If you have dogs in your house, it is important to ensure that you are keeping the temperature at a good enough level without letting it get too hot or too cold. Due to the coats that dogs have, they are likely to feel hotter as compared to humans, resulting in overheating.
Thus, if you live in a hot climate or have a heater on at home, remember to regulate it well enough to make your dog feel comfortable.
What Temperature Is Too Hot for a Dog in a House?
Any temperature that happens to exceed 80℉ or 27℃ is considered to be too hot for dogs. Thus, as long as the temperature falls below this limit, there is unlikely to be any kind of risk involved for your dog.
Keeping this temperature below this rate can also make you feel more comfortable and relaxed inside your house. Additionally, if the temperature happens to exceed this limit, it might end up posing a risk to your dog’s health and regular functioning.
Very high temperatures might also result in fatal conditions, such as strokes.
You might think that your dogs can sweat out the excess heat and keep their bodies cool, but their bodies work a bit differently since they do not exactly sweat as humans do, which is why higher temperatures in your house can pose a greater risk for dogs.
Of course, it is difficult to say that any temperature beyond 80℉ will prove to be harmful to your dogs, especially since there are many factors involved here.
Nevertheless, this figure is a good enough limit to rely on in addition to how your dog reacts and behaves.
Ideal Temperatures for Dogs in a House
Ideally, you should maintain temperatures that fall between 72℉ and 78℉ in your house. This can ensure enough comfort for your dogs without resulting in overheating on their part.
If it is too cold outside, try not to exceed this limit if you have a dog. If it is slightly hotter outdoors, you can make use of a cooler or air conditioner or simply set the thermostat at a lower temperature.
However, despite these general temperature rates, you should still account for the kind of dog you have to ensure that you are taking care of their specific needs too.
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Coat
Dogs with double coats are likely to feel way hotter as compared to dogs with single coats. The length of the coat can also make a difference here, with shorter coats less likely to induce overheating as compared to longer ones.
Weight/Size
If your dogs are bigger in size, this means that they might feel much hotter as compared to leaner and smaller dogs. This is because they cover a larger surface area and might find it difficult to regulate body heat.
Health Issues
If there are any underlying health issues that your dogs are struggling with, high temperatures can end up increasing their level of discomfort. Speak to the vet to ensure what the right indoor temperature is for them.
Age
Both puppies and elderly dogs might be less likely to tolerate too much heat, so make sure you keep the temperature slightly cooler in this case (but not too cold).
Humidity
If the level of humidity in the atmosphere is high, even if the temperature is normal enough, this might make your dog feel hotter than usual.
Breed
Some breeds are made for the cold, while others are better suited for warm climates. Account for this while setting the indoor temperature.
Also Read: Can Dogs Get In Hot Tubs?
How to Tell If Your Dog Is Uncomfortable
Here are some ways in which you can tell if your dog is uncomfortable or uneasy due to the high temperatures in your house.
- Unusual or extreme levels of panting might indicate that your dog is trying to release as much heat and moisture as possible. Difficulty breathing during this process should also serve as a warning sign.
- If your dogs are drooling way too much or releasing too much saliva, this can indicate that they are not feeling too good in the heat.
- See if you can check your dog’s heart rate. If this is too rapid, you should cool them down to ensure their safety.
- Dehydration can indicate discomfort too due to the loss of water through panting.
- Your dogs might have red patches on their skin or fur as well as inside their mouths.
- Your dogs might feel fatigued, tired or even dizzy if the temperatures are too high.
- Changes in their stools or excreta can indicate the adverse impact of heat too.
Keeping Your Dog Cool Indoors
Apart from keeping the temperature cooler indoors, there are some other steps you can take to ensure that your dog remains cool enough. These, as described below, can minimize the risk of exhaustion, overheating and dehydration.
- Open up the window for some ventilation and cooling or turn on a cooler or air conditioner.
- Make sure you keep your dog well hydrated.
- Use some damp and cool towels to bring some temporary relief to your dog.
- Use cooling pads or vests that can take in the heat and excess moisture.
- Control the levels of humidity in your house as this can end up making your dog feel hotter.
- If it is too hot, try avoiding giving too much exercise to your dog.
- Keep your dog in shaded areas as much as possible.
- Maintain a proper diet and offer healthy foods and delicious treats to cool them down a bit. Some foods might work better here, such as yogurt and cold or frozen treats.
- Keep your dog clean at all times.
Also Read: When Can Puppies Go In The Backyard?
Final Thoughts
Temperatures that go beyond 80℉ are considered to be too hot for your dogs in the house. Try to keep the temperatures below this point to keep your dog from overheating and ensure that you make further alterations based on your dog’s requirements.
You should also look out for signs of unease in your dog and take measures to make them more comfortable.
