27/10/2026
🐾𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲: 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱 & 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻🐾
Heatstroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a dog's body becomes too hot. It can happen quickly, especially on hot or humid days, during exercise, or when a dog is left in a hot environment, like a parked car.
🌡️𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿
𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚:
➡️Excessive or heavy panting
➡️Drooling more than usual
➡️Restlessness or difficulty settling
➡️Bright red gums or tongue
➡️Weakness or unusual tiredness
𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙙𝙚:
➡️Vomiting or diarrhoea
➡️Thick, sticky saliva
➡️Wobbly walking or difficulty standing
➡️Confusion, disorientation or collapse
➡️Seizures or loss of consciousness
A dog does not need to show every sign to be suffering from heatstroke. If you suspect heatstroke, act immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
🚑 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲
➡️Move your dog somewhere cool. Get them out of the sun and into an air-conditioned or shaded area.
➡️Start cooling them immediately. Wet their body with cool tap water, particularly around the neck, belly, groin and paws. Use a fan to help with cooling if available.
➡️Avoid ice and ice-cold water. These can cause blood vessels to narrow and may interfere with effective cooling.
➡️Offer small amounts of cool drinking water if your dog is fully conscious and able to swallow normally. Never force them to drink.
➡️Contact your vet or nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Let them know you suspect heatstroke and that you are cooling your dog. Follow their instructions and arrange urgent transport.
➡️Continue cooling during transport if safe to do so, while following veterinary advice.
Even if your dog appears to recover, they still need urgent veterinary assessment. Heatstroke can cause internal organ damage that may not be immediately obvious.
☀️𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲
➡️Provide plenty of fresh water and access to shade throughout the day.
➡️Avoid exercising during the hottest parts of the day. Walk early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler.
𝗗𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟴 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗰 (eg. bulldogs, bullys, frenchies, pugs, boxers, mastiffs)
➡️Never leave a dog unattended in a parked car, even with the windows open or on a mild day.
➡️Be mindful of hot pavement. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it may be too hot for your dog's paws.
➡️Avoid overexertion. Take frequent breaks and allow your dog to rest in a cool area.
➡️Know your dog's risk factors. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, older dogs, puppies and dogs with heart or respiratory conditions may be more vulnerable. Limit their exercise to short periods and ensure outside temperatures are less than 25 degrees. Keep them inside with air conditioning wherever possible.
➡️Keep an eye on outdoor temperatures and humidity. Dogs can overheat even when it doesn't feel extremely hot to us.
Heatstroke can develop rapidly, but recognising the warning signs and acting quickly can make a life-saving difference.
If you suspect heatstroke, start cooling your dog and seek veterinary care immediately. Don't wait to see if they improve.
