How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Pets

For pets that are sensitive to heat, the steamy summer months are not only uncomfortable, they are also the time when the risk of fatal heatstroke is highest. Thousands of pets die needlessly every summer from over-exposure to heat.

Heatstroke is an emergency that needs medical attention as soon as possible. Even before you take your pet to the vet, however, you need to start cooling her body down by putting her in a tub of cool water, for example, or by applying wet towels or ice packs to her body, says Susan G. Synn, D.V. M., a veterinarian in Atlanta. When you are in the car, turn the air conditioner on high and get to the vet as quickly as you can.

Here are six tips from veterinarians for homeopathic, flower essence, and other supplements to help reduce stress in overheated pets.

The Signs

Your pet pants a lot even when the temperature is cool.

She appears tired during the warm months.

Her gums are suddenly bright red.

The Cause
Dogs and cats don’t take off their coats in warm weather, and they don’t sweat like people do. (An exception is the nearly hairless Sphynx cat, which sweats so much that it needs to be toweled off every day.) Pets pant in order to dispel heat, but it isn’t a very efficient system; they naturally run a little on the warm side. and some pets, such as those with dark, heavy coats, are much more susceptible to heat than others.

Veterinarians worry when pets seem unusually warm, because overheating may be a symptom of underlying problems. A dog who can’t walk half a block without overheating may have a heart problem or be overweight.

You will want to see your vet right away if your pet is suddenly panting much more than usual. The chances are good, however, that she just can’t stand the heat. Here are a few ways to keep her a little cooler:

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Read more: Cats, Dogs, Pets, Remedies & Treatments, Safety

Adapted from New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, by Amy D. Shojai.Copyright (c) 1999. Reprinted by permission of Rodale Press.
Adapted from New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, by Amy D. Shojai.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Regina P.

11:45AM PDT on Sep 4, 2011

Thanks for info., What amazes me is when people leave their pets in the car....

send a green star

Eternal G.

8:18PM PDT on Aug 22, 2011

Bookmarked! btw rescue remedy is magnificent!

Beverly C.

6:16PM PDT on Jul 26, 2011

VERY GOOD TIPS FOR PET PARENTS and all those who come in contact with pets.

Franco D.

5:50AM PDT on Jul 26, 2011

Thanks for this article today. My air conditioning went out yesterday and we don't know when the company will be able to replace the compressor. I have two old fur balls here and worried about keeping them cool until the replacements are completed.This should help. Wish I could get them to go in the pool but they just won't.

Terrie Lynn B.

6:55PM PDT on Jul 25, 2011

Having a somewhat chubby Maine Coon female cat with a very long and dense coat, I froze a bottle of water and would gently roll it all over her when she felt hot to the touch. She loved and it certainly helped to cool her down, especially since we don't have air conditioning.. So anyone with a long haired cat or dog may want to consider trying this as well...if the animal will tolerate it.

Lillian M.

4:19PM PDT on Jul 25, 2011

If it's too hot for me, it's too hot for my pets.

DeRae S.

2:15AM PDT on Jul 25, 2011

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION.

Cindy P.

6:34PM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

a VERY HELPFUL article, thanks!

Val G.

1:02PM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

A much needed article with this heat wave!

Very informative. I did the wet towels with my cats last thursday.

Also, since I thought they did not drink enough, I mixed water with some wet food. They seamed to appreciate!

I was surprised to read about Gatorade, but I will maybe give it a try, next time!!!

Thank you Melissa :)

Judith H.

11:29AM PDT on Jul 24, 2011

I put my rescue dog Scooby down after the first small heat wave we had. He had heartworms when I rescued him, was told that even though we treated them and got rid of them, the damage to his heart would always be a concern. Unfortunately, summer before last he started to get fluid around his heart. I chose to monitor it and let him live as long as possible. A year and a half after the problem came to be, came the first hot days of summer. He panted hard and fast, but I knew after getting him to an air conditioned room that eventually he would succumb to it this summer, he was still having trouble after getting cooled down. He would get over-heated just going outside to potty. So, I elected to have him put to sleep rather than have him suffer, this wasn't something that he could get better from. I miss him. Sarah Lee, my other rescue, misses him greatly. But I know that even though it hurt, it was the right thing to do. Scooby lived a healthy 5 years after his treatment for heartworms, living to be 11 yrs old (he was a lab/retriever mix). I guess what I'm trying to say here is, that if your dog has health problems that the heat will exasperate, don't let them suffer thru it. Scooby..I miss and love you forever, R.I.P.