Heatstroke in Dogs: A Dubai Pet Parent's Guide

If your pet is in distress right now, stop reading and call a vet. This article helps you recognise an emergency and act while you get help. It does not replace hands-on veterinary care.

Dubai's summer temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees Celsius. Ground surface temperatures can reach 70 degrees or higher. Your dog cannot sweat. They cool themselves almost entirely through panting and through the pads of their paws. In a UAE summer, that system is overwhelmed within minutes.

Heatstroke is not gradual. It can progress from early signs to organ failure in under 30 minutes. Understanding the risk factors, recognising the signs, and knowing what to do are not optional for dog owners in the UAE. They are essential.

Some dogs are at higher risk than others. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and Shih Tzus) have compromised airways that make cooling through panting less efficient. Overweight dogs, senior dogs, dogs with thick or dark coats, and dogs with existing heart or respiratory conditions are also at elevated risk. But any dog can suffer heatstroke in Dubai conditions.

The number one rule: never walk your dog between 10am and 5pm from May to September. This is non-negotiable. Early morning walks (before 8am) and late evening walks (after 7pm) are the only safe options during summer. Even then, test the pavement with the back of your hand. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it is too hot for paws.

Paw pad burns are a separate but related danger. Pavement, sand, and metal surfaces absorb and radiate heat. Burns can occur in under 60 seconds on hot surfaces. Symptoms include limping, licking paws, blistering, and discolouration of the pads. Protective booties can help, but many dogs resist them. The simpler solution is to avoid hot surfaces entirely.

Early signs of heatstroke include excessive panting that seems disproportionate to activity level, thick, ropy drool, and a bright red tongue and gums. The dog may seem restless or anxious. These are the warning signs. If you see them, stop all activity, move to shade or air conditioning, and begin cooling.

As heatstroke progresses, you may see vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhoea, staggering or disorientation, glazed eyes, and weakness. The gums may change from bright red to purple or grey. Collapse and seizures indicate severe, life-threatening heatstroke. At this point, organ damage may already be occurring.

If you suspect heatstroke, act immediately. The single most important thing you can do is start cooling before you set off for the vet: cool first, transport second. Move your dog into shade, air conditioning, or in front of a fan, and pour cool to cold water over the whole body, concentrating on the neck, armpits, and groin where blood vessels run close to the surface. Current veterinary evidence is clear that cool or cold water is safe and works fastest. The older advice to use only lukewarm water is out of date.

Place wet towels on the dog but change them frequently. A towel left in place becomes an insulating layer. Fan the dog if possible. Offer small amounts of cool (not cold) water to drink but do not force it. Transport to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately. Continue cooling during transport.

Prevention is everything. Keep fresh water available at all times, both indoors and outdoors. Provide shade and ventilation. Never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a minute, even with windows cracked. In a Dubai summer, car interior temperatures can exceed 70 degrees Celsius within 10 minutes. Consider a cooling mat or vest for walks. Monitor your dog closely for signs of discomfort.

At Paws and Co, heatstroke is one of the most common summer emergencies we treat. Most cases are entirely preventable. The dogs who come in with heatstroke were almost always walked at the wrong time of day, left in a car, or exercised too vigorously in the heat. Know the risks. Respect the climate. Your dog is relying on you to make the right call.

If your pet is in distress right now, stop reading and call a vet. This article helps you recognise an emergency and act while you get help. It does not replace hands-on veterinary care.