August 27, 2026, 10:56 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Many dog owners know that a dog should never be left in a car during hot weather. However, what many underestimate is that even at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs can be at risk of heatstroke. Failing to recognize the first warning signs could put your pet in danger. PETBOOK explains how to identify heatstroke and respond correctly in an emergency.
How Dogs Cool Themselves
Dogs do not regulate their body temperature by sweating like humans do. They have a few sweat glands in their paws, but these are not for thermoregulation; they primarily leave scent messages for other dogs.
To cool themselves, dogs pant. They inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. The evaporative cooling effect provides refreshment. However, this requires that the mucous membranes are well-moistened, so dogs need to drink plenty of water in the summer.
How Does Heatstroke Occur in Dogs?
Heatstroke occurs when dogs can no longer regulate their body temperature effectively. This can happen in a car when the interior continues to heat up. In such cases, the dog cannot combat the high temperatures through evaporation alone.
Even in very humid conditions, the cooling effect of panting can be impaired. Muzzles, which restrict a dog’s ability to pant, also pose a significant risk. Many owners use them in public transport because they seem less threatening and are easy to put on.
“Heavy panting is often dismissed as a normal reaction to summer heat. However, it can be one of the first signs that a dog can no longer adequately release heat,” says veterinarian Thomas Backhaus, an expert in integrative veterinary medicine at “Das Gesunde Tier.”
Please note: Certain breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs are particularly at risk of life-threatening heatstroke because their short snouts make evaporative cooling less effective. Nordic breeds and long-haired dogs or those with thick undercoats are also at higher risk. Working dogs, such as police or rescue dogs, are also in danger of overheating. Handlers should always keep an eye on their canine partners.1
Also of interest: Expert reveals how to keep your dog entertained even at 86 degrees Fahrenheit
How to Recognize Heatstroke in Dogs
Dogs suffering from heatstroke often show the following symptoms in addition to increased panting:
- rapid, shallow breathing
- red mucous membranes
- seizures
- staggering movements
- lethargy
- diarrhea and vomiting
If possible, you should measure your dog’s body temperature in this situation. If it is over 105.8 degrees Fahrenheit, heatstroke is likely.
How to Cool Down an Overheated Dog
Heatstroke in dogs is always an acute emergency. The animal must be taken to a shady place and cooled down as quickly as possible. It is especially important to consider the dog’s individual risk factors when providing first aid and preventing heatstroke. Short-nosed breeds like Pugs or French Bulldogs can hardly pant effectively due to their anatomically restricted breathing–simple cooling is often not enough for them, so a veterinarian should be consulted immediately at the first signs.
Older, overweight, or heart-diseased dogs are more sensitive to heat. For them, abrupt cooling with cold water can be dangerous, as it may lead to circulatory problems. Instead, gentle cooling with damp towels or lukewarm water is recommended. A clear emergency checklist can help you act quickly and correctly in an emergency: bring the dog to the shade immediately, cool gently, offer water–and don’t waste time seeking veterinary help.
Quickly to the Vet!
According to the Federal Veterinary Chamber, young and healthy dogs can be immersed in lukewarm water–while holding their heads, as they are often unable to do so in this emergency. Older or pre-existing condition dogs should be sprayed with water or wrapped in a damp towel. An overheated dog also needs water to drink.2
Once these first aid measures are taken, it’s crucial to get to a vet or the nearest animal clinic as quickly as possible. Heatstroke in dogs is life-threatening–the survival rate is only about 50 percent.
Veterinarian Franziska Mette from “Das Gesunde Tier” also emphasizes that no time should be wasted if heatstroke is suspected. In cases of heatstroke, breathing difficulties, circulatory problems, seizures, or consciousness disturbances, a veterinary practice or clinic should always be consulted immediately.
Emergency Checklist for Heatstroke in Dogs
- Get the dog out of the heat immediately:
Bring to a shady or cool, well-ventilated room. - Lower body temperature–but gently!
- Offer fresh drinking water: Only small amounts at a time to avoid vomiting.
- Monitor vital signs: Check panting, shallow breathing, mucous membrane color. If possible: measure temperature (over 105.8°F = acute emergency!)
- Get to a vet or animal clinic as quickly as possible: Even if there seems to be improvement–heatstroke can damage internal organs!
- During transport: Continue to cool the dog and keep it calm, avoid drafts.
Recognizing and Responding to Heatstroke in Dogs
How to Recognize Heatstroke in Your Cat
Preventing Heatstroke in Dogs
You can prevent heatstroke in dogs by scheduling walks during the early morning or late evening hours on hot days. Avoid strenuous dog sports and, if possible, provide your pet with a dog pool in the garden or on the balcony. If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, such as a guard or farm dog, it needs a shady spot to retreat to when necessary–and, of course, plenty of fresh water to quench its thirst.3
Other Summer Dangers for Dogs
Heatstroke is one of the most dangerous summer emergencies for dogs. However, according to veterinarians Thomas Backhaus and Franziska Mette, there are other risks in the warm season that pet owners should be aware of. Common issues include dehydration from insufficient fluid intake, gastrointestinal problems after travel or dietary changes, and injuries to paws from hot asphalt. Ticks, insect bites, awns, and allergic reactions also occur more frequently in summer. Additionally, many dogs are physically overexerted or drink too little in high temperatures.