25/05/2026
‼️Knowing how to respond if your pet shows signs of heatstroke could save their life‼️
☀️🔥 HEATSTROKE IN DOGS & CATS – KNOW THE SIGNS, SAVE A LIFE 🔥☀️
Warm weather can quickly become dangerous for our pets. Unlike us, they can’t sweat or remove layers to cool down, and they don’t always have the option to move to shade or escape the sun.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition where body temperature rises dangerously high. It can lead to organ failure or even death.
🛑 Pets most at risk include:
• Flat-faced breeds (e.g. Pugs, French Bulldogs, Persian cats)
• Overweight pets
• Very young or elderly animals
• Pets with thick coats
• Pets with airway, lung or heart problems
☀️ It doesn’t need to be blazing hot. Exercise in warm weather or being stuck in a hot, stuffy space (like a car or conservatory) can be enough to trigger heatstroke.
👀 Early signs of heatstroke include:
• Panting (can become noisy or laboured)
• Restlessness or agitation
• Drooling
• Red gums or tongue
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Increased heart rate
⚠️ Advanced signs:
• Lethargy
• Confusion
• Weakness or collapse
• Seizures
🚑 First Aid – “Cool first, transport second”:
• Move your pet to a cool, shaded, ventilated area
• Offer small sips of water (don’t force them)
• Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body
• Use a fan or breeze to help with evaporative cooling
• Cold water immersion may help in young, fit dogs
⚠️ Avoid covering with wet towels – they can trap heat and prevent cooling
📞 Call us immediately, even if your pet starts to seem better — delayed complications are common.
💡 Prevent heatstroke:
• Always provide shade and access to cool, fresh water (ice helps!)
• Walk dogs early or late – not in the midday heat
• Test pavements — too hot for your hand = too hot for paws
• Never leave pets in a car or closed room
• Keep long or thick-coated pets well groomed
📚 Info and guidance from the Royal Veterinary College
