Heat stroke can kill a dog in under an hour. Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat to cool down, which makes them vulnerable to overheating, especially during summer months or in poorly ventilated spaces. The good news is that heat stroke is almost always preventable, and knowing the warning signs can save your dog's life.
To keep your dog cool and healthy, you should know how to recognize when your dog is overheating, what to do in an emergency, and how to keep your dog safe when temperatures rise.
How Dogs Regulate Body Temperature
A dog's normal body temperature ranges from 101.5 to 102°F, which is slightly higher than the human average. While humans have sweat glands all over the body, dogs only have a small number in their paw pads. This means sweating does almost nothing to cool them down.
Instead, dogs rely primarily on panting to regulate their body temperature. When a dog pants, they inhale cooler air through the nose and exhale warm, moist air through the mouth. This exchange helps release heat from the body.
The problem is that panting becomes less effective in hot, humid conditions. When the air is already warm and saturated with moisture, less evaporative cooling occurs. This is why dogs can overheat quickly on muggy summer days, even if they're not exercising heavily.
Signs of an Overheated Dog
Recognizing the signs of overheating early gives you more time to act. Symptoms tend to progress from mild to severe, and the earlier you intervene, the better the outcome.
Early warning signs:
Heavy, rapid panting
Seeking shade or cool surfaces
Excessive thirst
Slowing down during walks or play
Moderate signs:
Thick, sticky drool
Bright red tongue and gums
Rapid heartbeat
Glazed eyes
Weakness or stumbling
Severe or emergency signs:
Disorientation or confusion
Collapse
Gums turning gray, purple, or blue
Loss of consciousness
Temperature Danger Zones for Dogs
Stage | Body Temperature | Signs | What to Do |
Normal | 100 to 102°F | Normal panting after activity | Monitor, offer water |
Elevated | 103 to 104°F | Heavy panting, seeking cool spots | Move to shade, begin cooling |
Dangerous | 104 to 105°F | Excessive drooling, red gums, lethargy | Active cooling, call vet |
Emergency | 106°F and above | Vomiting, collapse, disorientation | Cool while rushing to emergency vet |
When checking your dog's temperature, a rectal thermometer provides the most accurate reading. If your dog has stool in the rectum, the reading may be artificially lower than actual body temperature.
You can also check your dog's gums for clues. Healthy gums are pink and moist. Overheated dogs often have sticky, dry gums that appear bright red. As the condition worsens, gums may turn pale, gray, or even bluish, which indicates poor oxygen circulation and requires immediate veterinary attention.
What to Do If Your Dog Is Overheating (Emergency First Aid)
If you suspect your dog is overheating, take action immediately. Every minute counts.
Step 1: Move your dog to a cool area. Get them out of the sun and into an air-conditioned room, shaded area, or car with the AC running. Even moving to a cooler surface like tile or concrete helps.
Step 2: Apply cool (not ice cold) water. Wet your dog's entire body, focusing on the neck, armpits, groin, and paw pads. You can use a hose, wet towels, or pour water directly on them. Avoid submerging them in ice water.
Step 3: Use a fan if available. Air movement speeds up evaporative cooling. Position a fan to blow across your dog's wet fur.
Step 4: Offer small amounts of water. If your dog is alert and interested, let them drink cool water. Don't force water into the mouth of a dog that is unconscious or struggling to breathe.
Step 5: Head to the vet immediately. Call ahead so the clinic can prepare. Continue cooling your dog during transport by draping wet towels over them and running the car's AC.
What NOT to Do
Don't use ice or ice-cold water. Extreme cold causes blood vessels to constrict, which actually traps heat inside the body and slows cooling.
Don't force water into an unconscious dog's mouth. This can cause aspiration.
Don't wrap your dog tightly in wet towels. A snug wrap can trap heat. Drape towels loosely or remove them frequently.
Don't wait to see if symptoms improve on their own. Heat stroke progresses rapidly, and organ damage can occur within minutes.
Important: Research shows that cooling your dog before arriving at the vet can improve survival rates from approximately 50% to 80%. Your quick action at home makes a significant difference.
What Causes Dogs to Overheat?
Several factors can push a dog's body temperature into dangerous territory.
Hot cars. This is the most common cause of heat stroke in dogs. The temperature inside a parked car rises shockingly fast, even on mild days.
Outside Temperature | After 10 Minutes | After 20 Minutes | After 30 Minutes |
75°F | 94°F | 104°F | 114°F |
85°F | 104°F | 114°F | 124°F |
95°F | 114°F | 124°F | 134°F |
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cracking the windows makes almost no difference. A car with cracked windows heats up at nearly the same rate as one with windows closed. Never leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Exercise in hot or humid weather. Dogs will often keep playing or running to please their owners, even when they're dangerously hot. Active dogs can develop exertional heat stroke in as little as 30 minutes without adequate shade, water, and rest.
Lack of shade or water. Dogs left outdoors without access to shade and fresh water are at high risk, especially during heat waves.
Poor ventilation. Crates, kennels, or indoor spaces without adequate airflow can become dangerously hot.
Can Dogs Overheat Indoors?
Yes. Dogs can overheat inside a house if there's no air conditioning, poor ventilation, or if the AC fails during a heat wave. Brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs are especially vulnerable to indoor overheating because their shortened airways make panting less efficient.
If you're leaving your dog home on a hot day, ensure the AC is working reliably, provide plenty of water, and consider leaving a fan running. Some pet owners use temperature monitoring devices that send alerts if the home gets too warm.
