How to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

While summer can be a fantastic time of year for humans, it’s not always the most comfortable for furry pets – especially in heat waves.

Here at VetUK, our team of pet care experts understands just how worrying those hot days can be for pet owners. That’s why we’ve created this informative guide to help you understand how to keep dogs cool in the summer.

Just a few simple changes, like knowing when to walk them safely and investing in some dog cooling products, can stop heatstroke from striking.

Why is hot weather so dangerous for dogs?

When the weather warms up, we take off layers of clothing, turn on fans, drink more and eat cold treats like lollies. But what can dogs do? They mainly lose heat through panting and can only sweat through their paws. When extreme weather strikes, this often simply isn’t enough to keep them at a normal body temperature.

If you can’t stop your dog’s temperature from rising too high, the frightening reality is that they could be at risk of heatstroke.

What is heatstroke?

Heatstroke happens when a dog’s body temperature rises too high and they can’t cool themselves down. This elevated internal temperature starts with symptoms like lethargy and confusion. If it isn’t rapidly addressed it gets progressively worse, and can lead to organ damage and death.

That’s why taking measures to prevent it from happening is so crucial.

Some dogs are at higher risk

If your dog is one of a specific list of breeds or has certain features, they’re more likely to be vulnerable to overheating.

Flat-faced breeds – This means breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Boxers. Their shortened airways make panting to lose heat much less effective.
Dogs with thick, double coats – Breeds like German Shepherds and Huskies are bred for cold climates. Their double-layered coats trap warm air close to their skin, which is ideal in winter, but not in summer.
Large dogs over 50kg – Bigger bodies generate more heat and have relatively less surface area to lose that heat. That makes them less effective at cooling down.
Overweight dogs – Any dog, not just large breeds, is at higher risk of heatstroke if they’re overweight. One of the reasons for this is that the layer of extra fat insulates the body, trapping in heat.
Elderly dogs or those with health conditions – Any pets with health conditions, but especially heart and lung conditions, are more likely to struggle with the extra stress from hot weather.
Very young puppies – Puppies don’t develop their ability to regulate their temperature until they’re older, so their environment can significantly impact their body temperature.

All dogs are at risk in high temperatures but if your dog falls into any of these categories, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep them from getting too hot.

Top ways to keep your dogs cool in summer

Let’s get into exactly what you can do to help keep your dog at a comfortable temperature.

Keep them hydrated

It’s never more important for your dog to have ready access to a supply of clean water than in the heat. Panting to keep cool means they will lose more water than normal so make sure they have multiple water bowls around your home. If your dog likes spending time outside, it could be worth putting a bowl outside too in a shady area to keep it as cool as possible and to make sure your dog stays out of the sun when they need a drink.

Adding ice cubes to their water can be an extra refreshing way to keep your dog cool this summer.

If you’re concerned that your dog isn’t staying hydrated, there are some good tricks to try. A popular one is to freeze a mixture of yoghurt and water with some high value treats frozen into it. The idea is that they are incentivised to lick their way to the treats, taking in hydration while they stay entertained. Clever, right?

Remember to bring water for both of you, if you have to go out, too. A collapsible water bowl is a great way of giving them a drink while out and about.

Limit exercise

The British Vet Association’s study into the causes of heatstroke in dogs is one of the largest of its kind, analysing over 900,000 anonymised clinical pet records. One of the biggest revelations was that hot weather alone is not the biggest cause of heatstroke in dogs. In fact, it only accounted for 13% of heatstroke.

74% of cases of heatstroke were triggered by the lethal combination of exercise and hot weather together. This includes any kind of high-energy exertion, like energetic play, running or chasing a ball, as well as a normal walk.

It makes sense when you think about it. If your dog is already struggling to lose heat from their body because of the temperature, you don’t want to do anything to raise their internal body temperature – like exercise.

Remember, it’s better for them to miss a walk in hot weather than risk them getting heatstroke.

But how do you know when it’s too hot to exercise your dog?

Bear this red, amber and green system in mind if you’re unsure if it’s safe to take them out.

