Heatstroke in Dogs: Signs, First Aid & Hot-Car Danger

What are the signs of heatstroke?

Early: excessive panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red gums. Worsening: vomiting or diarrhoea, lethargy, stumbling, confusion, then collapse, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke can become fatal quickly, so treat any suspicion as an emergency.

Emergency first aid (do this on the way to the vet)

Move the dog to shade or a cool room, pour or spray cool water over it (cool tap water — not ice-cold, which can cause shock), increase airflow with a fan or breeze, and offer small amounts of cool water to drink. Then get to a vet straight away, even if the dog seems to improve — internal damage can be delayed.

Which dogs are most at risk?

Flat-faced breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs), overweight dogs, thick-coated breeds, puppies, seniors, and dogs with heart or breathing problems. Most heatstroke happens not in cars but during exercise in warm weather — walk dogs in the early morning or late evening on hot days, and use the “if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws” pavement test.

The hot-car warning

On a warm day a parked car becomes lethally hot within minutes, even in shade with windows cracked. Never leave a dog in a car. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, in the UK call 999.

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