Heat exhaustion is an early stage of overheating. Your dog may pant heavily, drool, seem weak, or struggle to stay comfortable, but prompt cooling and veterinary guidance can help prevent the condition from worsening. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency in which overheating causes serious dysfunction, including possible damage to the brain, kidneys, and other organs.
The distinction is not always obvious, and heat exhaustion can progress quickly. You do not need to know which condition your dog has before acting: move your dog to a cool place, start cooling, and call a veterinarian right away.
Early warning signs can include intense panting, excessive drooling, weakness, and reluctance to move. As overheating becomes more severe, your dog may appear disoriented, stagger, vomit, collapse, or have a seizure. Gums may look unusually red or pale.
A rectal temperature of 104°F or higher is concerning, while a temperature around 106°F or above is often associated with heat stroke. However, serious illness can occur at lower temperatures, and you should not delay cooling or veterinary care to take a reading.
Move your dog into shade or air conditioning. Pour cool, not ice-cold, water over the body and use a fan or airflow to help cooling. Offer small amounts of cool water if your dog is alert and able to drink, but do not force it.
Call your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately and arrange transport. Continue cooling during the trip as advised by the veterinary team. Even if your dog seems better, a veterinarian should assess for complications that may not be visible right away.
For more detail on warning signs and emergency care, read our guide to spotting heat stroke in dogs.
Seven possible signs in dogs are heavy panting, excessive drooling, rapid breathing, weakness, reluctance to move, unusually red gums, and vomiting. These signs can also occur with more severe heat illness, so begin cooling and call your veterinarian.
Heat exhaustion may cause heavy panting and weakness, while heat stroke can involve disorientation, staggering, collapse, or seizures. The two can be difficult to distinguish, so treat suspected overheating urgently rather than waiting for severe signs.
Move your dog to a cool area, apply cool water, and use airflow while you contact a veterinarian. There is no guaranteed at-home cure, and your dog may need veterinary treatment even after cooling begins.
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