Hot days and dogs: heatstroke signs, safe walk times and the hand test
Aussie summers are no joke for dogs. They can't sweat like we do. They cool down mostly by panting, and on a hot, humid day that only goes so far. Heatstroke can come on fast and it can kill, but most of it is preventable with a few simple habits.
It's not just hot cars
We all know never to leave a dog in the car. But a study of more than 900,000 dogs under vet care in the UK found that about three out of four cases of heat-related illness happened after exercise, not in a car. Walks, runs and games of fetch on a warm day were the biggest trigger by far.
Some dogs are at higher risk than others:
- Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, pugs and bulldogs. They had higher odds of every type of heat illness in that study.
- Older dogs and puppies.
- Overweight dogs, and dogs with thick or long coats.
- Dogs with heart or breathing problems.
- Young, bigger, active dogs. In the UK study, dogs under two and dogs over 10 kg were more likely to overheat during exercise. Working breeds like Kelpies and Border Collies often won't stop by themselves, so you have to call the break for them.
Know the signs
Possible heatstroke: act now
- heavy, frantic panting that doesn't settle in the shade
- drooling, very red or very pale gums, a bright red tongue
- restlessness, or the opposite: weak and flat
- staggering, confusion, vomiting or diarrhoea
- muscle tremors, seizures or collapse
What to do if your dog overheats
- Cool first. Get them into the shade or air-con. Pour or spray plenty of cool tap water over their fur and skin, and keep the water coming.
- Add airflow. Fan them, or put them in front of a fan or the car's air-con while you wet them. Moving air is what makes the water work.
- Skip the ice and the draped wet towel. RSPCA Australia warns that ice and ice-cold water can make things worse. Research from the UK found that a wet towel laid over a dog was far less effective than soaking with water plus airflow, and it can trap heat if it's left on.
- Offer small sips of water if they're alert and want to drink. Don't force it.
- Then go straight to the vet, even if they seem better. Heatstroke can damage organs in ways you can't see. Ring ahead so they're ready for you.
Prevention: the summer habits
Walk early or late
On hot days, walk first thing in the morning or later in the evening when it's cooler. On a truly hot day, it's fine to skip the walk and play a calm game inside instead.
The back-of-hand test
Press the back of your hand on the footpath, road or sand. If you can't hold it there for more than a few seconds, it's too hot for paws. Stick to grass and shade, or wait until later.
Never in a parked car
Not even for a quick dash into the shops. RSPCA WA says that on a mild 22°C day, the inside of a parked car can pass 47°C within minutes. Parking in the shade or leaving the windows down barely helps.
Watch the ute tray
A metal tray in the sun can overheat a dog and burn their paws. If your dog travels on the back, give them shade and a mat, or bring them up front.
Shade, water and airflow at home
- Leave more than one bowl of fresh water, in case one gets knocked over.
- Make sure their outdoor spot has shade all day and good airflow. Panting needs moving air to work.
- On hot, humid days, bring them inside if it's cooler indoors.
Sun protection
White-haired dogs and dogs with pink noses and ears can get sunburnt in the Australian sun. Keep them in the shade during the middle of the day, and ask your vet about a pet-safe sunscreen.
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Midday walk on a 32°C day | Early morning walk on grass |
| Fetch until they drop | Short sessions with breaks in the shade |
| Waiting in the car | At home, in the cool |
| Hot footpath or sand | Grass, shade, or later in the day |
The bottom line
Most heatstroke happens on walks and during play, so plan your day around the heat. If your dog overheats, cool them first with water and moving air, then get them to the vet.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. In an emergency, call your vet or the nearest after-hours animal hospital.
Sources
- RSPCA Australia. Keeping your pet safe during the heat. 2021.
- RSPCA Australia. Warm weather worries: protect your pets from heatstroke.
- RSPCA WA. High temps prompt dogs in hot cars warning. 2024.
- Hall EJ, Carter AJ, O'Neill DG. Dogs don't die just in hot cars: exertional heat-related illness (heatstroke) is a greater threat to UK dogs. Animals, 2020.
- RCVS Knowledge. Cooling methods used to manage heat-related illness in dogs presented to primary care veterinary practices during 2016–2018 in the UK.
