Dog heat stroke: the signs and how to cool a dog down

If your dog reads above 104 F, or is panting hard and stumbling in the heat, start cooling now. Move it to shade and run cool water over the belly and trunk. Stop at 103.5 to 104 F, or after 15 minutes without a thermometer, then go straight to the vet.

Written by Justin Alcalde, AHA and American Red Cross instructor, CPR West Covina · Reviewed September 27, 2026

Read the video transcript

Cool a dog with heat stroke. Step 1. Shade, then cool running water on the belly. Step 2. Stop at 103.5 to 104 F, or after 15 minutes. Step 3. Pat dry, then the vet, even if your dog seems fine.

Shade, then cool running water on the belly
Stop at 103.5 to 104 F, or after 15 minutes
Pat dry, then the vet, even if your dog seems fine

What are the signs of heat stroke in dogs?

Heat illness tends to build in stages. The early signs are easy to miss on a walk or at the park. Catch them early and you can often cool your dog before it becomes heat stroke.

Stage	What you may see	What to do
Early heat illness	Constant panting that does not settle, suddenly not wanting to play or keep walking, lying down mid walk, a restless or anxious look, heavy drooling	Stop the activity, get to shade, watch closely. Start cooling if the signs do not ease
Severe, likely heat stroke	Stumbling or wobbly legs, seems confused, vomiting or diarrhea that can be bloody, very red gums, collapse	Start cooling now, then go straight to the vet

Signs from the RECOVER First Aid Guidelines 2026 and the American Red Cross.

A thermometer is the only way to know for sure. Without one, treat the severe signs as heat stroke and start cooling.

What temperature is too hot for a dog?

Rectal reading	What it means	What to do
101 to 102.5 F	Normal for a resting adult dog	Nothing, keep an eye on the signs
Above 102.5 F, up to 104 F	Above normal	Shade and rest. Start cooling if the severe signs above are showing
Above 104 F	The point where the Red Cross says to start cooling	Start active cooling now
Above 105.8 F with confusion, stumbling or collapse	Heat stroke, as RECOVER 2026 defines it	Keep cooling, have someone call the vet
103.5 to 104 F, while cooling	Target reached	Stop active cooling, pat dry, go to the vet

Normal range: Merck Veterinary Manual. Start above 104 F: American Red Cross. Heat stroke definition and stop point: RECOVER First Aid Guidelines 2026.

How do I cool my dog down?

Move to shade or indoors
Out of the sun, into the coolest spot you can reach.
Run cool water over the body
Hose or tap, over the trunk behind the neck, kept running.
Soak the belly to the skin
The fur is thinnest there, so the water works best.
Keep water off the face
Stay behind the neck, safer for your dog and for you.
Add moving air
A fan helps the wet coat shed heat faster.
Check the temperature often
Stop at 103.5 to 104 F, or after 15 minutes without a thermometer.
Pat dry, go to the vet
Call ahead so the team is ready when you walk in.

Cool first, then drive. RECOVER 2026 recommends cooling on the spot before the trip, because time spent hot is part of what does the damage. The exception is when cooling would put you at real risk.

Should I use ice water or wet towels on an overheated dog?

Running water beats a single soaking. RECOVER explains that still water can form a warm layer against the skin, which slows cooling. A wet towel that just sits on the body can trap heat the same way. Keep the hose running or keep pouring fresh water.

Do not cool only the paws. They are a small area with thick pads, and RECOVER does not recommend paw only cooling.

Ice is where the sources disagree. The Red Cross says not to put a dog in ice water, and the AKC warns that very cold water can cause shock. RECOVER 2026 shows ice water from a cooler as one option and notes that human research does not report harm from cold water cooling. Plain cool water from a hose or tap is what every source agrees on, so start there.

When do I stop cooling my dog?

Stop active cooling at 103.5 to 104 F, even if your dog is still panting. Turn off the water, pat your dog dry and leave. The vet team takes it from there.

No thermometer? Cool for 15 minutes, then stop and go. That is the RECOVER 2026 rule for when you cannot take a temperature.

Dogs that snore, snort or rasp loudly while breathing are the exception, and flat-faced breeds are the usual example. A noisy airway can make it harder to shed heat. Keep cooling until the panting clearly eases, and stop by 101.5 F at the latest.

Get to the vet now if

Your dog needed cooling at all, even if it looks fine afterward. Effects of heat stroke, including kidney and nerve problems, can show up hours or even days later. Collapse, stumbling or vomiting means go now.

Can I leave my dog in a parked car for a few minutes?

No. The Red Cross notes that temperatures in parked cars can exceed 120 F, and cracked windows do not make it safe. RECOVER names vehicles, closets and garages as the most dangerous hot spaces, because they are poorly ventilated.

If your dog has to ride along on a hot day, go straight there and straight home. Plan stops where your dog can come inside with you.

Which dogs are more likely to get heat stroke?

Dog	Why the risk can be higher
Flat-faced breeds: pug, English bulldog, French bulldog	Dogs shed heat by panting, and a short, narrow airway can make that harder
Heavy or thick coats: husky, malamute, chow chow	More insulation. The Red Cross lists thick-coated dogs as a risk
Seniors	RECOVER links older age with a higher chance of heat illness
Overweight dogs	Higher body weight raises the odds, and obesity is linked with a lower chance of survival
Dogs with heart or lung disease, or a past heat stroke	Both appear on the Red Cross list of causes
Any dog on the first warm days of the year	Bodies may not have adjusted yet, and RECOVER notes cases often rise then

How do I keep my dog safe on hot days in the San Gabriel Valley?

Summers in West Covina and across the San Gabriel Valley run hot, and pavement soaks up that heat through the day. Walk early in the morning or late in the evening. Keep midday outings short and shady.

Before a walk, press the back of your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds. If you cannot hold it there, it is too hot for paws. That test comes from The Royal Kennel Club. Grass and shaded paths are kinder options.

Carry water for both of you and let your dog set the pace. A dog that slows down, lags behind or lies down on a walk is often telling you it has had enough. Before a long hike, put PetAid, our free pet first aid app, on your phone so the cooling steps come along too.

What changed in 2026 for cooling an overheated dog?

Older guides, including the Red Cross dog heat stroke page, lay cool wet towels on the head, neck, feet, chest and belly and cool to about 103 F. The RECOVER First Aid Guidelines 2026 use running water on the body behind the neck instead, and stop at 103.5 to 104 F.

RECOVER also added the 15 minute rule for owners with no thermometer, and a separate rule for noisy breathers. Where the two differ, follow the 2026 version.

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Dog walkers and pet sitters spend the same hot afternoons outside. We teach people first aid and CPR in person in West Covina: Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED.

Questions people ask

Can a dog get heat stroke on a mild or cloudy day?

Yes. RECOVER notes heat stroke during running, hiking, play and work even in moderate or cool weather. Exercise makes its own heat, so watch for the early signs on every hard outing.

Can I let my overheated dog drink?

The AKC suggests offering room temperature water only if your dog is alert and able to drink. Do not pour water into the mouth of a wobbly or collapsed dog, because it can go down the wrong way.

The garden hose has been sitting in the sun. Is that a problem?

It can be. Water left in a hose in the sun can come out hot. Run it until it feels cool on your wrist before it touches your dog.

How do I take my dog's temperature?

VCA suggests a digital rectal thermometer with petroleum jelly on the tip. Lay your dog on its side, slide the tip in gently and wait for the beep. If the muscle clamps tight, do not force it. A helper makes it easier.

Can I cool my dog in a lake, creek or kiddie pool?

Outdoors, RECOVER shows lowering the back half of the body into water as one option. Keep the head and neck well above the surface and support your dog the whole time. The same stop point and vet trip apply.

More pet first aid

This is first aid, not veterinary care. Get to a vet or an emergency animal hospital as soon as the steps are done.

Sources