Heat, Humidity, and Behavior Change

You might have noticed your dog's behavior change with the weather. That's not a coincidence!

Many dogs exhibit behavioral changes along with the seasons. And there are a lot of reasons for that.

For example, think about what happens in Spring, depending on where you live:

• Environmental allergens

• Increased activity in the neighborhood, later into the evening

• Open windows letting in more sound

• Increased storm activity

• Bugs and other insects (triggering for some dogs)

• Wildlife everywhere

• Changes in sunrise and sunset lead to changes in sleep quality and quantity

These types of changes can lead to increased baseline stress levels due to trigger stacking, lower resilience to stress, changes in available enrichment opportunities, disruptions to routine and predictability, or even changes in how they feel in their bodies.

And that last one is something we don't talk about enough.

Specifically, how do increasing heat and humidity impact how our dogs feel in their bodies?

You might notice your dog slows down in the heat. Perhaps they become more or less reactive to their triggers.

Perhaps you notice your dog seems intolerant to the heat. Maybe they've always been that way - maybe it seems to be shifting with each summer you spend together.

Here are some things you should know:

• Some medications, including some behavior medications, can decrease heat tolerance or affect thermoregulation

• Heat and humidity can worsen inflammation-related symptoms and increase neurological or musculoskeletal pain

• Dogs with physical health concerns or conformational traits that impact breathing or thermoregulation may struggle more in higher heat and humidity, which can increase stress

• Your dog may struggle more with the heat as they age, particularly if they develop mobility, respiratory, cardiovascular, or other health concerns

So if you're noticing changes in your dog's behavior, that's good data. But remember - just because something is more or less convenient for us, doesn't mean it's good or bad.

For example, if my dog usually pulls on leash and suddenly they're walking at my side, that might FEEL really good to me. But if that behavior shift is because the heat makes the impact of their arthritis more significant, that's not a good thing.

Meaningful behavior changes are worth paying attention to and investigating. Question the WHY before deciding whether a change is positive or negative, or whether it indicates your dog needs more support.

If your dog struggles with the heat and humidity, it's important to find out why, so we can appropriately support them.

Generally speaking, here are a few ideas to consider:

• Ensure water is always available to them (bring it along on walks!),

• Consider cooling beds, collars, or coats.

• Modify mental, social, physical, and sensory enrichment to accommodate their needs

• Adjust your management as needed for the season

• Talk to your vet if you suspect heat and humidity are impacting how they feel in their bodies

Stay cool, and have a great summer!