The normal range of temperatures at which dogs and other species can maintain their body temperatures without expending energy to increase heat production or heat loss is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ) and ranges from 68 degrees F to 86 degrees F for dogs. Outside the TNZ exist the upper and lower critical temperature zones."

So how hot is too hot for your dog to be outside? It's important to monitor outdoor temperature and humidity, but also consider your dog's physical traits, such as size, age, coat type, health, and facial structure.

Factors That Increase Risk of Overheating

Some dogs need to practice more caution in hot temperatures because of physical traits or medical conditions that increase their susceptibility to overheating and heat stroke. These traits include:

• Brachycephalic, or flat-faced, dogs, like pugs or French bulldogs
• Age, with puppies and senior dogs at higher risk
• Long-haired and double-coated breeds
• Size, especially large and giant breeds
  
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease

Signs Your Dog is Too Hot

Excessive panting is a sign your dog is too hot and even a sign of heat exhaustion, Bragdon says. Dogs can't sweat to cool themselves off like humans, so they pant instead. When moisture inside your dog's mouth and on her tongue evaporates, this helps her thermoregulate. But if she's been panting for a while, it's probably time to head inside.

She says other signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Lowered energy
• Unwillingness to move or walk
• Rising body temperature

Keep a watchful eye on your dog as unchecked heat exhaustion leads to heatstroke.

How Hot Is Too Hot to Walk Your Dog on Pavement?

Place your hand on the pavement. If it's not comfortable to leave there for longer than a second or two, it could burn your dog's paws. Although dogs have durable paw pads, scorching surfaces can hurt them just as much as they would our bare feet.

For her own dogs, Bragdon limits physical activity during the heat of the day and mostly walks them in the late evening or early morning, when concrete isn't absorbing the constant blaze of sun and heat. You can also use thick booties or socks for protection, or take a trip to the dog park to play on grassy surfaces instead of walking on hot pavement.

If it's just too hot to walk your dog, maybe it's time to consider other exercise alternatives. Who's ready for a swim in a kiddie pool?

How To Keep Dogs Safe in Hot Weather

Bragdon says most dogs can stay safe in warm temperatures by following these safety measures:

• Provide enough shade and water
• Limit outdoor time on hot days to 10 to 20 minutes
• Walk in the coolest parts of the day, typically morning and evening
• Try a doggie daycare facility if your dog is particularly at risk of overheating

How Hot Is Too Hot to Leave a Dog in a Car?

It's always too hot to leave a dog in the car. The Humane Society of the United States remarks, "Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees."

Bragdon says she worries about heatstroke once the outdoor temperature climbs into the upper 70s. "Don't leave your dog unattended in a car once the temperature reaches 70 degrees F."

How Can I Help My Dog Cool Down?

• Make tasty frozen dog treats, like our favorite watermelon mint pupsicles or doggie ice cream.
• Give her a cool place to lay, such as in front of a fan on a cool wet towel, ceramic tile, or a chilled cooling mat.
• Always have a water bowl for her when you're on the go, and it's fine to slip her an ice cube or two.
• Break out the doggie pool or sprinkler for extra fun.