5 Signs Your Dog Is Overheating (And How to Cool Them Down Immediately)

Dogs love the summer sun—but it doesn’t always love them back. While playtime by the pool or lake can be a highlight of your dog’s day, high temperatures can quickly become dangerous if you don’t recognize the early signs of overheating.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to spot the signs of overheating in dogs, what to do if it happens, and how tools like shade, hydration, and the Lazy Dog Lounger® can help prevent heat-related emergencies.

1. Excessive Panting

Panting is normal for dogs, but excessive, rapid, or strained panting—especially when not accompanied by exercise—is an early warning sign of heat exhaustion.

Watch for:

• Tongue hanging out unusually far

• Gasping or wheezing sounds

• Panting while resting

What to do: Move your dog to a shaded or cool area immediately and offer water. Lay them on a cooling float like the Lazy Dog Lounger® to lower body temperature gradually.

2. Bright Red or Pale Gums

Check your dog’s gums—they can be an indicator of internal distress. Bright red gums suggest overheating, while pale or white gums could point to more serious issues like shock or poor circulation.

What to do:

• Offer water

• Dab cool (not ice cold) water on their paw pads, chest, and belly

• Call your vet if color doesn’t normalize within minutes

3. Lethargy or Disorientation

If your pup suddenly becomes sluggish, uncoordinated, or confused, this may be a sign that their body is struggling to regulate temperature.

How to cool them down:

• Get them out of the sun

• Lay them on a dog cooling float in the shade (Lazy Dog Lounger® is ideal)

• Avoid forcing movement—let them rest and recover

4. Vomiting or Diarrhea

Heat exhaustion can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. These are serious indicators of overheating.

If this happens:

• Cool your dog immediately

• Avoid food or treats

• Call your vet or an emergency pet clinic right away

5. Collapse or Seizures

This is a medical emergency. If your dog collapses, trembles, or seizes, it may be suffering from severe heatstroke.

Immediate actions:

• Move to shade

• Begin cooling with water on paws and belly

• Transport to a veterinary clinic urgently

Prevention: How to Keep Dogs Cool and Safe

The best way to treat overheating is to prevent it in the first place. Dogs rely on us to manage their environment, especially during summer.

Top cooling strategies:

• Provide fresh water at all times

• Use shade tents or umbrellas

• Limit outdoor play to mornings or evenings

• Let your dog rest in water using a floating bed like the Lazy Dog Lounger®, which cools their body without requiring them to swim

• Watch high-risk breeds (brachycephalic/snub-nosed, seniors, overweight dogs) extra closely

Final Thoughts

Your dog can’t tell you when they’re too hot—but their body will. By knowing the signs and acting fast, you can prevent serious outcomes and keep summer safe.

Add tools like the Lazy Dog Lounger® to your pet gear list this season to give your pup a relaxing, cooling retreat during every outdoor adventure.

📍 Shop now at www.lazydogloungers.com and protect your pup from the heat.