5 Signs Your Dog Is Overheating This Summer (And the $30 Fix That Actually Works)

It was a Tuesday afternoon when my neighbor Sarah called me in a panic. Her golden retriever, Biscuit, had been lying on the back porch while she worked inside — the AC on, life normal — until she stepped out to water her plants and found him panting so hard he could barely lift his head.

“I thought he’d be fine,” she told me. “It wasn’t even that hot out.”

It was 81°F. Partly cloudy. A perfectly normal summer afternoon.

Here’s the thing most dog owners don’t realize: dogs can start overheating at temperatures that feel totally comfortable to us. They don’t sweat the way we do. They rely almost entirely on panting to cool themselves down — and once that system gets overwhelmed, things can go wrong fast.

This summer, with heat indexes climbing earlier and higher than ever, knowing the warning signs of overheating could genuinely save your dog’s life. And the good news? Preventing it is easier than you think.

Why Dogs Struggle with Summer Heat

We throw on shorts and feel fine. Our dogs, meanwhile, are wearing a fur coat they can’t take off — and their only real cooling mechanism is breathing.

A dog’s normal body temperature runs between 101°F and 102.5°F. When it creeps above 103°F, they’re running a fever. Above 104°F is dangerous. Above 106°F? That’s a life-threatening emergency called heat stroke.

And here’s the part that surprises most pet parents: it doesn’t have to be blazing hot outside. Humidity, direct sun, lack of airflow, and even just a long walk on warm pavement can tip a dog over the edge — especially flat-faced breeds like bulldogs and pugs, older dogs, puppies, and overweight dogs.

5 Signs Your Dog Is Overheating

Learn these. Save them in your phone. Share them with your dog walker.

1. Excessive, Frantic Panting

All dogs pant — that’s normal. But overheating panting looks different: it’s loud, rapid, and relentless. Your dog can’t seem to slow it down no matter how long they’ve been resting. Their tongue may look wider and floppier than usual, almost like it’s swelling.

If you notice panting that seems desperate rather than just warm-weather breathing, pay attention.

2. Drooling More Than Usual

Yes, some dogs are natural drool machines (looking at you, Saint Bernards). But sudden, excessive drooling — especially thick, ropy saliva — is your dog’s body working overtime to cool down. It’s one of the earliest signs that they’re struggling.

3. Bright Red Gums or Tongue

Healthy dog gums are a nice bubble-gum pink. When a dog is overheating, blood rushes to the surface in a desperate attempt to release heat — and their gums and tongue can turn a deep, alarming red. This is a sign things are progressing and you should act immediately.

4. Lethargy and Weakness

Your normally bouncy dog suddenly can’t be bothered to lift their head? Extreme tiredness or muscle weakness in the heat is a red flag, not just laziness. If your dog seems wobbly, uncoordinated, or keeps stumbling, that’s a serious sign of heat exhaustion.

5. Vomiting or Diarrhea

This one catches people off guard. Heat stress affects the whole body, including the gut. If your dog vomits or has diarrhea during or after time in the heat, that’s their system signaling distress. Don’t wait to see if it passes — get them to a cool place and contact your vet.

What to Do If Your Dog Shows These Signs

First: don’t panic, but do act fast.

1. Move them inside or to shade immediately
2. Offer cool (not ice cold) water — let them drink slowly
3. Apply cool, damp towels to their paws, neck, and armpits
4. Point a fan at them if available
5. Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital — even if they seem to be improving

Do NOT dunk them in ice water. The rapid temperature change can actually cause shock and make things worse.

Prevention Is Everything — And It’s Easier Than You Think

The honest truth? Most summer heat emergencies are preventable. And you don’t need to keep your dog cooped up inside all season to keep them safe.

A few habits make a huge difference:

• Walk in the early morning or after sunset when pavement cools down
• Always have fresh water available, especially outdoors
• Never leave your dog in a parked car — even for two minutes
• Give them a cool place to rest — and this is where a lot of pet parents are leaving something important on the table

The Simple Tool I Recommend to Every Dog Owner

One of the most effective (and underrated) things you can do for your dog this summer is give them a dedicated cooling mat.

Not a wet towel. Not a frozen water bottle. A pressure-activated cooling mat that absorbs your dog’s body heat and releases it slowly — no water, no electricity, no refrigeration required.

When a dog flops down on a quality cooling mat, their core temperature can drop noticeably within minutes. It works the same way a cool tile floor does (you’ve seen them seek those out) — just much more effective, portable, and purpose-built.

The one I’ve been recommending is the MeiLiMiYu Arc-Chill Cooling Dog Mat — it uses a non-toxic Arc-Chill cooling fabric (Q-Max >0.4, which is the industry benchmark for real cooling effect), holds up to repeated use all summer, and comes in sizes for everything from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. It’s been a game-changer for dogs who live in warm climates, apartments without great airflow, or homes where AC is rationed.

→ Check it out on Amazon

You’re Their Whole World — Keep Them Safe

I think about Sarah and Biscuit a lot. He was fine, thankfully — she caught it early and got him cooled down in time. But it scared her, and it should have.

Your dog trusts you completely. They can’t tell you they’re too hot, they can’t open the fridge, and they can’t escape to the basement on their own. They need you to notice.

Now you know what to look for. And with a little preparation, you can make sure your pup has a summer that’s comfortable, safe, and full of the tail-wagging adventures they deserve.

Stay cool out there — both of you. 🐾

Have a question about keeping your pets safe this summer? Drop it in the comments — we read every single one.

PetFamPicks is dedicated to helping pet parents make smart, loving choices for their animals. We only recommend products we’d use for our own pets.

Want our full, printable the Everyday Dog Wellness Guide? Grab it in our Etsy shop — the same pet-parent-tested advice, all in one place.