05/19/2026
The temperature is going to be on the rise for a little while! Here's some tips for heat stroke in dogs!
Early signs are:
- excessive panting
- difficulty breathing
- excessive drooling
- dog is lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
- dog collapses
- vomiting
A dog’s normal body temp is higher than ours, around 101-102.5. The problem is, dogs are not that efficient at cooling down quickly, so if they get too hot, they can only cool down so fast.
Heatstroke is life threatening and can cause internal damage if untreated. It’s important to cool the dog down as quickly as possible. Note - don’t use ice water! This can construct the capillaries and actually inhibit cooling. Use cool (or whatever water you have) but not ice water if possible.
Dogs that are brachycephalic or overweight are more prone to heatstroke, BUT it can occur in any breed of dog.
Use caution when it’s hot.. for example, don’t run with your dog in the heat of the day, especially if they are higher risk.
Also on a related topic, be wary of burning pavements. If you’re out with your dog in the heat of the day, chances are the pavement will be too hot for their pads. If you see your dog “hot footing” lifting up each paw in succession, then it’s burning them.
