06/15/2026
There’s a heat advisory today, so we need to talk about keeping our dogs safe from heat stroke. Please be careful out there! This is what we teach our dog walkers. Please share!☀️🐶
Heat stroke in dogs is a severe medical emergency that can be fatal if not treated immediately. Miami’s weather makes this an imminent issue for all of us dog parents. Please read, save, and share with your fellow pet parents.
𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
☀️Being left in a hot car, even with windows down
☀️Exercising in hot weather without breaks, shade, or water
☀️Being exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time
☀️Being left outdoors without water/not drinking enough water
☀️Having a medical condition that makes it difficult to regulate body temperature
☀️Short-nosed breeds, seniors, puppies, and darker dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke.
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
❗️Uncontrollable panting
❗️Foaming
❗️Glazed eyes
❗️Bright red gums
❗️Vomiting
❗️Diarrhea
❗️Loss of coordination
❗️Seizures
❗️Collapse
If you see any of these signs, you need to act quickly to cool your pet down and take them to the vet immediately. Your ultimate goal is to cool them down on the way to your veterinarian.
S𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧:
✅Get them out of the heat and into a cool, well-ventilated place.
✅Cool your pet down with whatever you have available. A hose works great, as does putting them in the shallow end of your pool. Never use ice.
✅Give them water if they can drink- again, no
ice.
✅Get them into a car with AC until they’re at the vet.
✅Continue to cool until your pet stops panting on your way to the vet or emergency animal clinic.
This is a life-threatening emergency, and your vet will typically treat them for shock. Heat stroke is preventable, and with prompt treatment, dogs who suffer from heat stroke can make a full recovery. However, heat stroke can be fatal if not treated quickly. By following the tips in this post, you can help keep your dog safe and healthy during the hot summer months.
