First aid for heatstroke
First aid
- Move your pet indoors to a cool room or into the shade
- Cool them down straight away
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- Gently pour cold water (water from the cold tap is fine) over their whole body
- Avoid their nose and mouth
- Go slowly so they don’t panic
- Aim to soak their whole body
- Be very careful not to stress them out if they aren’t used to water, i.e. rabbits, small rodents, and most cats
- If they are unconscious, be extra careful they don’t inhale any water by keeping it away from their nose and mouth
- Create a breeze (use a fan, air-con, or open doors and windows)
- Offer them a drink of cold water (don’t force them to drink)
- Put them on top of a cold wet towel
- Wrap an ice pack or some frozen veg in a towel and place it in between their thighs (if they are small, place them on top of it)
- Don’t cuddle them or cover them with a wet towel, as this will make them hotter
- Gently pour cold water (water from the cold tap is fine) over their whole body
- Call your vet as soon as possible
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- Ideally go to your nearest vets
- Transport them in an air-conditioned car or a car with the windows open (but make sure they can’t escape)
- If possible bring someone with you to keep cooling them while you travel
Updated: September 2023
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Sign up to our e-newsletterWritten by vets and vet nurses. This advice is for UK pets only. Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst.