What Is Heat Stress in Dogs?
Heat stress is the earliest stage of overheating. It’s your dog’s way of saying, “I’m getting too hot, and I need help cooling down.”
Early Signs of Heat Stress:
- Excessive panting
- Seeking shade or cool surfaces
- Drooling
- Warm or dry nose
- Slower movement or reluctance to keep playing
- Pasty saliva
- Brick red mucous membranes
- Feeling warm to the touch
What To Do:
Move your dog to a cool, shaded area immediately. Offer fresh, cool (not ice-cold) water and let them rest. This is your warning sign—take it seriously before it escalates. Rubbing alcohol can be dabbed on the inside of the pinnae of their ears (excess ear skin, not canal), on their armpits, and groin areas to cool their surface blood quickly. Consult your veterinarian for further instructions.
What Is Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion happens when your dog’s body can’t keep its temperature down on its own anymore. It’s more dangerous than heat stress and can develop quickly.
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy, rapid breathing
- Bright red tongue or gums
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Weakness or stumbling
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion or uncoordinated movement
- Sunken, dry eyes
What To Do:
Get your dog to a cooler area right away. Wet their paws, belly, and armpits with lukewarm or cool water (avoid ice). Use fans if you can. Call your vet immediately—heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke.
What Is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Your dog’s internal temperature has reached dangerous levels, and their organs may begin to shut down.
Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs:
- Body temperature above 104°F
- Rapid, noisy breathing or gasping
- Brick-red or pale/blue gums
- Seizures
- Collapse or unconsciousness
- Little to no response to your voice
- Dark urine or no urine
- Head tremors
- Coma
What To Do:
Take immediate action:
- Move to a cool area.
- Begin gradual cooling—apply cool, damp cloths or spray with lukewarm water.
- Do not use ice baths or ice packs.
Get to a veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. This is not something that can be “waited out.” Heat exhaustion and heat stroke protocol requires oxygen, and without treatment, your pet risks seizures, organ death, blood clotting issues, coma, and death. This is not to scare you–heat exhaustion is a real danger to dogs.
When to Call the Vet
If your dog shows any signs beyond mild panting or discomfort, play it safe and call your vet. Waiting too long can lead to irreversible organ damage—or worse.
Call a Vet Right Away If:
- Your dog seems disoriented, collapses, or vomits
- They’re panting excessively and not cooling down
- Gums or tongue look abnormal in color
- You suspect their body temp is over 104°F
Prevention Is Everything
Here are a few tips to avoid heat-related emergencies:
- Walk early or late in the day, not in peak heat.
- Avoid hot pavement—it can burn paws.
- Provide constant access to fresh water.
- Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car.
- Use cooling mats, fans, and shaded areas at home or outdoors.
- Watch flat-faced breeds (like pugs and bulldogs), seniors, and overweight dogs extra carefully—they’re at greater risk.
Conclusion
Your dog depends on you to keep them safe and comfortable. By knowing the stages of overheating and how to react, you can prevent a scary situation from becoming a heartbreaking one. When in doubt, cool them down and call your vet.
*All Kreatures is not a veterinarian and is not licensed to practice animal medicine. This article is intended for awareness and education, not as a guide for medical intervention.