Europe's Heatwave Problem and Your Dog
European summers have become measurably more dangerous for both people and pets. The 2003 heatwave — which killed an estimated 70,000 people across Europe — was once considered a once-in-a-generation event. By 2019 and again in 2022, temperature records were broken across France, Spain, Portugal, the UK, and Germany, with the Iberian Peninsula recording temperatures above 47°C during the 2022 event. Climate scientists warn that extreme heat events previously considered rare will occur every few years by mid-century.
For dog owners across the EU — from the Mediterranean coast to central Europe — this changing climate means heatstroke is no longer a freak occurrence. It is a predictable, seasonal risk that requires active prevention.
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?
Any dog can develop heatstroke, but certain factors significantly increase risk:
- Brachycephalic breeds: Dogs with flat faces — Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boston Terriers, Boxers — have anatomically narrowed airways that make efficient panting (the dog's primary cooling mechanism) much less effective. These breeds are at serious risk even in moderately warm conditions and should be treated with extra caution in summer.
- Overweight and obese dogs: Body fat acts as insulation and increases the effort required for any physical activity. An overweight dog generates more heat and dissipates it less efficiently.
- Dark or dense coats: Dark fur absorbs solar radiation. Dogs with thick, dark coats — such as black Labradors or Newfoundlands — are at greater risk during direct sun exposure than dogs with lighter, thinner coats.
- Old or young dogs: Puppies and senior dogs have less efficient thermoregulatory systems and tire more quickly.
- Dogs with underlying health conditions: Heart disease, respiratory conditions, laryngeal paralysis, and certain medications can all impair a dog's ability to cool itself.
Recognising the Symptoms of Heatstroke
Heatstroke develops rapidly. Body temperature in a healthy dog is normally between 38°C and 39.2°C. At 40°C, the dog is at serious risk; above 41°C, organ damage begins; above 43°C, the condition is often fatal. Learn to spot the early warning signs before progression to collapse:
- Excessive, laboured panting — much louder and more frantic than normal
- Hypersalivation — thick, ropy drool in large amounts
- Bright red or dark red gums (normal gums are a healthy salmon pink)
- Rapid heart rate and visible distress
- Staggering, loss of coordination, or confusion
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, sometimes bloody
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
If you observe any of these signs, treat the situation as an emergency. Heatstroke can cause irreversible kidney failure, brain damage, and death within minutes to hours without intervention.
First Aid: What to Do
The goal of first aid is to begin controlled cooling and get the dog to a vet as fast as possible. Act calmly and methodically:
- Move the dog to shade or indoors immediately. Get them out of direct sunlight and into the coolest environment available.
- Apply cool — not cold — water. Use tap water at a comfortably cool temperature. Wet towels applied to the neck, armpits, groin, and paw pads are effective. You can also pour cool water gently over the body.
- Use airflow. A fan directed at the wet dog greatly accelerates evaporative cooling.
- Offer small amounts of cool water to drink if the dog is conscious and able to swallow, but do not force it.
- Transport to the vet immediately. Continue cooling during transit. Keep the car air conditioning running and windows open slightly.
What NOT to Do
Equally important is knowing what to avoid — well-intentioned but incorrect first aid can make heatstroke worse:
- Do not use ice or ice-cold water. This is critical. Extremely cold water causes peripheral vasoconstriction — the blood vessels near the skin contract to protect the body's core from the cold, which paradoxically traps heat inside the body rather than releasing it. Ice packs applied directly to skin can also cause cold burns.
- Do not cover the dog with wet towels and leave them. A wet towel that is not actively being replaced traps heat rather than dissipating it. Remove or fan the towel continuously.
- Do not wait to see if the dog improves on its own. Heatstroke causes internal damage that may not be immediately visible. Even a dog that appears to recover quickly needs veterinary assessment for organ damage.
Prevention: Keeping Your Dog Safe in European Summers
The most effective treatment for heatstroke is ensuring it never happens. The following measures are particularly relevant to EU pet owners during heatwave conditions:
Walk Timing
During warm months, walk your dog in the early morning (before 9am) or late evening (after 8pm) when pavement temperatures are safe. Asphalt can reach 60°C on hot days — apply the back-of-hand test: if you cannot hold your hand to the pavement for five seconds comfortably, it is too hot for your dog's paws. ESCCAP (European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites) guidelines on companion animal welfare in changing climate conditions also emphasise adjusting outdoor activity timing during heatwaves.
Never Leave a Dog in a Parked Car
Even on a mild 20°C day, the inside of a car can reach 47°C within an hour. Leaving a dog in a car — even with windows cracked, even in the shade — is both dangerous and illegal in several EU member states. In Spain, France, and Germany, leaving an animal in conditions that cause distress or harm carries criminal penalties.
Cooling Equipment
Cooling mats use gel or water-activated materials to draw heat from your dog's body — they require no electricity and can be left in a cool spot for your dog to choose when they want them. Paddling pools (shallow enough to be safe) allow dogs to stand in cool water and regulate their temperature naturally. Cooling bandanas and vests soaked in cool water provide additional options for dogs that need to be outdoors. Many of these products are available through pet retailers such as Zooplus, which offer delivery across Europe with a wide selection to suit different breeds and budgets.
Hydration
Ensure fresh, cool water is always available both indoors and outdoors. In extreme heat, consider placing ice cubes in the water bowl — while ice should not be applied directly to an overheating dog's skin, drinking water chilled with ice is safe and helps cool from the inside. Carry water and a portable bowl on every walk.
Indoor Cooling
On the hottest days, keep dogs indoors with shutters or blinds closed on sun-facing windows. Air conditioning, fans, and cool tiled floors all help. If your home gets very hot, identify the coolest room — often a north-facing ground-floor room — and set it up as your dog's retreat.
After a Heatstroke Episode
A dog that has experienced heatstroke requires veterinary monitoring for at least 24–48 hours. Blood tests to assess kidney function and clotting are standard. Some dogs develop delayed complications — including kidney failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation — in the days following an episode. With prompt first aid and treatment, many dogs recover fully, but early and correct intervention is everything. As European summers grow warmer, understanding heatstroke risk is simply part of responsible dog ownership.