Golden Retrievers are not as sensitive to hot weather as some other large breeds of dogs but how hot is too hot for these animals? Can Golden Retrievers live in areas with a hot climate?
In general, Golden Retrievers do well with hot weather but temperatures exceeding 86°F ( 30°C) could cause dehydration and heatstroke promptly. Puppies, old animals, and dogs with chronic or acute health problems are especially vulnerable. Avoid the hottest part of the day, provide plenty of water, and leave hiking, running, and other demanding activities with your dog for days cooler than 77°F (25°C).
Keep in mind the individual characteristics and risk factors of your pet, too.
Temperature Regulation In Dogs
The average body temperature of most dogs of large breeds is between 100.5 and 102.5°F (about 38.5°C). The ideal range of ambient temperatures, when the animal does not need to spend energy to maintain the normal body temperature, is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ).
The TNZ is not the same for all breeds but it ranges between 68°F and 80-86°F (20° to 26-30°C), according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. The dog’s size, the thickness of the coat, and the shape of the nose and head are all factors that affect the range of temperatures a particular dog does well with.
Several mechanisms allow dogs to compensate for some time to keep their bodies as a baseline but that takes some energy. When the animal cannot compensate anymore, it overheats.
The Golden Retriever’s Tolerance Of High Temperatures
Healthy grown-up Goldens do well with walks and other regular activities in weather as warm as 86°F (30°C), which is typical for many breeds. Any intensive exercise on summer days warrants caution and consideration of your dog’s response to heat, as well as your pet’s level of conditioning.
Any dog’s ability to lose heat through sweating is minimal because only the paws and the nose can produce sweat. When the air is warmer than the body, the only way for your dog to cool down is to pant. That is why dogs can develop heatstroke within minutes.
Although Golden Retrievers do not have fur as thick and long as some other breeds, they are still large, double-coated, animals who are at relatively high risk for hyperthermia.
Individual Risk Factors For Hyperthermia
Some characteristics specific to individual dogs make hyperthermia and heatstroke more likely:
- Old age
- Elderly animals cannot regulate temperature very effectively and often have health problems compounding the issue. A dog of advanced age is vulnerable to both high and low temperatures.
- Very young age
- Very young animals generally have little stamina for temperature extremes and exercise in suboptimal conditions.
- General health status
- Acute and chronic health problems are major risk factors, especially if the animal has a condition affecting cardiovascular or respiratory health. Thyroid disorders are also a factor.
- Being overweight
- Many household pets are prone to excessive weight gain, which lowers their ability to tolerate heat and exercise. Of course, being overweight also increases and exacerbates any cardiovascular and respiratory concerns.
- Dehydration
- Hyperthermia and dehydration go hand-in-hand and each can speed up the cycle. A dehydrated animal typically has severely compromised stamina.
- Lack of acclimation
- If your pet is more used to living in a cold or moderate climate, it will have less tolerance to the heat than an animal living in an area with frequent hot weather. If your pet is naive to high temperatures, assume that the animal is highly vulnerable to heat.
Certain environmental conditions increase the risks for any animal:
- High air humidity makes it more challenging for any dog to regulate the temperature in the heat.
- Poor air circulation indoors has a similar effect and puts a dog at risk.
The Double Coat
Golden Retrievers have fairly thick and long double-layer fur.
The undercoat is short and thick, and its function is to insulate the dog both from cold and hot air. The upper layer is longer and thinner, and its function is to protect against UV light, moisture, and insects.
The fur is important in order to maintain a normal body temperature. That is why it is important to never shave the dog’s coat unless medically indicated. Brushing it regularly to promote the shedding of old hairs to lighten the fur during the hot season is ideal.
Dogs shed their thick undercoat in spring and summer, too. The remaining upper layer is permissive to air circulation by the skin and guards against direct sunlight.
Signs Of Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the risk factors for heatstroke. The following are the signs of dehydration in dogs:
- Dry pale nose and mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Fast heart rate
- The dog is not urinating
- Poor skin turgor, or elastisity
To check the skin turgor on a dog, use the skin on its belly. Pinch a little bit of her skin lightly. If the skin does not bounce back to its initial position quickly, the dog may be dehydrated.
Mild dehydration is usually benign and resolves quickly when the dog drinks enough water. If dehydration progresses to severe, the dog could develop cardiovascular shock or seizures.
Dehydration in dogs progresses faster than in people, and it is harder to notice in time because a dog may not manifest any signs until it is severely dehydrated. So, it is best to always treat the condition as potentially dangerous.
