Heatstroke in Dogs: Signs and First Aid

Quick answer

Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. The dog's body temperature climbs so high that its organs start to fail. Watch for heavy panting, drooling, bright red or pale gums, weakness, vomiting and collapse. Get the dog somewhere cool, pour cool (not ice-cold) water over its body, put a fan on it, and get to a vet as fast as you can, cooling it on the way.

Why dogs overheat

Dogs cool down mostly by panting, with a little help from their paw pads. They can't sweat all over the way people do. Hot or humid air makes panting less effective, and if the dog keeps generating heat through exercise, excitement or a hot environment, its temperature can shoot up.

Normal temperature for a dog is roughly 38–39.2°C (100.5–102.5°F). Above about 41°C (106°F), cells and organs get damaged and blood clotting can go wrong. The longer the temperature stays up, the worse the damage, so speed of cooling makes all the difference.

Common causes

• Exercise in warm weather, including play and running beside a bike, even on days that don't feel especially hot to people
• Being left in a car, even briefly or with windows slightly open
• Hot rooms or yards without shade or water, or during power cuts when fans and air conditioning stop
• High humidity, which makes panting less effective
• Stress or excitement in warm conditions, for example while travelling or at events
• A muzzle that stops the dog panting

Dogs at higher risk

Signs of heatstroke

Early warning signs:

• Heavy, noisy panting that doesn't settle with rest
• Excessive drooling, thick saliva
• Restlessness, seeking shade or cool floors
• Bright red gums and tongue
• Lagging behind on walks or lying down repeatedly

Severe signs (act immediately):

• Weakness, stumbling, confusion
• Vomiting or diarrhoea, possibly with blood
• Pale, grey or blue-tinged gums
• Collapse, seizures or unresponsiveness
• Small red or purple spots on the gums or skin (a sign of clotting problems)

First aid: what to do right now

Cool first, then transport, and keep cooling on the way if you can.

1. Stop all activity and get your dog into shade, an air-conditioned room or the coolest spot you have.
2. Call a vet or emergency clinic, or get someone else to call, so they can be ready for you.
3. Pour cool water over your dog. Tap water, a hose, a shower or bottled water all work. Concentrate on the neck, belly, armpits and groin, and wet the whole body if you can. A conscious dog can also be stood or lain in a bath or pool of cool water, with its head kept well above the water. Don't delay cooling to look for ice.
4. Get the air moving with a fan, an air conditioner or open car windows. Moving air helps the water evaporate and take the heat with it.
5. Keep the water moving and don't cover the dog. A wet towel draped over a dog and left there can trap heat. If you use towels, keep re-soaking and swapping them, or just keep pouring water.
6. Offer small amounts of cool water to drink if your dog is alert and can swallow. Never force water into the mouth of a weak or unconscious dog.
7. Head for the vet as soon as you can, with the air conditioning on or the windows open.

If you have a rectal thermometer and can use it safely, vets often advise stopping active cooling at around 39.5°C (103°F) so the temperature doesn't overshoot and drop dangerously low. If you can't measure it, keep cooling and get to the vet.

When to see a vet

Always. Any dog that has shown signs of heatstroke needs to see a vet the same day, even if it seems to bounce back quickly. Damage to the kidneys, gut, brain and blood clotting may not show straight away.

At the clinic the vet will carry on cooling in a controlled way, give intravenous fluids, run blood tests and watch for complications. Some dogs need several days in hospital. Follow the vet's treatment and dosing instructions and go back for any rechecks.

Prevention

• Walk at the coolest times: early morning and late evening in hot weather.
• Test the pavement by holding the back of your hand on it for several seconds. Too hot for you means too hot for paws.
• Cut exercise back on warm or humid days. Swap running for sniffing games in the shade.
• Always provide shade and fresh water, walks included.
• Never leave a dog in a parked car in warm weather.
• Keep your dog at a healthy weight.
• Groom regularly to get dead undercoat out. Don't shave a double-coated breed right down without professional advice, as the coat also shields it from the sun.
• Use cooling aids: cool tiled floors, cooling mats, shallow paddling pools and fans.
• Plan for power cuts: a cool room, battery or rechargeable fans, and water on hand.

In Pakistan

Summer temperatures across much of Pakistan regularly go well above 40°C (104°F), and humid coastal cities like Karachi make it harder still. Heatstroke is a real risk for pet dogs here, German Shepherds, Huskies, Bulldogs and other thick-coated or flat-faced breeds most of all. Long power cuts can leave dogs without fans through the hottest hours. Walk only at dawn and late evening, keep dogs indoors in the coolest room during the day, and never leave a dog tied up in direct sun or on a roof. Our German Shepherd care guide has breed-specific summer tips, and the dog care basics guide covers everyday care.