PupkeeperCautionEmergency
Heatstroke and dogs: what to do
Emergency. Heatstroke can quickly cause organ damage and death, especially in hot cars, hot humid weather or after hard exercise.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand
What to do now
- Move your dog into shade or a cool place right away.
- Cool your dog before you drive: run the coldest tap or hose water you have over its body, especially the belly, so it soaks to the skin. Keep water away from the face.
- Keep air moving over your dog with a fan, open windows or the car's air conditioning.
- Cool for about 15 minutes, or until a rectal thermometer reads about 104°F (40°C), then stop. If your dog breathes noisily (snoring or rasping), keep cooling until the panting clearly eases or it reaches 101.5°F (38.6°C).
- Pat your dog dry and go to an emergency vet now, calling ahead so they are ready.
Don't
- Don't delay cooling to look for cool water. The coldest running water you have is fine.
- Don't drape wet towels over your dog; they can trap heat.
- Don't leave a dog in a parked car.
Signs to watch for
- Heavy panting
- Drooling
- Dark red or abnormal gum color
- Vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Weakness or confusion
- Seizures
- Collapse
When signs appear: Can happen within minutes, such as in a hot car
Why
Dogs cool down mainly by panting, which may not be enough in heat and humidity. Flat-faced breeds and older, overweight or thick-coated dogs are at higher risk.
Sources
- Cornell Riney Canine Health Center: Heatstroke
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Heat Stroke in Dogs
- RSPCA: Heatstroke in Dogs
- RECOVER Guidelines: First Aid for Dogs and Cats, Clinical Guidelines (J Vet Emerg Crit Care, 2026)
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.