Dog symptom

Overheating / heatstroke in dogs

Emergency — get veterinary help right now

Heatstroke happens when the body gets dangerously hot and cannot cool itself. It can damage organs quickly, so start cooling and seek emergency veterinary care right away.

Common causes of overheating / heatstroke in dogs

  • Being in a hot car, warm room, carrier, or outdoor area without enough shade or airflow
  • Exercise or play in hot or humid weather
  • Short-nosed breeds, older pets, overweight pets, and pets with heart or breathing disease are at higher risk
  • Seizures or severe stress that raises body temperature

Who's most at risk

  • Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds
  • Overweight, old, or very young pets
  • Hot/humid weather, exercise, or a parked car
  • Thick-coated breeds

What you can do at home

  • Move your pet to shade or air conditioning immediately
  • Begin cooling with cool or tepid water and moving air while arranging emergency care
  • Offer small amounts of water only if your pet is alert and able to swallow
  • Do not use ice-cold water, do not force water, and do not delay veterinary care once cooling has started

When to see a vet

  • Heavy panting, noisy breathing, drooling, weakness, wobbling, collapse, or seizures
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, or gums that look bright red, pale, blue, grey, or purple
  • Your pet was trapped in heat, exercised in heat, or has a temperature above 104 F if you can safely check
  • Signs do not improve quickly after moving to a cooler place

When it's more serious

  • Severe heatstroke — cool with cool (not ice-cold) water and go to a vet now.
  • Move to shade/AC, offer water, wet them with cool water, and head to a vet.
  • Flat-faced pets overheat fast and decline quickly — treat any overheating as urgent.

What your vet may do

  • Begin active cooling and give IV fluids
  • Oxygen and monitoring for organ damage
  • Bloodwork to check clotting, kidneys, and electrolytes
  • Hospitalize — complications can appear hours later

Questions to ask your vet

  • How do I cool my pet safely on the way in?
  • What organ damage are we watching for?
  • How long do they need monitoring?
  • How do I prevent it in future?

Frequently asked questions

What causes overheating / heatstroke in dogs?

Heatstroke happens when the body gets dangerously hot and cannot cool itself. It can damage organs quickly, so start cooling and seek emergency veterinary care right away. Common causes include: Being in a hot car, warm room, carrier, or outdoor area without enough shade or airflow; Exercise or play in hot or humid weather; Short-nosed breeds, older pets, overweight pets, and pets with heart or breathing disease are at higher risk; Seizures or severe stress that raises body temperature.

Is overheating / heatstroke in dogs an emergency?

Emergency — get veterinary help right now. See a vet right away if: Heavy panting, noisy breathing, drooling, weakness, wobbling, collapse, or seizures; Vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, or gums that look bright red, pale, blue, grey, or purple; Your pet was trapped in heat, exercised in heat, or has a temperature above 104 F if you can safely check; Signs do not improve quickly after moving to a cooler place.

What can I do at home for a dog with overheating / heatstroke?

Move your pet to shade or air conditioning immediately Begin cooling with cool or tepid water and moving air while arranging emergency care Offer small amounts of water only if your pet is alert and able to swallow Do not use ice-cold water, do not force water, and do not delay veterinary care once cooling has started

Sources

Reviewed by the Webvet Veterinarian Team

This guide is general information, not a diagnosis, and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. If your pet is in distress, contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away.

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