Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats:
How to Prevent It and What to Do
How to Prevent It and What to Do
TL;DR
Main takeaway:
heatstroke can develop faster than many pet owners expect. The best protection is a combination of prevention, recognizing the early signs, and knowing how to respond quickly.
- Heatstroke can become life-threatening very quickly
- Hot weather, high humidity, poor ventilation, and lack of water or shade can all increase the risk
- Flat-faced breeds, overweight pets, senior animals, puppies and kittens, and pets with certain health conditions are especially vulnerable
- Warning signs include excessive panting, heavy drooling, weakness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, collapse, and seizures
- Prevention includes avoiding the hottest parts of the day, providing water and shade, checking pavement temperature, and never leaving pets in parked cars
- If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet somewhere cool and contact a veterinarian immediately
- If cooling is recommended, use tepid water and airflow rather than ice or very cold water
- Do not wrap an overheated pet in wet towels, as this can trap heat
Main takeaway:
heatstroke can develop faster than many pet owners expect. The best protection is a combination of prevention, recognizing the early signs, and knowing how to respond quickly.
Hot weather can be dangerous for dogs and cats, especially during exercise, travel, or time spent outdoors without enough shade, water, or ventilation.
Unlike humans, pets do not cool themselves by sweating across most of their body. Dogs and cats rely mainly on panting, along with limited sweating through their paw pads. When these cooling mechanisms are no longer enough, body temperature can rise rapidly.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), heatstroke generally occurs when a pet's body temperature rises above about 104°F, or 40°C. A normal body temperature is typically around 100°F to 102.5°F, approximately 37.8°C to 39.2°C.
Heatstroke can lead to severe complications and can be fatal, which makes prevention especially important.
Unlike humans, pets do not cool themselves by sweating across most of their body. Dogs and cats rely mainly on panting, along with limited sweating through their paw pads. When these cooling mechanisms are no longer enough, body temperature can rise rapidly.
According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), heatstroke generally occurs when a pet's body temperature rises above about 104°F, or 40°C. A normal body temperature is typically around 100°F to 102.5°F, approximately 37.8°C to 39.2°C.
Heatstroke can lead to severe complications and can be fatal, which makes prevention especially important.
How to prevent heatstroke
How to prevent heatstroke
The risk of overheating depends on more than the temperature alone.
High humidity makes it harder for pets to lose heat through panting, so it is useful to pay attention to the heat index as well as the air temperature.
AAHA recommends taking extra precautions when temperatures rise above approximately 80°F, or 27°C, particularly when humidity is high.
A few simple habits can significantly reduce the risk.
Choose the right time for outdoor activity
Walk, run, and play with your pet during the cooler parts of the day, usually early in the morning or later in the evening.
On very hot days, reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activity and allow frequent breaks.
Always provide water, shade, and ventilation
Pets spending time outdoors should have constant access to fresh water and a cool, shaded area.
Good ventilation is also important, especially in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
Never leave a pet in a parked car
The temperature inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels very quickly, even when the weather outside does not seem particularly hot.
Leaving windows slightly open does not make a parked car safe for a pet.
Check the pavement before walking
Asphalt, sidewalks, and sand can become extremely hot and may burn a pet's paw pads.
AAHA recommends placing the back of your hand on the surface for several seconds. If it feels too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet's paws.
Keep indoor spaces cool
Heatstroke does not only happen outdoors.
Homes, garages, sunrooms, enclosed porches, and other spaces can also become dangerously warm.
During hot weather, make sure your pet has access to water, ventilation, shade, and, when necessary, air conditioning.
Use cooling products carefully
Cooling mats, fans, pet-safe cooling vests, and other cooling tools can help keep pets comfortable.
Extreme cooling, however, should be avoided. Ice baths and very cold water can cause rapid changes in body temperature and are not recommended for treating an overheated pet.
High humidity makes it harder for pets to lose heat through panting, so it is useful to pay attention to the heat index as well as the air temperature.
AAHA recommends taking extra precautions when temperatures rise above approximately 80°F, or 27°C, particularly when humidity is high.
A few simple habits can significantly reduce the risk.
Choose the right time for outdoor activity
Walk, run, and play with your pet during the cooler parts of the day, usually early in the morning or later in the evening.
On very hot days, reduce the duration and intensity of outdoor activity and allow frequent breaks.
Always provide water, shade, and ventilation
Pets spending time outdoors should have constant access to fresh water and a cool, shaded area.
Good ventilation is also important, especially in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
Never leave a pet in a parked car
The temperature inside a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels very quickly, even when the weather outside does not seem particularly hot.
Leaving windows slightly open does not make a parked car safe for a pet.
Check the pavement before walking
Asphalt, sidewalks, and sand can become extremely hot and may burn a pet's paw pads.
AAHA recommends placing the back of your hand on the surface for several seconds. If it feels too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your pet's paws.
Keep indoor spaces cool
Heatstroke does not only happen outdoors.
Homes, garages, sunrooms, enclosed porches, and other spaces can also become dangerously warm.
During hot weather, make sure your pet has access to water, ventilation, shade, and, when necessary, air conditioning.
Use cooling products carefully
Cooling mats, fans, pet-safe cooling vests, and other cooling tools can help keep pets comfortable.
Extreme cooling, however, should be avoided. Ice baths and very cold water can cause rapid changes in body temperature and are not recommended for treating an overheated pet.
Which pets are more vulnerable?
Which pets are more vulnerable?
Any dog or cat can develop heatstroke, but some animals are at higher risk.
Flat-faced breeds
Brachycephalic breeds have short muzzles and flatter faces, which can make panting less effective.
This includes dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, boxers, and Boston terriers, as well as flat-faced cats such as Persians.
