How Hot Is Too Hot?

We worry about frostbite and hypothermia in pets during the winter months, although spring and summer weather brings heat stroke and hyperthermia concerns. You may associate these risks with pets left in hot cars, although in extreme heat, it can even occur in your backyard.

Here is a chart to determine “How hot is too hot?”

Source: Petplan Pet Insurance.

Note: The chart found above is not a reference to determine if you can leave your pet in the car in warm weather. The temperature in your car is always extremely hotter than the temperature outside.

NEVER leave your dog unattended in your vehicle.

Other considerations when to decide “How hot is too hot?”

• Age – Senior pets (they have more difficulty breathing and have trouble moving around, away from the sun).
• Breed – Brachycephalic dogs (they don’t cool air as efficiently, making it harder to breathe and cool down).
• Obesity – Extra pounds restricts their breathing.

Summertime should be about spending time with family and friends and enjoying the summer weather. The last thing you want is to rush to the emergency hospital if your pet suffers from a heat stroke or an unexpected injury. Be educated and enjoy the best months of the year with no worries.

Written by Monica Blanchard, RVT