PupkeeperCautionEmergency
Hot weather (heatstroke risk) and dogs: what to do
Caution. Hot cars, hot humid weather and hard exercise can cause heatstroke, which can quickly cause organ damage and death.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
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Hot weather (heatstroke risk) and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Caution · Emergency: get help now
- What it can do
- Heavy panting, drooling, dark red or abnormal gum color, vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes bloody and weakness or confusion. All 7
- How fast
- Can happen within minutes, such as in a hot car
- What to do now
- Move your dog into shade or a cool place right away. All steps
- Sources
- Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, VCA Animal Hospitals, RSPCA, RECOVER Guidelines. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
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.
Symptoms 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. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.