Veterinarian warns: cool dogs gradually but quickly in heatstroke

Heatstroke is a severe threat to dogs, with only 50% of affected canines surviving, according to the Colegio de Veterinarios de Madrid, and death can occur in as little as 15 minutes Source: Clarin. Veterinarian María Vetican, in a viral TikTok video, explains that dogs cannot regulate temperature through sweating; they rely on panting, which is inefficient. In high temperatures, a dog's body temperature can rise from 37°C to a dangerous 41°C Source: La Vanguardia.

Symptoms and first aid

Vetican advises owners to watch for heavy panting, thick saliva, or loss of balance. If these occur, she recommends cooling the dog gradually but quickly: move it to a shaded or ventilated area, avoid giving large amounts of water at once, and wet the body progressively, starting with the belly and paws—but not using towels. Finally, a veterinary check is essential to assess potential organ damage Source: Clarin.

Scientific backing

A 2024 UK study, Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022, analyzed over 160,000 dog hospital admissions. Only 384 (0.23%) were heat-related, but these had a mortality rate of 26.56% Source: La Vanguardia.

Expert agreement

Veterinarian Víctor Algra, via Instagram, also warns against wrapping dogs in wet towels, as this can trap heat and prevent proper cooling. Both experts stress that dogs are not adapted to increasingly hot summers, a trend exacerbated by climate change Source: Clarin.