General information to discuss with your vet, not a diagnosis. If your pet is unwell, contact a vet.
Dogs and cats can't sweat the way people do; they cool down mainly by panting. In Pakistan's summer, when afternoons pass 40 to 45 °C, a pet left in the sun, on a rooftop or in a car can overheat in minutes.
Signs of heatstroke
- Heavy, noisy panting that doesn't settle in the shade; cats panting with an open mouth.
- Very red, purple or pale grey gums and tongue; thick drool.
- Weakness, wobbling, confusion or collapse.
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes with blood.
- Fits or not responding.
First aid: what to do now
- Move your pet into shade or an air-conditioned room straight away.
- Pour cool (not ice-cold) tap water over the body, especially the belly, armpits and paws, and put it in front of a fan.
- Keep wetting and fanning. Don't cover your pet with a wet towel; it traps heat.
- Offer small sips of water if it is alert. Never force water into the mouth.
- Call a vet and go, even if your pet seems to recover. Heatstroke can damage the kidneys, gut and blood clotting over the next day.
Stop active cooling once your pet is breathing more calmly; cooling too far can cause the opposite problem.
Pets most at risk
- Flat-faced breeds: Persian cats, pugs, shih tzus, bulldogs, boxers.
- Thick-coated breeds such as huskies, German shepherds and Siberian cats.
- Puppies, kittens, older pets and overweight pets.
- Pets with heart or breathing problems.
Keeping pets safe in summer
- Walk dogs early in the morning or after sunset. Put the back of your hand on the road for 7 seconds; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for paws.
- Never leave a pet in a parked car, even for a few minutes with the windows open.
- Keep pets off hot rooftops and out of glass rooms; give them shade, airflow and plenty of fresh water.
- Keep water bowls in the shade and refill them often; add a second bowl during load-shedding hours.
- Don't shave double-coated dogs to the skin; their coat also protects from the sun. A trim and regular brushing help more.
Questions
What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
Heavy panting that doesn't settle, very red or pale gums, thick drool, weakness or wobbling, vomiting or diarrhoea, and in severe cases collapse or fits.
What should I do if my pet has heatstroke?
Move it to shade or an air-conditioned room, pour cool (not ice-cold) water over the body and put it in front of a fan, then go to a vet straight away, even if it seems to recover.
Which pets are most at risk of heatstroke?
Flat-faced breeds such as Persian cats and pugs, thick-coated breeds, puppies, kittens, older and overweight pets, and pets with heart or breathing problems.
When is it safe to walk my dog in summer?
Early in the morning or after sunset. Put the back of your hand on the road for 7 seconds; if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
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