Green: 16°C – 19°C:	This temperature range is generally agreed to be safe to walk your dog in.
Amber: 20°C – 23°C	This temperature range starts to present risks to your dog. They might need to go a bit slower and drink more water. As the temperature rises, consider reducing the length of the walk and limiting high-intensity play like fetch. If your dog is at higher risk, consider staying at home.
Red: 24°C+	Any temperature above 24+ is considered to be unsafe to walk your dog in. Keep them at home instead.

Change where & when you walk

Finding a safe time to walk your dog might mean waking up a bit earlier to walk your dog before 7 am in the cool of the morning, or in the evening after 8 pm, or even skipping your walk completely some days.

It’s also a good idea to stick to shady routes, like woodland walks, where they aren’t directly exposed to the sun. If your route has any paved part, make sure you do the pavement test.

This is where you put your own hand onto the pavement and see if you can comfortably hold it there for 5 seconds to tell whether it’s a suitable temperature for your dog’s paws. You might be surprised at how much hotter the pavement can get than the air temperature.

Create cool spaces at home

Make sure your pooch has some dedicated spaces to cool down inside your home. Here are some tips to make it a refuge from the heat for both you and your pets:

You might be tempted to open the window to let in a breeze. In most cases, you’re just letting in warm air. Open windows at night instead to let the cool air in or hang a damp sheet in front of the window to cool the air coming in.
Keep your curtains closed during the day to stop rooms from warming up.
Invest in some fans and place them strategically in the rooms you use the most. In extra sticky weather, you can place a bowl of ice in front of them for a homemade air conditioning system.
If you have a room with stone or tile floors, make sure your pets have access to them as they’ll be cooler to lie on than carpet or wood.

Stay car safe

You might be tempted to leave your dog in the car while you quickly nip out for something. This is far more dangerous than you might realise. In hot weather, cars can rapidly become fatally hot – even in mere minutes or with the window cracked. Never leave your dog in the car in warm weather.

Invest in cooling products

There are some innovative new products to explore that can make a really big difference in keeping your dog comfortable. We’ll run you through the most popular ones to consider.

Cooling mats – These mats are filled with gel that stays 5 to 10 degrees cooler than room temperature, making them a refreshing spot for your dog to lie down on.

Paddling pools – If your dog loves water, there’s nothing better than watching them splash around in a shallow paddling pool. Fill it up with cool water (not freezing cold) and pop some floating toys in to encourage them in.

Cooling coats and bandanas – Get science on your dog’s side with wearable cooling products. They work by using water-activated fabric that draws heat away from your dog’s body.

Frozen treats – Filling Kong toys with treats and freezing them is an old favourite technique for keeping dogs cool in summer. You could even fill them with some salt-free frozen chicken stock to give them some relief as well as a nice treat. Think of it like a dog-safe ice lolly.

Give them a summer groom

If you have a long-haired breed, you’ll want to stay on top of their grooming more than ever when it gets hot. Make sure they’re regularly brushed and trimmed to remove excess hair as well as any trapped between coat layers, keeping heat in.

However, don’t be tempted to fully shave them! Their fur protects their bodies from getting sunburn.

Know the signs of overheating

Keep your eyes peeled for these signs that you need to act urgently, because your dog is getting too warm. Here are the key warning signs.

The early signs:

These signs let you know that your dogs are getting too hot and you need to take action to cool them down, for example, by wetting their coat, taking them somewhere cooler and using cooling products.

Panting heavily, but not because of exercise
Becoming lethargic and not wanting to move
Drooling a lot more than usual
Seeking out cold surfaces to lie on

The serious signs:

If you spot any of these signs, your dog could be dangerously overheated and suffering from heatstroke.

Being sick or having diarrhoea
Bright red or purple gums
Showing confusion or getting disoriented
Struggling to walk in a straight line
Collapsing or losing consciousness

If you see any of these signs, contact your vet immediately to get your dog urgent care and wet their coat as soon as possible. When left untreated, heatstroke kills.

Need more pet advice? VetUK are here to help

Check out more guides and tips from our resources centre. Our expert team of vets, vet nurses and pet product specialists are dedicated to giving owners clarity on how best to care for their pets. Find help on all kinds of pet care topics, from nutrition to healthcare concerns. That way, you’re never left in the dark.

Have a feline friend, not a canine one? Read our guide on keeping your cat cool in summer to get specialised advice.