Heatstroke in dogs is a genuine emergency and can be fatal if not treated quickly. It can develop faster than many owners expect, especially during hot weather, exercise, car travel, or time spent in warm indoor spaces such as conservatories.
Humid weather can be especially dangerous because panting becomes less effective, meaning dogs struggle to cool themselves properly even when temperatures may not seem extreme to us.
If the temperature is over 20°C, I’m very careful with Bear. If it’s above 25°C, he’s on house arrest: no walks, just calm indoor activities, shade, water, and cooling enrichment. Missing one walk is rarely the problem. Heatstroke can be.
This guide explains the signs and symptoms of heatstroke in dogs, what to do in an emergency, which dogs are most at risk, and how to prevent overheating before it becomes dangerous.
Quick Answer: If you suspect heatstroke in your dog, stop all activity, move them to shade or a cool space, start cooling them immediately with water and airflow, offer small amounts of drinking water if they are conscious, and contact your vet urgently. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.
Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs
Heatstroke in dogs can develop very quickly. It is most common during hot weather, but it can also happen during exercise, in cars, in poorly ventilated rooms, or when a dog cannot move away from heat.
Watch for these signs:
- Excessive, heavy, or frantic panting
- Noisy breathing or difficulty breathing
- Restlessness, distress, or anxiety
- Drooling or thick saliva
- Bright red, pale, purple, or tacky gums
- Lack of response to cues or seeming “out of it”
- Rapid heartbeat
- Very warm body
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Staggering, weakness, or wobbliness
- Collapse or becoming unresponsive
- Tremors or seizures
If you are concerned your dog may have heatstroke, start cooling immediately and contact your vet straight away. Do not wait to see if they “settle”. Heatstroke is life-threatening and needs urgent treatment.
For broader prevention advice, hydration ideas, cooling products, and safe enrichment, read our full guide: How to Keep Dogs Cool in Hot Weather.
What To Do If You Suspect Heatstroke in Dogs
If you think your dog has heatstroke, time is critical. Current welfare advice is often summarised as cool first, transport second. In simple terms, start cooling your dog immediately, then seek veterinary help as quickly as possible.
Follow these steps while arranging emergency vet care:
- Move them to a cool, shaded area immediately. Get them away from direct sun, hot cars, conservatories, warm rooms, or stuffy spaces.
- Stop all exercise straight away. Do not encourage them to keep walking, playing, or training.
- Start cooling immediately. Use water to cool the body, especially the underside, paws, belly, groin, armpits, and neck.
- Use airflow. A fan, breeze, open doors, air conditioning, or moving air can help heat leave the body.
- Offer small amounts of cool water if your dog is conscious and able to swallow. Do not force water into their mouth.
- Call your vet urgently and follow their advice. Continue cooling while you arrange transport.
A damp microfibre towel can be useful for cooling paws, the belly, and the underside during travel or after a short toilet break. Use it as a short cooling aid rather than wrapping your dog up for long periods, as trapped heat is the last thing we want.
Avoid placing damp towels over your dog’s body for long periods, as this can trap heat. Do not delay cooling while trying to find the “perfect” water temperature. If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, cooling and veterinary advice are urgent.
For external veterinary welfare guidance, the RSPCA heatstroke guide explains the “cool first, transport second” approach in more detail.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk of Heatstroke?
Any dog can develop heatstroke, but some dogs are at higher risk and need extra care in hot weather.
- Flat-faced breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus
- Overweight or obese dogs, because body fat acts as insulation
- Dogs with thick or heavy coats
- Very young puppies and elderly dogs
- Dogs with heart, breathing, mobility, or other medical conditions
- Very active, excitable, or working dogs who do not slow themselves down
- Dark-coated dogs who may absorb more heat in direct sun
Working and high-drive breeds such as Labradors, Spaniels, Collies, and many working-line dogs can be particularly vulnerable because they often keep going through discomfort. Ball throwing, chasing games, intense recall practice, and fast running can all become risky in hot weather.
Hot weather can also reduce tolerance and make dogs more irritable, restless, or reactive. If your dog seems unusually snappy or unable to settle, heat may be one part of the picture. You may also find Trigger Stacking in Dogs and Ladder of Aggression in Dogs useful companion reads.
On hot days, it is always safer to skip the walk than to risk heatstroke. Your dog will not suffer from missing one walk, but heatstroke can be fatal.
Can Dogs Get Heatstroke Indoors?
Yes. Dogs can overheat indoors, especially in conservatories, upstairs rooms, poorly ventilated spaces, crates in direct sunlight, or warm cars. Indoors does not automatically mean safe.
Give your dog the choice to move to cooler areas, such as tiled floors, shaded rooms, or a safely ventilated space. A Cooling Mat can also give your dog a comfortable place to rest, as long as they can move away if they choose.
