Heatstroke in pets: the signs to know and what to do in the first minutes

Most pet owners in the UAE know the summer is tough on animals. Fewer know exactly what heatstroke looks like in the first minutes, which is when your response matters most. This guide is written to be read before you need it, and to be easy to follow if you are reading it with a panting dog beside you and your heart pounding.

What is heatstroke in pets?

Heatstroke happens when a pet’s body temperature rises higher than it can cope with, and the normal ways of cooling down, mainly panting in dogs, are no longer enough. It can develop from heat exhaustion, a milder stage that is your warning to stop and cool your pet before things get worse.

In the UAE the hot months, roughly May to September, bring high temperatures and high humidity, which makes it harder for panting to work. Hot ground, cars, balconies without shade and outdoor kennels are the usual settings. Even a short, excited game in the wrong place at the wrong time can be enough for a vulnerable animal.

What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?

Look for a combination of heavy panting that does not settle, drooling that becomes thick or sticky, weakness or tiredness, restlessness or confusion, and refusing to walk. Collapse is a sign the situation is severe. Because signs can escalate quickly, treat any of these on a hot day as a reason to stop and cool your dog.

• Early signs: heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, tiredness, a dry nose, reluctance to keep moving.
• Serious signs: a fast heartbeat, noisy or fast breathing, red gums with heavy breathing, muscle spasms or shivering, vomiting or diarrhoea, collapse, and seizures.
• Dehydration signs: sunken eyes, infrequent urination, dry gums or nose.

Veterinary charities also note that blood in vomit or stool can mean heatstroke has become more severe. In every case, the right response is the same: cool your pet and get veterinary help.

Cool first, transport second.

Which pets are at highest risk?

Any animal can overheat, but some are more vulnerable. Those with health conditions, especially breathing problems, those with thick coats, very young and older animals, and flat-faced breeds are at higher risk. Flat-faced dogs cannot pant as effectively because of the shape of their airways, so they can run into trouble much faster than other dogs.

• Flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs and cats, such as bulldogs, pugs, Persians and similar breeds.
• Puppies, kittens and senior pets.
• Overweight pets and pets with heart or lung conditions.
• Pets with thick or double coats.
• Any pet shut in a hot room, car or enclosure, or exercised hard in the heat.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and other small animals can also suffer in heat, and they cannot be walked to a cool spot. If you keep them, move them to a cool, shaded, ventilated room and ask your vet about the right way to cool each species.

What should I do in the first minutes?

Stop whatever is heating your pet, start cooling, and call a vet. The order matters, because every minute of overheating can add to the damage.

1. Stop the heating. End the exercise. Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned room, or out of a hot car or building.
2. Cool with water. Pour or spray cool water over the neck, stomach and thighs, and avoid the head. If your pet is conscious and otherwise healthy, some veterinary guidance allows a cool bath, but if you are unsure, spraying with room-temperature water is the safer choice.
3. Add airflow. A fan or air conditioning helps the water evaporate and cool the skin.
4. Offer small sips of water if your pet is alert. Do not force water into a pet that is drowsy or collapsing.
5. Phone a vet. Tell them what happened, and ask where to take your pet. Travel in a cooled, well-ventilated car, and keep cooling on the way if you can.

What should I avoid doing?

Good intentions can make things worse. The most common mistakes are placing damp towels directly over your pet’s body, which can trap heat, using ice or ice-cold water without advice, and waiting at home to see whether your pet recovers. Do not leave your pet alone while you search for a clinic, and do not give any medicine unless a vet tells you to.

• Do not wrap your pet in towels that hold heat. If you use towels, place wet ones underneath and re-wet them often.
• Do not give human painkillers or other medicines.
• Do not skip the vet because your pet “seems fine now”. Heatstroke can damage organs even after your pet looks better, so a check-up is important.

Where do I go for emergency care in the UAE?

Phone ahead to the nearest clinic that is open and can take emergencies, because not every clinic is staffed overnight. A few UAE clinics say on their own websites that they operate around the clock, and we list how to find them, and what to check, in our guide to finding a 24-hour emergency vet in the UAE. You can also search the local guide with the 24-hour filter.

Save two numbers in your phone today: your regular vet, and one clinic that is open 24 hours. In an emergency you will not want to search.

How can I prevent heatstroke?

Prevention is mostly planning. Keep walks to the cool ends of the day, test the ground with the back of your hand, carry water, and never leave pets in a parked car. We cover walking routines in detail in our guide to walking your dog in the UAE heat.

• Provide fresh water and a shaded, ventilated place at home at all times.
• Keep balconies and outdoor spaces shaded, and never leave pets outside through the heat of the day.
• Choose gentler exercise for higher-risk pets, and slow down early.
• Ask your vet whether a summer clip or coat care is right for your pet. Do not shave a double coat without advice.

The calmest way to handle heatstroke is to have a plan before it happens. Read the steps once, tell the people who look after your pet, and keep a vet’s number close. If you ever need it, you will be glad you did.