DOGS ARE FAMILY
BLOGS > DOGS > HEALTH
My Dog DlED SUDDENLY From Heat Exhaustion Last Week. Here's What The Vet Told Me.
by LISA MARTINS | Thursday, August 7 2025
The temperature was only 78°F that evening. I was giving her water from my bottle while we walked, like I always do. I thought I was being responsible. Until about halfway through our walk, Luna seemed fine, and then abruptly... she just wasn't.
At first, I thought she was just tired. But as she started panting more heavily, I realized something was very wrong with her. Once she started to overheat, she went downhill super fast. I dumped my bottle of cold water on her to cool her down, but it made no difference. She vomited shortly after that, and that's when I ran home to get the car. When I came back, she was unconscious. I'd say from the time she started looking bad to going unconscious was less than 12 minutes.
6 Things EVERY Dog Parent Should Know To SAVE Their Pup:
#1...Never walk when it's above 80°F Honestly, even 75°F with humidity can be deadly. Temperature isn't everything - humidity makes it exponentially worse. When it's 90°F with 80% humidity, it actually "feels like" 105°F according to heat index charts.
#2...Test the ground with your hand If it's too hot for you to hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds, it's too hot for their paws. When it's 75°F outside, sidewalks can hit 120°F+. When it's 95°F, those same surfaces can hit 150-160°F.
#3...Watch for excessive panting & gray tongue Excessive panting is obvious, but a grayish tongue instead of pink means you're already in the danger zone. At that point, you already need to stop and make sure everything is okay.
#4...Dogs can't sweat; they have a 'tipping point' They can only cool down through panting and tiny amounts through their paw pads. When dogs pant hard, the energy they use to pant actually creates more heat than they can release. It's basically a tipping point where they can't catch up. Try to never let them hit this point of excessive panting and cool them off immediately if they do.
#5...It happens faster than you think Things can go from "seems fine" to "something's wrong" in seconds. Be EXTRA vigilant, especially in the midst of record summer as it is now. As any owner knows, dogs will do their damn best to hide their pain. We are the ones who have to take precautions and stop them before it's too late.
#6...Make sure your dog isn't stressed from heat at home This was the only thing I overlooked and I'm devastated. This seems common sense and easy but most owners (including me) overlook it.
The Root Cause Behind Heat Exhaustion That 99% Miss
I mentioned before that prevention is the most important thing. But "prevention" is not just checking things 5 minutes before a walk. It goes way beyond that.
It's important that dogs aren't already starting to overwork their cooling system at home. If a dog is already stressed from sitting inside a hot house, even a mild walk can push them over the edge.
As the vet explained it, I realized this was probably what happened to Luna. My house has normal air conditioning, but nothing crazy. It had been warm inside all day - probably around 76-77°F. Not uncomfortable for me, but for a dog in a fur coat who can't sweat? Luna had likely been mildly overheated before we even left the house.
When dogs get hot at home, they start panting lightly to cool down. It's so normal we barely notice it. But that panting is actually work - it's their cooling system running.
"Think of it like this: If you spent all day doing exercise, then someone asked you to run a marathon, how would that go?"
That's what happens to dogs. They spend the day working their cooling system, and by the time they go for a walk, they're already nearing their 'tipping point'.
The tipping point is deadly. When dogs get hot during exercise, they have to pant harder and faster. Eventually, they reach a point where panting creates more heat than it removes. Once it crosses that line, it spirals out of control fast.
For a dog who's already been working to stay cool at home all day, that tipping point comes much sooner on a walk. It's just additional stress on their body.
Note: This is especially important for Senior Dogs since they have a harder time regulating their body temps and their organs already struggle with heat.
Looking back, I'd noticed Luna had already been sleeping on the floor instead of her bed throughout that week, but didn't think it was cause for alarm. I feel so stupid because it's a sign that she was already uncomfortable and stressed from the heat and needed help cooling off. I can't believe I didn't put two and two together. If I had taken action right then, she probably would've been okay.
A walk that should be perfectly safe can turn bad just from your pup's body being a few degrees higher, just a little more overworked.
After losing Luna, I started paying attention to what other dog parents were saying online. The stories were heartbreakingly similar.
"My lab is getting older and she started leaving her old spot on the bed for the uncomfortable floor in the middle of the night because I think the bed was too hot."
"He's been spending every day flat as a pancake on my cold kitchen tiles and hardwood floors."
