Heatstroke Prevention in Pets: How to Keep Your Pet Safe as Temperatures Rise
As temperatures swell to the 80s and 90s here in San Antonio, it's important to make sure you know the risk of heatstroke in pets. Heatstroke is a serious and potentially fatal condition that can happen within minutes in hot weather.
Combined with the risk of dehydration in pets, there's a lot to think about when it comes to summer pet safety. Today, the team at Borgfeld Animal Hospital will highlight what heatstroke is and how to prevent it.
What is Heatstroke in Pets?
Heatstroke is when a pet's body temperature gets too high due to exposure to excessive heat.
Unlike humans, pets can't sweat much. They have to pant to cool down instead. But in extreme heat, panting can't cool them down efficiently enough. This leads to dangerously high body temperatures—aka, heatstroke.
Without rapid treatment, heatstroke can cause organ failure, seizures, and even death.
What Causes Heatstroke in Pets?
Heatstroke can happen anywhere, but hot cars are one of the leading causes of heatstroke-related deaths in pets.
Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes. According to data pulled by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), on a 70°F day, the inside of a car can reach 89°F (32°C) in 10 minutes. It can soar to over 100°F in 30 minutes.
On hotter days, temperatures can swell past 120°F even with the windows cracked. One of the simplest ways to avoid heatstroke is to never, ever leave a pet by herself in the car.
Other situations that cause heatstroke in pets include exercising on hot days, spending time outside without shade or water, and being outside during days with high humidity.
Avoid these risky situations by keeping your pet indoors during midday (the hottest part of the day) and offering plenty of water and shade in outdoor areas. You don’t have to stop exercising with your pet—just move the routine to the early morning or late evening when temperatures have cooled off!
Signs of Heatstroke in Pets
If you know the early symptoms of heatstroke in pets, you have a better chance of being able to save your pet's life. Warning signs include:
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Red or pale gums
- Weakness or sudden collapse
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
- Confusion
- Seizures
If your pet shows any of these signs, move them to a cool place immediately, offer water, and contact your family vet or the closest emergency veterinarian.
Pet parents local to San Antonio and the surrounding area can work with the compassionate team at Borgfeld Animal Hospital for preventive care, and we can also guide our patients through crises like heatstroke. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your furry family member!