Which Dogs Are at Higher Risk when it's warmer?
If you want to know whether your dog may already be at risk from heat, try our Heat Risk Calculator.
Many dog owners underestimate how strongly heat affects dogs. While humans cool themselves by sweating through the skin, dogs have only very limited cooling abilities. Their primary cooling mechanism is panting, which places additional strain on the respiratory and cardiovascular system. This means that dogs can overheat much faster than people expect — even at temperatures that still feel comfortable to humans.
Heat-related stress can already begin at around 20°C / 68°F, especially during physical activity, direct sunlight, high humidity or poor ventilation. A dog’s coat can rapidly absorb heat, and in direct sunlight the surface temperature of the fur may rise dramatically. Inside cars, crates or enclosed outdoor spaces, temperatures can become dangerous within minutes.
Certain dogs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness and overheating:
- Brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed dogs such as Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs)
- Senior dogs
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with heart or respiratory conditions
- Highly active and working dogs
- Dogs with thick or dark coats
- Young puppies and sensitive dogs
Short-nosed breeds are particularly at risk because their restricted airways make panting less effective.
Older dogs and dogs with medical conditions may struggle to regulate body temperature efficiently, while overweight dogs often experience greater cardiovascular strain during warm conditions.
Working dogs and highly active dogs are also frequently overlooked. Running, training, hiking or working outdoors increases body temperature significantly, even when the outside temperature seems moderate. Combined with warm surfaces such as asphalt, limited shade or poor airflow, this can quickly lead to dangerous overheating.
Because dogs rely almost entirely on panting to cool down, their breathing rate may rise to over 300 breaths per minute during heat stress. This creates major physical strain and can rapidly become life-threatening if cooling and hydration are not provided quickly enough.
Understanding these risks is essential to helping dogs stay safe, comfortable and protected during warmer conditions.
Try our PCM Products to provide cooling in any climate
Discover our PCM vest, for constant cooling in any climate. Even with heavy Humid climate, this vest gives a constant cooling at a fixed temperature for a refreshing effect that helps to protect your dog from heat.
Try our cooling Mat for long lasting cooling on the go
Discover the canicool cooling mat. The DRY technology provides the longest-lasting cooling performance of all our products, making the mat ideal for additional cooling support whenever your dog needs it. It activates quickly and stays completely dry to help avoid issues related to wet fur.
Link to our DRY Mat
Some of our Sources
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Pathophysiology of Heatstroke in Dogs (NIH / PubMed Central)
Detailed scientific review about canine heatstroke, thermoregulation and the physiological consequences of overheating. -
Heat Stress in Domestic Dogs: Morphological and Environmental Risk Factors
Recent scientific review discussing brachycephalic breeds, obesity, working dogs, climate effects and canine heat stress in modern environments.