Signs Of Overheating
The normal body temperature of an average Golden is about 100.5-102.5°F, 38.5°C. An active dog could temporarily have a higher temperature while running or playing but the temperature normalizes when the animal gets some rest. If the body temperature is rising due to hot weather, the animal is becoming hyperthermic and needs intervention.
If a dog’s temperature exceeds 104°F (40°C), it is developing heatstroke and is at risk of deteriorating very rapidly. Severe overheating occurs when the dog’s temperature reaches 106°F (41°C).
The following changes signal an impending heatstroke in a dog:
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Heavy drooling
- Unsteady gait, weakness
- Heavy panting
- Purple or bright red gums
- Elevated body temperature, the dog feels hot to the touch
How To Treat Overheating
Overheating can be mild at its early stages but it is best to treat it as a potentially dangerous condition because it progresses so rapidly.
If you recognize that your dog overheated, there are interventions you can implement immediately:
- Move your dog to a shaded cooler area
- Put cool wet towels over the dog’s body
- Put a cool cloth on the dog’s paws and ear flaps
- Give the animal cool water, not ice or ice water. It is important to avoid sudden temperature changes because that could lead to shock
- If your pet is too weak and confused to drink water, do not force it because doing so could lead to aspiration. Instead, try to wet the animal’s tongue and mouth.
Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible if the animal is weak and unable to drink water. Heatstroke and dehydration are extremely dangerous and may warrant the administration of intravenous hydration and nutrition to save the dog’s life.
10 Tips To Keep Your Dog Cool In Hot Weather
Some practices could help you keep your Golden Retriever cool and comfortable during the summer months.
1. Brush Your Dog Regularly
Brush your pet’s coat regularly to help shed the undercoat during hot months but avoid shaving the coat. Some owners trim their dog’s fur, which could be fine as long as the fur is not trimmed excessively, but trimming is not usually necessary.
2. Provide Access To Cool Water
Make sure your dog always has access to plenty of cool clean water. Keep several bowls of water in different areas of your home to remind the animal to drink water. When your Golden joins you for a walk or a hike, bring some water for your dog, unless there is access to drinking fountains. A foldable water bottle for dogs could be a practical item, too.
3. Avoid Walking The Dog On Asphalt Trails
Walk your dog on grass or ground rather than asphalt. Asphalt trails get hot in the summer and increase the risk of overheating. In addition, the dog’s paws could get burned by the hot surface of the heated asphalt.
4. Protect The Dog’s Paws
Consider putting protective boots or paw balm on your dog’s paws as needed. Boots can be cumbersome for the animal and some dogs do not like wearing them even with practice. They are the most certain way to protect the paws from burns and other injuries but paw butter, or wax, also creates a barrier and protects the paws well. Dogs do not mind having wax on at all they are usually not even aware of it.
5. Avoid The Hottest Part Of The Day
Try to walk your pet in the morning or the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day. Choose shaded trails if possible. Woods and forests are ideal because they stay cool better than open areas.
6. Provide Rest Periods, Look For Shade
Provide rest periods in the shade when out during the day. Read your Golden’s cues: when the dog appears tired and keeps panting heavily, your pet probably needs a break.
7. Consider Water Activities
If it is an option, swimming in a lake is a fun way to cool down and exercise. Most Goldens do very well in water, as these dogs are natural swimmers and are typically fond of aquatic activities.
A doggy pool on your patio or your balcony is a decent alternative to a lake or river.
8. Purchase A Cooling Mat
If you don’t have an air conditioner indoors, consider getting a non-toxic cooling mat for your pet if your home gets too warm. Cooling mats are great for cars, too, when your pet joins you on a trip.
9. Invest In A Good Cooling Vest
If you are out and about with your dog, a cooling collar could provide some relief. A cooling vest might be a good investment if you go hiking with your dog or spend a lot of time outdoors in warm weather with your pet. It is important to measure your dog’s chest circumference and use the size chart provided by the manufacturer because your dog won’t like a vest with a flawed fit. Your pet might also benefit from wearing the vest at home for a little bit just to get used to the way it feels.
10. Read Your Dog’s Cues
And, finally, you know your pet better than anyone else and it is an asset.
Dogs often do not show signs of fatigue, dehydration, or exhaustion until they are about to collapse. Dogs may be too focused on a game or – and this is common for Golden Retrievers – they want to impress the owner. In other words, do your best to pick up on the slightest changes to pick up on the slightest early changes in your Golden’s behavior. Noticing any subtle changes could help you take the dog inside or give it a break as needed.
