How to prevent heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke in dogs is when your pet becomes too hot and is unable to self regulate their body temperature. It’s a type of nonpyrogenic hyperthermia, which means their temperature rises, caused by external factors (not a fever). Dogs carry a lot of fur, so to them, a walk outside on a hot day is the equivalent to us wearing a fur coat in 26c!

There are two types of heat stroke, exertional and non-exertional. Exertional occurs when your dog is exercising in hot weather and they haven’t been able to adjust to the increase in temperature (it can take dogs 60 days to acclimatise). Non-exertional is when your dog is in a warmer environment and has no access to air or cool water, such as in a car, an unshaded area or a hot environment.

Unlike humans, dogs don’t have sweat glands on furry areas of their body, so it’s not as easy for them to cool down naturally. However, dogs can sweat via the sweat glands around their nose and on their paws but this is limited in relation to their body mass.

Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs

Panting
Drooling
Whining
Lethargy
High temperature

Dehydration
Increased thirst
Increased pulse
Red or purple gums or tongue

Vomiting
Seizures
Collapsing

Dog Breeds More Susceptible to Heatstroke

Overweight dogs or flat-faced breeds (brachycephalic pets) such as French Bulldogs and Pugs are more susceptible to heatstroke.

Overweight dogs have increased body mass and naturally more fur, so their body temperature rises quicker. Brachycephalic dogs can suffer from a narrow upper respiratory tract and narrow nostrils which can obstruct the airway and restrict airflow, which is required as dogs pant to circulate air through their body.