Heat Rash in Dogs: Signs, Treatment, Prevention

When summer comes knocking, it’s an exciting time for your furry baby as they can finally be up and about, prancing in the grass, running without a care in the world, and soaking up the sun. All the things doggos love the most. However, if overdone, it can heighten the risk of heat rash in dogs. 

Heat rash can be extremely uncomfortable for your pooch, leading to excessive licking, which can, in turn, expose the skin. If left untreated, these heat bumps on dogs can spread, heightening their discomfort. That’s why it’s important to know how to spot, treat, and prevent this skin condition so you can keep your four-legged baby happy and healthy in those much-awaited summer months. 

Why Dogs Get Heat Rashes

Heat rash, also known as miliary dermatitis, is a skin condition caused by prolonged or excessive exposure to direct sunlight or heat. Heat rash in dogs can be caused by: 

• Sunbathing for too long
• Overheating 
• Lack of hydration 
• Long walks in the sun 
• Strenuous exercise/overexertion in hot weather conditions 
• Hot, humid weather 
• Obesity or unhealthy body weight

Dogs with too many skin folds or thick coats and brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds are more prone to getting a heat rash. However, dogs of all breeds and ages can develop heat bumps and rashes.  

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Heat Rash Dogs Symptoms

A heat rash presents as red, raised bumps, boils, small pimples or pustules typically appearing in areas with less hair and sensitive, soft skin. You may most commonly notice dog heat rash on the belly, groin, armpits, and the folds of the skin. The most common heat rash symptoms in dogs are: 

• Itchy and sore skin 
• Redness
• Tender skin 
• Scabs 
• Foul smell 
• Persisting licking and scratching
• Bleeding 

Since the heat rash in dogs symptoms several other kinds of skin irritation and allergies, it can be tricky to identify. However, if left untreated, the rash can spread to other parts of the body, causing your pet increased discomfort. That’s why, I’d strongly recommend a visit to the vet if you spot any of the symptoms mentioned above for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

How to Treat Heat Rash in Dogs

Noticing heat bumps on dogs, and watching them in discomfort, scratching, and licking, can make you want to address the issue immediately. However, while there can be several effective home remedies for heat rash on dogs, trying them without a vet’s approval can do more harm than good. 

So, if your dog seems to have developed a rash or skin irritation of some sort after being out in the sun or during the hot and humid season, the first order of business should be to book an appointment with your vet. 

The vet will perform a physical exam to assess the nature of the rash and ask you questions about your pet’s exposure to heat. If it is, in fact, a heat rash, it is also important for the vet to determine what kind. There are typically two types of heat rash in dogs: 

• Acute miliary dermatitis — A sudden flare-up brought on by exposure to heat 
• Chronic miliary dermatitis — Repeated flare-ups that make heat rash a chronic issue your pet struggles with

After the physical exam, depending on the severity of the flare-up, your vet may take a smear sample from the affected areas for further investigation. A course of treatment will be prescribed based on the diagnosis the vet makes after performing a thorough check-up. 

Even if the symptoms of heat rash appear minor, you must schedule a visit to the vet because this condition can escalate quickly, leading to: 

• Foul-smelling boils 
• Oozing 
• Bald spots 
• Affected areas being infected with the Staphylococcus pathogen

Dog heat rash treatment

Once a diagnosis has been made, you need to focus on how to treat heat rash in dogs. Fortunately, there are a lot of effective home remedies for heat rash on dogs you can try in consultation with your vet, along with any topical medications and oral antibiotics that may have been prescribed. Here are a few things that can help in dog heat rash treatment: 

• Aloe vera: The pulp of aloe vera plant or packaged aloe vera gel can be beneficial in soothing irritated skin
• Coconut oil: Applying virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil in small quantities over the affected areas can also soothe the skin, reduce itching and skin irritation 
• Oatmeal bath: Colloidal oatmeal baths can wash away allergens and reduce inflammation 
• Hydrocortisone cream: Your vet may prescribe this cream to reduce inflammation and redness 

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Ways to Prevent Rash and Heat Bumps on Dogs

As the adage goes, prevention is better than cure. So, when hot days roll around, all pet parents need to become extra vigilant about their pooch’s health and not let those puppy eyes coax you into more time in the sun or hot environs than is good for your furry baby. 

This is crucial for two reasons: a dog’s normal body temperature is in the range of 100-103 degrees Fahrenheit. This means their bodies are far more prone to overheating than us. And second, dogs do not have sweat glands that can help them regulate their body temperatures through excessive sweating. Add to that their fur coats and hot temperatures can quickly get unbearable for a dog. 

To prevent heat-related health issues — heat rash in dogs for instance — your best bet is to limit their exposure to heat and direct sunlight and offer them a comfortable, cool place to rest. Here are some ways to prevent rash and heat bumps on dogs that can come in handy: 

• Limit exposure: Avoid taking your dog out during the hottest times of the day, which is typically between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. As far as possible, restrict long walks and exercise to the early hours of the morning when the weather is cooler 
• Avoid contact with hot surfaces: Surfaces like pavements, concrete roads, and wooden decks can get hot pretty quickly and the temperatures of these surfaces can be higher than the ambient temperatures, so any contact can put your dog at increased risk of adverse effects of heat 
• Keep your dog cool: Spraying your dog with some water or a full-blown cool-down session with a hose can prevent overheating on hot, humid days. If your dog likes to spend time outdoors, it can be a good idea to set up a dog pool in the yard for them to splash about and cool down in 
• Cool, comfortable place to rest in: Whether your dog is a homebody or an outdoors personality, you must ensure that they have a cool, comfortable place to rest during the hot days 
• Avoid strenuous exercise: It’s a good idea to dial back on your dog’s physical activity during peak summer
• Keep your dog hydrated: Make sure your dog has access to clean drinking water throughout the day, especially after they’ve spent time outdoors. You may need to replenish their water bowl more often during the hot, humid weather
• Be vigilant: Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion like fatigue, lethargy, and excessive panting. If you do notice these signs, follow the aforementioned steps to help your dog cool down 
• Physically examine your dog: Make it a habit to physically check your dog for any rash, bumps, and boils during the hot weather. 

Heat rash in dogs is a common health issue. The best way to get ahead of it is by staying vigilant. However, despite your best efforts, a rash may break out. If that happens, don’t panic or worry. Although your dog may be in great distress, the condition is easily treatable. Just make sure you get your furry baby proper medical attention as soon as possible.