"She needs a soft dog bed to rest her painful joints, but the bed makes her heat up quickly, so she's continually moving to the bed, to a cool, hard floor, struggling to get up, and panting all the time."
If you have cold tiles in your house, that can help, but please do be careful because dogs who spend hours lying on hard tiles or concrete to stay cool often develop joint problems over time. This is especially true for senior dogs who are already dealing with arthritis.
If Your Dog Is Already Doing This,They're Telling You Something
My Vet's 4 Recommendations For Your Dog
I consulted my vet over the weekend and I've researched everything I could find on the internet. Here are things you could do to prevent heat stress at home:
1. Kiddie Pools
A cheap & solid resource if you have a backyard and your dogs like water. Dogs can get some movement in while also cooling off a bit. Still have to watch them closely when they are outside. Good option for some but overall they're messy, can't be used inside, and probably aren't something your dog will run to for cooling off. Not very versatile.
2. Elevated Dog Beds
These mesh beds lift dogs off the ground and allow air to flow underneath. Another decent option but owners I talked to say that any good quality ones will run you over $150+. They do help with airflow and can help dogs relax but don't really provide direct cooling effect. This is one from K9 Ballistics ($150)
3. Fans
Better than nothing but fans don't cool dogs the way they cool us. We cool down through sweat evaporation; dogs primarily cool through panting and through their paw pads. A fan just moves hot air around. PLUS fans don't even work when it's 90°F (32°C), they actually only make you hotter! CDC Article On Fans
4. Dog Cooling Mats
My vet said these are usually the best option for dog owners. EXCEPT for GEL cooling mats. Stay away from those because if your dog accidentally ingests the gel inside, they can get poisoned. Even if they're "non-toxic," it's still gel and it's still dangerous.
From research I've seen that the best cooling mats are fabric ones that work similar to cooling blankets. They pull away heat from whatever is touching them, so they're always cooler than the environment and feel cold to the touch.
These will actually give your dogs cold relief and give them a chance to rest their body. Whenever they feel overheated, they can comfortably cool off on their own.
Since most of the ones on the market are gel, and I don't want anyone's dog being hurt, I'm going to link to the company my vet recommends which is from Pelsbarn.
CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW
Detailed Summary:
Never walk above 80°F - Even 75°F with humidity is dangerous
Test pavement temperature - Do the 5-second hand test before walks
Watch for gray tongue & excessive panting
Catch these signs early to save your pup:
1. Understand the tipping point
2. Panting can create more heat than it removes. It happens in seconds
3. They're fine until they're NOT
Keep them cool at home - Something like a cooling mat helps prevent heat stress
Dedicated to the Loving Memory of Luna.
I hope this article helps even one dog's life. I don't know if I'm the right person to be giving advice, but please help others avoid the same mistakes I made.
Comments and Reviews:
Carlos Rivera:
This company is amazing.
My dog naps all day on the cooling mat.
Amanda Foster
I'm literally crying reading this. I'm hugging my dog a little closer tonight. Thank you for sharing Luna's story Sarah, I know it must have been so hard to write this..
Michael Thompson
Fucking heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this, though. I had no idea how fast it could happen.
Jennifer Rodriguez
This just made me realize I've been making the same mistake. My lab pants so much on walks and I always thought "at least he's getting exercise." God I feel sick.
CURRENT OFFER: Buy 1, Get 1 Free
Keep one in the living room, one in the car or gift one to a fellow dog parent
CHOOSE COLOR AND SIZE
Don’t Let Your Dog Spend Another Day Overheated or Uncomfortable!
Order your Pelsbarn Cooling Mat now and watch your dog drift into pure bliss because every loyal companion deserves a cozy, refreshing place to rest, no matter where life takes you!
🔥 Remember: A comfortable, well-rested dog is a happy dog. And a happy dog means a happier home for all!
Premium Natural Cooling Mat
No gel - made with natural, non-toxic materials (safer than most Amazon mats)
4x thicker than standard mats - ultra - soft and pressure-relieving comfort
Instantly cools - works right out of the box without electricity, water, or refrigeration
Machine washable cover - easy to clean, built to last
Lightweight and portable - ideal for home, car, crate, or patio use
Vet-informed design - safe for older dogs, puppies, and those with joint issues
- Al seleccionar una opción, se actualiza toda la página.
- Se abre en una nueva ventana.