Dogs at Higher Risk of Overheating
While any dog can overheat, certain factors increase the risk significantly.
Brachycephalic breeds. Dogs with flat faces and shortened airways, including Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, and French Bulldogs, can't pant as efficiently. This makes them extremely vulnerable to heat, even in conditions that wouldn't affect other breeds.
Double-coated breeds. Huskies, Malamutes, German Shepherds, and other breeds with thick undercoats have excellent insulation, which works against them in hot weather.
Senior dogs. Older dogs often have less efficient temperature regulation and may have underlying health conditions that increase their risk.
Puppies. Young dogs haven't fully developed their ability to regulate body temperature.
Overweight dogs. Fat acts as insulation, trapping heat inside the body. Studies show that obese dogs have roughly three times the mortality rate from heat stroke compared to dogs at a healthy weight.
Dogs with health conditions. Heart disease, respiratory problems, and laryngeal paralysis all reduce a dog's ability to cope with heat.
Dogs not acclimated to heat. A sudden move to a warmer climate or an unexpected heat wave can catch dogs off guard. It takes 10 to 60 days for dogs to acclimate to hotter temperatures.
Heat Stroke Treatment: What to Expect at the Vet
When you arrive at the veterinary clinic, the team will work quickly to stabilize your dog. Expect your dog to be taken to the treatment area immediately.
Cooling. The vet will continue controlled cooling, often using cool IV fluids and fans. They'll monitor body temperature closely to avoid overcooling.
Blood work. Lab tests check for organ damage, blood clotting problems, and electrolyte imbalances. Heat stroke can affect the kidneys, liver, and brain.
Supportive care. Depending on severity, your dog may need IV fluids for dehydration, oxygen support, medications to control seizures, or antibiotics to prevent secondary infections.
Monitoring. Dogs with moderate to severe heat stroke typically require 24 to 48 hours of hospitalization. The vet will watch for delayed complications like kidney failure or clotting disorders.
Even if your dog seems to have recovered normally from heat stroke, continue monitoring them. Neurological deficits and pulmonary issues can take a few days to show up. Be sure to immediately report any difficulty breathing, incoordination, or seizures to your veterinarian for further treatment.
Prognosis for Dogs Overheating
Dogs that survive the first 48 hours of treatment generally have good outcomes. Death from heat stroke usually occurs within the first 24 hours, often due to multi-organ failure. The overall mortality rate for severe heat stroke cases treated at veterinary hospitals is around 50%.
Dogs who recover from heat stroke may be more susceptible to overheating in the future and will need extra precautions going forward.
Treatment Costs
Emergency treatment for heat stroke varies widely based on severity:
Mild cases: $500 to $1,500
Moderate cases requiring hospitalization: $1,500 to $3,000
Severe cases with ICU care: $5,000 to $10,000 or more
These costs can add up quickly, especially if your dog needs extended monitoring or develops complications.
Why Pet Insurance is a Summer Essential
Pet insurance isn't just for long-term illnesses; it’s designed for the high-speed emergencies that happen in the blink of an eye. For many pet parents, a sudden heatwave or a cooling failure at home can lead to an unexpected multi-thousand dollar vet bill. By having pet insurance in place, you ensure that if your dog overheats, your only priority is their recovery, not how you’ll afford the life-saving ICU care.
Understanding pet insurance costs ahead of time means you can focus on your dog's recovery rather than unexpected bills. Embrace covers emergency vet visits, hospitalization, and follow-up care for accidents and illnesses like heat stroke.
Willow’s Story: A Summer Walk Gone Wrong
When Willow, a young Labrador Retriever, went on a hike with her parents, she got overheated. Heading back to the car, she was staggering with bright red gums. Willow was rushed to the ICU, where she required two days of intensive stabilization, oxygen, and IV fluids.
The total bill for her life-saving care was $2,648.64. Because her owners had an Embrace, they could say yes to all the treatment, allowing them to focus on Willow’s recovery rather than the cost.
Expert Guidance for Overheating Dogs
In a heat emergency, the first few minutes are the most critical. Embrace policyholders don't have to face that panic alone. Every policy includes PawSupport, a 24/7 telehealth line that connects you instantly with veterinary experts.
Whether you are unsure if your dog's panting is "normal" or you need immediate triage steps while driving to the ER, PawSupport provides professional guidance at no extra cost.
Preventing Dog Overheating
Heat stroke is almost entirely preventable with a little planning and awareness.
Never leave your dog in a parked car. Not even for a minute, not even with the windows cracked.
Exercise during cooler hours. Walk and play in the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower. Avoid midday heat.
Provide constant access to water and shade. If your dog is outside, make sure they have a shady spot and fresh water at all times.
Know your dog's limits. Brachycephalic breeds, seniors, and overweight dogs need extra caution. Don't push them to keep up with more heat-tolerant dogs.
Watch humidity, not just temperature. High humidity reduces the effectiveness of panting. A moderately warm but humid day can be more dangerous than a hot, dry one.
Avoid hot pavement. Asphalt and concrete absorb heat and can burn paw pads. If the ground is too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's feet.
Consider cooling products. Cooling vests, mats, and bandanas can help active dogs stay comfortable in warm weather.
Remember that survivors are at higher risk. Dogs who have experienced heat stroke once are more likely to overheat again. Take extra precautions for the rest of their lives.