what to do if you think your dog has a heat stroke

I sprinted to my friend’s yard last Saturday when she yelled—her 4-year-old Pug, Daisy, was lying on the concrete, tongue hanging out, and her gums looked bright purple. “I think she has heat stroke—what do I do?” my friend screamed, tears in her eyes. If you’re a new U.S. dog owner facing this crisis, heat stroke is a life-or-death emergency—but staying calm and following clear steps can save your pup. Dogs can’t cool down like humans (they only sweat through paw pads and pant), so their bodies overheat fast, especially flat-faced breeds like Pugs or in hot, humid weather.

To understand why speed matters: Heat stroke happens when a dog’s temperature climbs above 104°F (normal is 101–102.5°F). At this point, their organs (brain, kidneys, liver) start shutting down within minutes. Daisy’s temp hit 105°F—her vet later said every second we wasted would’ve increased her risk of permanent damage. Unlike mild overheating (which eases with shade and water), heat stroke needs targeted, immediate action to lower their temp safely.

Here’s what to do if you think your dog has a heat stroke, step by step: First, move them to a cool space right now. If you’re outside, get them into an air-conditioned car or building—never leave them in a parked car (even with windows cracked, temps hit 120°F in 10 minutes). We carried Daisy into my friend’s apartment, turned the AC to 68°F, and laid her on a tile floor (tiles stay cool). Second, cool their body gently—never use ice or cold water (it shocks their system and stops blood flow to organs). Use cool (not cold) water to wet their paw pads, belly, and armpits, or wrap them in a damp, cool towel. We soaked a towel in lukewarm water and draped it over Daisy’s back, rewetting it every 2 minutes. Third, offer small sips of water—don’t force them to drink (they could choke or vomit). Daisy lapped up tiny amounts from a spoon, which helped hydrate her without stress. Fourth, call your vet while you’re cooling them. Even if they seem better, heat stroke causes hidden damage (like kidney issues) that shows up later. We called Daisy’s vet, who told us to bring her in immediately—they gave her IV fluids to flush toxins and monitored her organs.

For apartment living, keep a “heat emergency kit” handy: cool towels, a spray bottle with water, and your vet’s after-hours number. When walking, go early morning or evening (temps below 80°F), carry water for your pup, and avoid asphalt (test it with your hand—if it’s too hot for you, it burns their paws). Always bring poop bags (cities like Houston fine $150 for leaving messes) and cut walks short if your dog pants heavily or slows down. Never scold your dog for lying down or resisting—these are signs they’re overheating, not being stubborn, and punishment violates U.S. animal welfare standards. Keep their rabies vaccine up to date (required nationwide)—vet visits are a good time to ask about breed-specific heat tips (like avoiding midday walks for flat-faced dogs).

Daisy recovered fully after a day at the vet, and my friend now checks the forecast before every walk. Heat stroke is terrifying, but knowing what to do turns panic into action—and saves lives.