Pet Emergencies: Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Heatstroke in Dogs: Signs, Prevention & What to Do

Why Do Dogs Get Heatstroke?

Dogs don't cool themselves the same way humans do. They primarily regulate their body temperature through panting, with only a limited ability to sweat through their paw pads.

Heatstroke occurs when a dog's body temperature rises to a dangerous level and they can no longer cool themselves effectively.

Heatstroke can happen simply from being outside on a hot day, but it can also occur in situations such as:

Being left in a hot car
Exercising or playing vigorously in hot weather
Running or hiking on hot days
Being outside without access to shade or water
Spending time in hot, poorly ventilated areas
Being exposed to high humidity

A dog does not have to be left in a car to develop heatstroke.

Which Dogs Are at Higher Risk?

Any dog can develop heatstroke, but some dogs are particularly vulnerable.

Higher-risk dogs include:

Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers
Overweight dogs
Very young or elderly dogs
Dogs with heart or respiratory disease
Dogs with other underlying medical conditions
Dogs with heavy or thick coats
Dogs that aren't acclimated to hot weather

Short-nosed dogs are at particularly high risk because their airway anatomy makes it more difficult to cool themselves through panting.

Early Signs of Heatstroke

Early recognition is extremely important. Signs that your dog may be becoming dangerously overheated include:

Excessive or frantic panting
Excessive drooling
Bright red or unusually dark gums
Restlessness or inability to settle
Seeking shade or trying to lie down
Weakness
Reluctance to walk or exercise
Vomiting or diarrhea

If your dog is showing these signs on a hot day, stop activity immediately and begin cooling them while contacting your veterinarian.

Advanced Signs of Heatstroke

As heatstroke progresses, dogs may develop much more serious symptoms, including:

Severe weakness
Stumbling or difficulty walking
Confusion or disorientation
Collapse
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Bloody diarrhea
Abnormal bleeding
Coma

These are signs of a life-threatening emergency.

Heatstroke can cause severe internal organ damage even after the dog's body temperature has been brought back down. Dogs that appear to recover may still require veterinary monitoring and treatment.

What Should I Do If My Dog Has Heatstroke?

If you suspect heatstroke, begin cooling your dog immediately while arranging veterinary care.

Move your dog out of the heat and into a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area.

Use cool or room-temperature water to wet your dog's body and increase airflow with a fan or air conditioning.

Offer small amounts of water if your dog is alert and able to drink, but do not force water into their mouth.

Avoid using ice or extremely cold water. Rapidly chilling an overheated dog can cause blood vessels to constrict and may interfere with effective cooling.

Most importantly, contact a veterinarian immediately. Even if your dog seems better after cooling, heatstroke can cause delayed complications affecting the kidneys, liver, blood clotting system, gastrointestinal tract, and brain.

How Can I Prevent Heatstroke?

A few simple precautions can significantly reduce your dog's risk:

Walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day.
Avoid strenuous exercise during hot weather.
Provide plenty of fresh, cool water.
Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside.
Use air conditioning or fans when temperatures are high.
Avoid hot pavement that can burn your dog's paw pads.
Never leave your dog unattended in a parked vehicle.
Give dogs time to acclimate gradually to warmer temperatures.
Pay extra attention to brachycephalic, overweight, elderly, and medically compromised dogs.

Remember that humidity matters, too. Dogs rely on panting to release heat, and high humidity makes this cooling mechanism less effective.

Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car

One of the most important ways to prevent heatstroke is simple: never leave your dog unattended in a parked car.

Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. Parking in the shade or leaving the air conditioning off for “just a few minutes” isn't a safe alternative.

If you need to run errands, leave your dog safely at home where they can stay cool.

About Walking on Hot Pavement

If the pavement is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.

Try placing the back of your hand against the pavement for several seconds. If it's uncomfortable for you, choose a different walking surface or wait until the temperature has dropped.

Hot pavement can cause painful burns to the paw pads in addition to increasing the risk of overheating.