Because panting is one of the main ways pets release heat, these animals can overheat more easily.
Overweight pets
Excess body fat acts as insulation and can make it more difficult for the body to release heat.
Being overweight can also make breathing and panting more difficult.
Puppies, kittens, and senior pets
Very young animals may have less developed mechanisms for regulating body temperature.
Senior pets may be more vulnerable because they are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that affect their ability to cope with heat.
Pets with health conditions
Animals with heart disease, respiratory disorders, kidney disease, and some other medical conditions can be at greater risk.
Higher-risk pets may need to spend most of very hot days indoors, with outdoor time limited to short necessary trips.
Flat-faced breeds
Brachycephalic breeds have short muzzles and flatter faces, which can make panting less effective.
This includes dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, boxers, and Boston terriers, as well as flat-faced cats such as Persians.
Because panting is one of the main ways pets release heat, these animals can overheat more easily.
Overweight pets
Excess body fat acts as insulation and can make it more difficult for the body to release heat.
Being overweight can also make breathing and panting more difficult.
Puppies, kittens, and senior pets
Very young animals may have less developed mechanisms for regulating body temperature.
Senior pets may be more vulnerable because they are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that affect their ability to cope with heat.
Pets with health conditions
Animals with heart disease, respiratory disorders, kidney disease, and some other medical conditions can be at greater risk.
Higher-risk pets may need to spend most of very hot days indoors, with outdoor time limited to short necessary trips.
Signs of heatstroke
Signs of heatstroke
Recognizing the early signs of overheating is important because heatstroke can progress quickly.
Warning signs can include:
• excessive or unusually heavy panting
• excessive or thick drooling
• difficulty breathing
• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• loss of coordination or stumbling
• confusion or disorientation
• vomiting
• diarrhea, sometimes with blood
• very red or unusually pale gums
• collapse
• seizures
A pet does not need to show every symptom before the situation becomes serious.
If you suspect your pet is overheating, act quickly.
Warning signs can include:
• excessive or unusually heavy panting
• excessive or thick drooling
• difficulty breathing
• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• loss of coordination or stumbling
• confusion or disorientation
• vomiting
• diarrhea, sometimes with blood
• very red or unusually pale gums
• collapse
• seizures
A pet does not need to show every symptom before the situation becomes serious.
If you suspect your pet is overheating, act quickly.
What to do if your pet shows signs of heatstroke
What to do if your pet shows signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke should be treated as a medical emergency.
Move your pet immediately to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area and contact a veterinary hospital.
If your pet is alert and able to drink safely, you can offer small amounts of cool water. The water should not be ice-cold.
If a veterinary professional recommends beginning cooling measures, use tepid water to gradually wet the body, particularly around the neck, chest, and abdomen.
A fan can help increase evaporation and remove heat more effectively.
If you are able to monitor your pet's temperature with a rectal thermometer, AAHA recommends stopping active cooling once the temperature reaches approximately 103°F, or 39.4°C. Continued aggressive cooling could cause the body temperature to fall too far.
Move your pet immediately to a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area and contact a veterinary hospital.
If your pet is alert and able to drink safely, you can offer small amounts of cool water. The water should not be ice-cold.
If a veterinary professional recommends beginning cooling measures, use tepid water to gradually wet the body, particularly around the neck, chest, and abdomen.
A fan can help increase evaporation and remove heat more effectively.
If you are able to monitor your pet's temperature with a rectal thermometer, AAHA recommends stopping active cooling once the temperature reaches approximately 103°F, or 39.4°C. Continued aggressive cooling could cause the body temperature to fall too far.
What not to do
What not to do
Some cooling methods that seem logical can actually make the situation worse.
Do not use ice or extremely cold water to cool an overheated pet.
Very rapid cooling can cause unwanted changes in circulation and body temperature.
Do not wrap your pet in wet towels.
Wet towels can reduce evaporation and trap heat next to the body instead of allowing it to escape.
Do not use ice or extremely cold water to cool an overheated pet.
Very rapid cooling can cause unwanted changes in circulation and body temperature.
Do not wrap your pet in wet towels.
Wet towels can reduce evaporation and trap heat next to the body instead of allowing it to escape.
When to contact a veterinarian
When to contact a veterinarian
If you suspect heatstroke, contact a veterinarian immediately rather than waiting to see whether your pet improves.
Even if your pet appears better after cooling, heatstroke can affect internal organs and may require veterinary evaluation and treatment.
Severe cases may require intravenous fluids, support for blood pressure, monitoring, and other medical treatment.
Heatstroke is easier to prevent than to treat.
Paying attention to temperature and humidity, choosing cooler times for walks, providing enough water and ventilation, protecting paws from hot surfaces, and taking extra care with vulnerable pets can significantly reduce the risk.
And if overheating does happen, recognizing the warning signs and acting quickly can make a critical difference.
Even if your pet appears better after cooling, heatstroke can affect internal organs and may require veterinary evaluation and treatment.
Severe cases may require intravenous fluids, support for blood pressure, monitoring, and other medical treatment.
Heatstroke is easier to prevent than to treat.
Paying attention to temperature and humidity, choosing cooler times for walks, providing enough water and ventilation, protecting paws from hot surfaces, and taking extra care with vulnerable pets can significantly reduce the risk.
And if overheating does happen, recognizing the warning signs and acting quickly can make a critical difference.
Sources:
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Heatstroke in Pets: Signs, Risks, and What to Do, updated June 11, 2026.
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats, updated May 19, 2026.
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Heatstroke in Pets: Signs, Risks, and What to Do, updated June 11, 2026.
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats, updated May 19, 2026.