At night, keep water available and avoid shutting dogs into warm rooms or crates where they cannot move to a cooler spot. Hot nights can be especially difficult for older dogs, puppies, flat-faced breeds, and dogs with health conditions.
Preventing Heatstroke in Dogs
Prevention is always better than emergency treatment. Some simple ways to reduce the risk of heatstroke in dogs include:
- Walk early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler.
- Avoid strenuous exercise in warm or humid weather.
- Skip ball throwing, intense running, and high-arousal games in hot weather.
- Always provide shade and fresh, cool water.
- Check pavements before walking your dog.
- Never leave your dog in a parked car, even “for a few minutes”.
- Use cooling products such as mats, cooling towels, and paddling pools safely and under supervision.
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight.
- Keep grooming consistent, especially for dogs with thick or heavy coats.
- Use calm enrichment instead of high-energy activity.
Grooming can help dogs stay more comfortable in hot weather by removing loose undercoat and improving airflow through the coat. For more practical advice, read Dog Grooming Routine Tips.
If you are not sure whether your dog is carrying extra weight, see Is Your Dog the Optimum Weight?. Keeping dogs lean can reduce strain on the body and help them cope better in warm weather.
Hot-Weather Hydration and Cooling Products
Products do not replace sensible management, but they can make hot weather much easier to manage. Shade, rest, water, and avoiding intense exercise still come first.
Useful hot-weather products include:
- Cooling Mat for calm resting indoors
- Travel Water Bottle for walks and days out
- Road Refresher Non-Drip Bowl for car travel and home use
- Oralade for hydration support on warmer days
- Microfibre Towel for cooling paws and the underside
- Bone Broth for Dogs for making cooling ice cubes and frozen enrichment
- LickiMat, Toppl, or Kong Classic for frozen enrichment
- Dog Paddling Pool for supervised cooling in the garden
- Insulated Lunch Box for LickiMats for keeping enrichment cool when travelling
Frozen moisture-rich enrichment can also support fluid intake safely. Try Frozen Dog Treats for Hot Weather: Bone Broth Ice Cubes made with Bone Broth for Dogs, a frozen LickiMat, or a stuffed Toppl.
If your dog finds it hard to switch off, simple calming activities are usually safer than trying to tire them out. For ideas, see How to Calm a Hyper Dog.
Dogs in Hot Cars
Dogs should never be left unattended in a parked car in warm or hot weather, even with the windows open. Car temperatures can rise quickly, and dogs can become dangerously hot before an owner realises how serious the situation is.
If you need to travel, cool the car before your dog gets in, make sure airflow reaches your dog, carry water, and plan direct routes with minimal stops. For more support with safe travel, see Dog Car Travel Safety Guide.
When Should You Call the Vet?
Call your vet immediately if your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, including frantic panting, weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, collapse, confusion, or seizures.
You should also seek urgent advice if your dog has been trapped somewhere hot, has exercised in hot weather and is not recovering quickly, or belongs to a higher-risk group such as a flat-faced breed, older dog, overweight dog, or dog with a medical condition.
Even if your dog seems to improve after cooling, veterinary advice is still important. Heatstroke can cause internal damage, and symptoms may not always show the full picture straight away.
FAQ
What are the first signs of heatstroke in dogs?
Early signs often include heavy or frantic panting, restlessness, drooling, bright red or tacky gums, weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or seeming confused. Heatstroke can progress quickly, so act early.
What should I do if I think my dog has heatstroke?
Move your dog to shade or a cool space, stop all activity, start cooling them immediately with water and airflow, offer small amounts of drinking water if they are conscious, and contact your vet urgently. Heatstroke is an emergency.
At what temperature can dogs get heatstroke?
There is no single safe temperature because humidity, shade, direct sun, breed, health, and activity all affect risk. Problems can begin in warm weather if a dog is exercising, confined, or high risk. In hot or humid weather, avoid intense exercise and stick to short toilet breaks where needed.
Can dogs get heatstroke indoors?
Yes. Dogs can overheat indoors in conservatories, upstairs rooms, poorly ventilated spaces, crates in direct sunlight, or any area where they cannot move away from heat. Always provide water, airflow, shade, and choice.
Should I use ice-cold water for heatstroke in dogs?
Do not delay cooling while trying to find the perfect water temperature. Use water and airflow immediately, and contact your vet. Avoid wrapping your dog in wet towels for long periods because this can trap heat.
How can I prevent heatstroke in my dog?
Avoid hot-weather exercise, walk at cooler times of day, provide shade and water, avoid hot pavements, never leave dogs in parked cars, use cooling products safely, keep your dog at a healthy weight, and choose calm enrichment instead of high-energy games.
Related Articles:
