If your dog starts feeling overheated, you’d better keep an eye out before they become a hot dog!
As pet owners, we all know how excited our furry friends can get whenever we bring them out for a walk.
But as we stroll under the blazing sun, we may start to notice them panting a little harder than usual.
Next thing we know, we’re cleaning up dog vomit from the ground.
Or maybe you’re driving around with your beloved dog in the backseat, with its head sticking out the window on a summer day.
Despite the wind blowing on its face, your dog might start feeling hot, which gradually leads to disorientation or vomiting.
If something similar has ever happened to you, then you might be wondering if it’s normal to have a dog vomiting in heat.
In this article, you will learn:
- If a Dog Overheats or Gets Heatstroke, Will It Make Them Vomit?
- Why Do Dogs Vomit from Heat?
- Four Common Reasons Dogs Get Too Hot…
- How Should You Take Care of Your Dog When It Gets Hot?
- Should Dogs Go for a Walk on a Hot Day?
- How Do You Stop Your Dog Vomiting after Heatstroke?
- What Are Other Signs That a Dog Is Suffering from Heatstroke?
- Conclusion: Can Heat Make Dogs Throw Up?
If a Dog Overheats or Gets Heatstroke, Will It Make Them Vomit?
Heatstroke can happen to dogs just like it can to people.
When temperatures rise above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs can experience exhaustion from the high temperature. This happens when they are unable to cool themselves properly or are not cooling down fast enough.
Blood flow in a dog’s body lessens as its body temperature rises, which causes constriction of blood vessels. As a result, oxygen cannot be transported through the blood vessels in an efficient manner, making some parts of the body and brain not receive enough oxygen.
Furthermore, they may start to get dehydrated. Loss of liquid can also limit the functioning of their organs.
This can lead to symptoms of heatstroke, which include vomiting, excessive panting, drooling, diarrhea, seizures, coma, and even death.
In short, yes, if a dog overheats or gets heatstroke, it can make them vomit.
Why Do Dogs Vomit from Heat?
Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises above 104°F. Dogs tend to lose water faster than humans, especially when they experience heatstroke.
The resulting dehydration is what causes their gastrointestinal tract to become upset, which leads to them either vomiting, having diarrhea, or both.
Four Common Reasons Dogs Get Too Hot…
The most common reason dogs get hot is because of not getting enough liquids in their bodies due to limited access to clean water.
If you notice your dog panting heavily and/or having dampened or matted fur, it could mean they’re dehydrated. Dehydration happens when there isn’t enough fluid in a dog’s body to keep its organs functioning properly.
Dogs naturally drink about half their weight in water each day. This amount varies depending on how active your dog is, whether he/she is exercising or just lounging around, and what his/her activity level is like during different parts of the day.
Some dog breeds are more likely to suffer from heatstroke than others. These include dogs with thick coats or long hair, very young or older dogs, and brachycephaly breeds (those with short noses and flat heads, like shih tzus, pugs, boxers, bulldogs, etc.).
Extreme activity levels can increase the chance of developing heat stroke.
Dogs that work or hunt are often at high risk because they usually run around outside for extended periods of time. Overweight dogs are also at higher risk as they are less able to cool off quickly.
Finally, humidity is one of the most overlooked factors affecting pets during hot weather. A humid environment makes it harder for animals to regulate their internal temperature, making them susceptible to overheating.
How Should You Take Care of Your Dog When It Gets Hot?
Summertime brings out the best in people and pets alike. Dogs love being outside, playing fetch, running around, swimming in lakes and ponds, and even just hanging out in the shade.
Here are some things you should think about if you’re going to be taking care of your pet on hot summer days.
1) Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water
Your dog needs plenty of fluids throughout the day. If you notice it panting heavily or looking thirsty, immediately provide water for it to drink. You will have to keep a watchful eye out to make sure its water bowl is always filled and clean.
2) Keep your dog indoors
If you think your dog is displaying symptoms of overheating or has just vomited from overheating, immediately bring it indoors where it’s cooler, such as in an air-conditioned area.
3) Cool your dog with wet towels
Dampening clothes or towels and then placing them on your dog’s back, neck, or body will help cool it down and lower its body temperature.
Alternatively, you could go to a pet store to find a cooling vest that is specially designed for dogs. These vests, however, may only be available for medium- to large-sized dogs, so you may need to look around before finding the best cooldown method for your pup.
4) Check your dog’s temperature
Taking a dog’s temperature can quickly tell you if there’s a serious problem. If it reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit, your dog needs immediate medical attention.
5) Be considerate
One key thing to take note of is to never leave your pets in a hot car, not even for a minute! Heatstroke can happen in an instant, and it could even spell death for your beloved furry friend.
Another thing to remember is that you still need to make sure your dog gets its exercise, and this should not be neglected just because it’s hot outside.
If you live in a humid climate, you’ll want to adjust how much you exercise your pet based on the weather. Dogs are naturally active animals, so even though they don’t sweat as humans do, they still need to cool down during the day.
Should Dogs Go for a Walk on a Hot Day?
The summer months are the prime walking season for many dogs. However, it is important to remember that they are not built like us. They don’t sweat the way people do, so they can actually suffer from dehydration faster.
Even though certain breeds can tolerate temperatures better, overheating is still a serious issue that can lead to serious health problems requiring quick treatment.
If you are planning to go out for a walk during the summer months, make sure it isn’t too hot outside. When your dog starts to get tired from the heat, it may start looking for places to rest.
Try to avoid having it spend too much time in one spot and, instead, find cool areas where it can lay down to cool off.
How Do You Stop Your Dog Vomiting after Heatstroke?
The first thing is to let it vomit out whatever it can. Once it has finished, try not to feed it anything yet, as this might only trigger your dog to throw up again.
To keep your dog from vomiting again, bring it to the closest veterinarian available.
Vomiting is already a sign that heatstroke and dehydration have reached a severe point, and providing intravenous fluid therapy may be required to replenish the necessary fluids and minerals that your dog needs.
From there, your furry friend’s condition should restabilize, its body start to cool down, and the vomiting subside.
The vet will also monitor your dog for secondary complications, including kidney failure, development of neurological symptoms, abnormal clotting, and changes in blood pressure and serum electrolyte levels.
What Are Other Signs That a Dog Is Suffering from Heatstroke?
Signs of heat stress, or heatstroke, include excessive breathing or troubled breathing, rapid heartbeat, high body temperature, loss of coordination, red eyes, reddened gums, and drooling.
More severe symptoms include seizures, becoming lethargic, loss of consciousness, and fainting. These signal that the dog needs urgent treatment.
In contrast to people, dogs do not sweat out excess heat. Therefore, they must rely on evaporative cooling methods to maintain normal body temperatures. These include panting, licking water off of themselves, and taking in large quantities of cold water very quickly.
If your dog is showing any one of these signs, he or she needs immediate attention. A dog experiencing heatstroke may die within minutes if left untreated.
Therefore, it is imperative that you seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke.
Conclusion: Can Heat Make Dogs Throw Up?
Yes, it is possible for dogs to throw up due to overheating.
Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises too high and there are no longer ways to lower it. Signs include excessive sweating, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, seizures, and collapse.
Heatstroke can occur within minutes of being exposed to extreme heat, so it’s important to know what to do if your dog starts showing symptoms.
It is recommended to have your dog take short breaks every hour or so while on a walk or doing exercise. They also need plenty of shade and lots of cool water.
By taking these precautions and paying attention to your dog’s condition, you can keep your furry friend safe and healthy, even on hot summer days.
Photo credits
¹ Photo by Christos Petrou on Flickr
