Heat stroke in dogs is a true emergency, and it can turn deadly in minutes. The short version: if your dog is panting frantically, drooling heavily, struggling to stand or has collapsed on a warm day, you need to start cooling them immediately and phone your vet at the same time. Heat stroke happens when a dog's body temperature climbs faster than they can shed it, and it can cause organ damage, seizures and death if it is not treated fast.
This is the emergency guide. If you are here because something is wrong right now, skip straight to the cooling steps below and ring your vet as you go. If you are reading ahead of a hot spell to keep your dog safe, the prevention section further down is the part to bookmark.
Emergency warning signs
Dogs cannot sweat the way we do. They cool themselves mainly by panting, and once that is not enough their temperature spikes quickly. Call your vet and start cooling if you see:
- Heavy, frantic panting that will not slow down
- Thick, ropey drool or foaming at the mouth
- Bright red, dark or purple gums and tongue
- Wobbliness, stumbling or weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes with blood
- Glazed eyes, confusion or unresponsiveness
- Collapse, seizures or loss of consciousness
Heat stroke can worsen even after you have started cooling, so this always needs a vet, even if your dog seems to perk up.
Act fast: how to cool your dog
The single most important thing is to bring their temperature down quickly while getting to the vet. According to Vets Now and the PDSA, the current advice is to cool first and cool fast:
- Move your dog to shade or a cool room straight away, ideally with a breeze or a fan moving air over them.
- Pour or hose cool (not ice-cold) water over their whole body, keeping it flowing rather than letting it sit and warm up. Focus on the belly, armpits, groin and paws.
- Offer small amounts of cool water to drink if they are conscious and able to, but never force it.
- Keep air moving with a fan or open windows while you cool them.
- Phone your vet immediately and head straight there, cooling continues in the car with the windows open or air-con on.
Worth knowing: Older advice said to avoid cold water for fear of shock, but current veterinary guidance is clear that cooling quickly saves lives. Cool water poured continuously over the whole body is now recommended. Do not waste time, and do not cover your dog in wet towels that trap heat.
Breeds and dogs most at risk
Any dog can suffer heat stroke, but some are far more vulnerable and need extra care:
- Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, Bulldogs and Boxers, whose narrow airways make cooling by panting much harder. Bulldogs are many times more likely to develop heat stroke than a Labrador.
- Thick, double-coated breeds like Huskies, German Shepherds and Chow Chows, who carry a lot of insulation.
- Overweight dogs, older dogs and young puppies
- Dogs with heart or breathing conditions
A well-managed coat helps heavy-coated dogs stay cooler in summer, which is one reason regular deshedding matters when the weather warms up. Our deshedding treatment lifts out the dead undercoat that traps heat against the skin.
Preventing heat stroke
Most heat stroke is preventable with a bit of planning:
- Never leave a dog in a parked car, not even for a minute with the windows cracked. Cars become ovens within minutes.
- Walk in the cool of early morning or late evening, never in the midday heat.
- Do the five-second pavement test: if it is too hot for the back of your hand, it is too hot for their paws.
- Always carry water on walks and offer it often.
- Provide shade and airflow at home, and consider a paddling pool or cooling mat.
- Watch the humidity too, as muggy days make panting far less effective.
If in any doubt on a hot day, skip the walk. A missed walk is nothing next to the risk of heat stroke.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of heat stroke in dogs?
The earliest signs are heavy, frantic panting, thick drooling and restlessness or distress. As it worsens you may see bright red or dark gums, wobbliness, vomiting, glazed eyes and eventually collapse. Start cooling and call your vet at the first signs.
How do I cool down a dog with heat stroke fast?
Move them into shade, pour cool (not ice-cold) water continuously over the whole body with a focus on the belly and armpits, keep air moving with a fan, and offer small sips of water if they can drink. Phone your vet and get to them while you keep cooling.
Which dogs are most at risk of heat stroke?
Flat-faced breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs are highest risk, along with thick double-coated breeds, overweight dogs, older dogs, puppies and any dog with heart or breathing problems.
How hot is too hot to walk a dog?
There is no single temperature, because humidity and your dog's breed and health all matter, but as a rule avoid walks in the heat of the day and use the pavement test. If it is too hot for the back of your hand on the ground, walk at dawn or dusk instead.
This isn't veterinary advice
We're professional dog groomers, not vets, so please treat this as friendly general guidance. If you're worried about your dog, or before acting on anything here, speak to your local vet. In an emergency, contact your vet or nearest out-of-hours clinic.
Fluffs is a professional dog grooming salon in Wigginton, York, offering one-to-one grooming for dogs of every breed and coat type across Haxby, Strensall, Huntington, New Earswick and the surrounding villages. We keep every groom calm and take extra care to keep heavy-coated and flat-faced dogs cool and settled throughout their visit. Book a relaxed, unhurried groom.