Signs of Dog Overheating – Do You Know What These Are?

If you are a dog owner, then you probably already know that the signs of dog overheating can often be mistaken as the normal symptoms of exhaustion. But, in reality, there are more serious signs of dog overheating. In some cases, your pet may even collapse on you as he or she gets too hot. At times, these signs of dog overheating are confused with the signs of heatstroke. Thus, it is important that you learn to recognize these signs and take remedial action immediately. This will ensure that both you and your dog are keeping safe and comfortable throughout the summer months.

One of the most common early signs of overheating is excessive licking of the face and ears. A lot of pets lick their owners just because they are too warm. The usual reason behind this would be that the dog is trying to cool down especially when there are cool winds blowing and the drink is too close to the body.

Another early signs of overheating is heavy panting. Dogs often start to pant even before they have had a chance to drink much water. However, if you notice your pet starting panting even when there is no need for him or her to do so, then there is definitely a cause for concern. It is also common for dogs to start to shake a little bit even when they are not hungry or thirsty. Again, this is a sign that he or she is getting thirsty. If you see your pet getting a bit sweaty, then it is best to get him or her to drink more water and let the body systems cool down.

The warning signs mentioned above are just some of the early signs of overheating. If you want to be more alert, then you need to keep an eye out for other tell tale signs like the appearance of dark circles around the eyes or heavy breathing. As previously mentioned, overheating can result in the formation of eye circles and even in the development of open wounds around the eyes. In these instances, it is best to keep your pet at a safe distance from the overheating environment. It is also important that you observe your pet’s behavior closely as sometimes these signs of overheating are just signs of a stressed animal and can easily be dismissed as being friendly and happy.

Other early signs of overheating include the presence of muddy paws and muddy coat. When dogs have not had a chance to drink enough water and are feeling hot, they usually go for the nearest watering can or water spot to drink. While it is advisable to keep a close eye on your dog if he or she is thirsty, it is not advisable to keep your pet near a shady spot as it can result in the formation of muddy feces. These signs of overheating can easily be attributed to stress and can easily be avoided by simply letting your pet drink plenty of water and frequent walks. Taking your dog out into the shady spot regularly will also help him curb his thirst due to dehydration.

Excessive barking is another of the early signs of overheating. This behavior can be attributed to a number of factors like when a dog has not had a chance to drink enough water in a while or when he or she is feeling too hot. Some dogs act out of habit when they hear or see someone going up the stairs or shouting at them. Some dogs show signs of overheating when they are left in a dark, cold or shaded place all day. The excessive barking is usually caused by the stress hormone that has been released by the body’s immune system, which then sends the dog into defense mode.

Some dogs also display signs of overheating when they are placed in a dark, silent, cool area. This is usually due to the fact that their nervous system has failed to send out signals to control the body’s temperature. As a result, the dog ends up staying awake and even shivering in such a place. Some dogs end up developing kidney failure if exposed to extreme temperatures, so it is very important to give your dog a cooling area where it can go and relax.

One of the most serious signs of overheating is fainting. When the body’s temperature goes up to intolerable heights, it causes the brain to override the signals from the sweat glands and send the dog into a temporary coma. If the dog survives this, then the cause of overheating has either been overlooked or ignored. The best way to prevent overheating is to let your dog cool down gradually from high temperatures. Some simple guidelines like using a cool towel, removing your dog from any harsh place as soon as possible and regularly giving him or her a cool bath will help prevent your dog from experiencing the serious signs of overheating.