Last summer, high temperatures and heat-related illnesses were widely reported across the United States, and this summer has already been a scorcher. These extreme temperature spikes have prompted people to consider ways to keep their pets cool and prevent them from developing heat-related illnesses.

Similar to humans, pets are prone to heat stress during the summer, especially in hot and humid conditions. Heat-related illnesses can affect any pet, regardless of species, age, breed, or gender. Maintain your furry pal’s health when the temperature skyrockets by reading our Carolina Virginia Animal Hospital team’s guide to pets’ heat exhaustion and heatstroke signs. Follow our tips for keeping pets cool and prevent them from needing emergency veterinary care this summer. 

How pets keep their cool

Dogs and cats have several ways to cool themselves but they don’t sweat like humans to regulate their core body temperature. Their fur coats make keeping their cool even more challenging when the temperature and humidity are high. Pets have some sweat glands on their paw pads but not enough to handle extreme heat. When they become overheated, dogs and sometimes cats pant to release excess heat, cool their internal organs, and regulate their body temperature. However, heat exhaustion and heatstroke can occur when a pet’s core body temperature gets so high that panting becomes ineffective.

Heat exhaustion signs in pets

The average body temperature for pets ranges between 100 and 102 degrees. Heat exhaustion happens when a pet’s body temperature exceeds the normal range. Heat exhaustion signs vary, may develop gradually, and may not be evident until the situation becomes severe. If your pet is experiencing heat stress, they may exhibit any of the following signs:

  • Panting
  • Actively seeking shade and water
  • Wide, stressed eyes
  • Lethargy
  • Staggering, weakness, or inability to walk
  • Dark pink gums or tongue
  • Increased heart and pulse rates

Heatstroke signs in pets

Heat exhaustion can progress rapidly to heatstroke, with similar signs. Generally, a pet experiences heatstroke when their body temperature exceeds 104 degrees, and they can no longer cool themself using their body’s natural cooling mechanisms. When dogs cannot cool their internal organs and systems, their body temperature will continue to rise, and blood is diverted from vital internal organs, leading to organ failure. Dogs suffering from heatstroke require immediate emergency veterinary care, as heatstroke can be fatal. Watch for these heatstroke signs: 

  • Excessive drooling
  • Dark red gums and tongue
  • Vomiting, sometimes with blood
  • Diarrhea, sometimes with blood
  • Rapid pulse
  • Glazed-over eyes
  • Staggering or uncoordinated movement
  • Collapse
  • Unresponsiveness
  • Seizures
  • Skin or gum bruising—petechiae—most commonly observed on the abdomen or ear pinnae.

Tips for keeping pets safe in the heat

Heatstroke is always serious and often fatal. The good news is that you can help your pet easily avoid this condition. To ensure your pet avoids developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke, follow these tips: 

  • Never leave your pet in a car — Leaving your pet unattended in a parked vehicle is never a good idea, even in the shade with the windows cracked open. On a warm day, the internal temperature in a vehicle can reach triple digits within minutes, and your pet can quickly succumb to heatstroke. Don’t take this chance.
  • Limit your dog’s exercise — Overexertion in warm temperatures commonly causes heat exhaustion in dogs. Restrict your pet’s activity to the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, and avoid activities such as going to dog parks, running, playing ball, and even walking during the hottest parts of the day. Keep your pet’s brain busy with training and indoor games. 
  • Access to water is crucial for pets — Pets left outside without fresh water available at all times have a high heatstroke risk. Always ensure your pet has access to cool, fresh water no matter if they are outdoors or indoors. 
  • Keep pets indoors — In hot or humid weather, the safest place for your pet is indoors. Keep your house cool by keeping drapes closed throughout the day, leaving the thermostat at a cool temperature even if you’re not home, and providing outdoor pets access to a well-ventilated, cool area such as a covered porch with fans running. 

Preventing heat stress in pets who are at a significant risk

Some pets are predisposed to developing heat stress because of certain factors such as their age, health, or anatomy. The following pets are prone to developing heat stress: 

  • Older pets
  • Puppies or kittens
  • Obese pets
  • Pets with health concerns
  • Flat-faced pets, such as pugs, Boston terriers, English bulldogs, Pekingese, and Persian cats, are at high risk for developing heat stress because of their shortened airways.
  • Pets who have previously experienced heatstroke are predisposed to suffering another bout because of a hypothalamic temperature set point change.   

What to do if you suspect your pet has heatstroke 

If your pet is panting excessively, actively looking for water, can’t seem to get comfortable after being in the heat, or appears in distress, you should take action immediately: 

  • Move your pet to the shade or air-conditioning immediately
  • Offer fresh, cool drinking water
  • Take their temperature with a rectal thermometer every few minutes to ensure that it is decreasing
  • Pour cool water over your pet
  • Use a fan to blow cool air over your pet to assist evaporative cooling.
  • Once your pet’s temperature drops to 103 degrees, stop treatment.
  • Bring your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic.

Even if your pet seems to be recovering, an assessment and monitoring by a veterinarian is essential. Shock, dehydration, kidney failure, and other organ damage can still occur, and your pet needs to be evaluated immediately.

Heat stress in pets is preventable but a dire emergency that can be fatal if not addressed immediately. If you suspect your pet is experiencing heat stress, immediately call our Carolina Virginia Animal Hospital team or go to your nearest emergency veterinary clinic.