Health · July 9, 2026 · 8 min read
Extreme heat: heatstroke signs in dogs and cats before it is too late
In Mexico, hot seasons require changes to walks, transportation, and stays. Recognizing intense panting, weakness, or gum color changes can prevent an emergency.
What matters
- Avoid walks during peak heat and check pavement temperature.
- Fresh water, shade, and ventilation should be available all day.
- Heavy panting, weakness, vomiting, or disorientation require veterinary attention.
- Never leave pets inside a car, even for a few minutes.
UNAM has shared recommendations to protect pets from heat. Dogs and cats do not release heat like people do, and they can decline quickly when sun, enclosure, humidity, intense exercise, or low water availability combine.
The first adjustment is timing. Walks should happen early or later in the day, once pavement is cooler. If the ground is uncomfortable for your hand, it can hurt paws. Brachycephalic, senior, overweight, cardiac, and young animals need extra care.
Warning signs include intense panting, drooling, very red or purple tongue, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, tremors, or collapse. Do not wait for it to pass. Move the pet to a cooler place, offer water without forcing, and contact a veterinarian.
Transportation and services also matter. A safe stay in hot weather needs shade, ventilation, available water, rest, and monitoring. Intense play should alternate with breaks because an excited dog may keep running after its body is already stressed.
Villa CanInna recommends telling the team about past heatstroke, breathing problems, or low exercise tolerance. That information helps adjust patios, breaks, and activity schedules.
Real source
Adapted from Gaceta UNAM recommendations for protecting pets during hot weather.
Gaceta UNAM
