Heat stroke, also known as heat exhaustion, is a life-threatening condition (Trusted Source) that occurs when a dog’s normal cooling mechanisms (mainly panting) can’t keep its body temperature down. If a dog’s body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the symptoms of heatstroke can quickly set in. Heatstroke can permanently damage a dog’s organs and require lifelong treatment if a dog isn’t cooled down right away.
Dog owners need to be able to recognize this condition immediately to save their dog’s life — heatstroke can be fatal, and it only takes minutes for the situation to take a turn for the worse.
Dogs regulate their body temperature by breathing and panting. They don’t have sweat glands like humans do. When a dog pants, the airflow over their tongue helps them cool down. These temperature-regulating processes don’t work as well, and heat-related illnesses can set in quickly.
👉 On hot or humid days, limit your dog’s outdoor activities. In the summer, only go for walks during mornings or evenings (Trusted Source) when it’s less hot.
According to the AVMA, hundreds of dogs die (Trusted Source) yearly from heat exhaustion. Many of these incidents go unreported, so the actual number is hard to estimate. If not treated immediately, heatstroke can be fatal for dogs just the same as humans.
If you think your dog may be having a heatstroke acting first and diagnosing later is important. Treat heat exhaustion in your dog as a medical emergency. Symptoms present themselves quickly, and depending on your dog’s risk factors and temperatures, they can progress quickly, too.
🚨 Never leave your dog alone in the car. In the summertime, internal car temperatures can reach 130-172 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s also important to know that some breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke than others. Brachycephalic dogs (flat-faced dogs) are among these and are twice as likely to suffer from heat stroke. Because these pups already struggle to breathe due to the shape of their snouts, it’s harder for them to regulate their body temperature through panting. Some of the most susceptible brachycephalic breeds include:
Other dogs with thick double coats, such as Chow chows and golden retrievers, have a high risk of heat stroke. Elderly dogs over the age of 12 are also high-risk pups.
The warning signs and symptoms of heatstroke are easy to recognize. These include:
None of these signs and symptoms should be taken lightly. If it’s a hot day, heat exhaustion can set in quickly. If you notice any of these signs, act quickly to help your dog cool down.
🚨 If your dog seems severely ill and is vomiting, seizing, or losing consciousness, take them to the nearest vet immediately.
If your dog has signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you need to take the following actions:
⚠️ Don’t give them freezing water or ice cubes — cooling too quickly can be just as dangerous as heat exhaustion itself.
You can evaluate the severity of your dog’s condition using a rectal thermometer. If your dog’s body temperature is under 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, get your pup some water and keep them inside in a cool area. The normal temperature range (Trusted Source) for a dog is 99.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be very cautious and attentive if your dog’s temperature is between 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. They haven’t quite reached the point of heat stroke or hyperthermia, but they’re still in danger of serious health issues. Get them cooled down immediately.
If their temperature is above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, you should still administer first aid measures, but also immediately go to the nearest veterinary hospital to prevent lasting damage or death.
The best way to make sure this never happens to your dog is to keep them safe during warm and hot weather.
Breaking the window of a car containing a dog on a hot day certainly seems like a heroic thing to do. However, you run the risk of being liable for both the damage to the car and potentially injuring the animal.
If you see a dog in a hot car and you’re worried that they may be in danger, call 911. The dispatcher will advise you to wait for the police to arrive, or they may advise you to break the glass to save the dog.
Each case of heatstroke is different. Some dogs will take longer to recover than others, depending on the severity of their condition. Severe cases of heat stroke might take weeks to recover from, while a light case that didn’t require emergency veterinary attention might only take a few hours.
As mentioned, symptoms of severe heat stroke — vomiting, seizing, and loss of consciousness — require immediate intervention from a vet. Heatstroke complications can damage internal organs, and this damage won’t go away overnight. Your dog might need ongoing treatment, even if they didn’t need emergency treatment.
If you think your dog may have experienced heat exhaustion but recovered at home, the best thing to do is to schedule a vet appointment. They’ll be able to evaluate your pup and advise you on how to help them recover at home, and determine if ongoing treatment is needed.
