How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer: Tips for Inside, Outside and on Walks
Cool off with our summer tips. Keep your furry friend cool all day with these top ideas. Inside, outside and when you head out into the summer sun.
It's hotting up, and we are loving the summer sun, but how do you keep your canine cool in hot weather?
While all dogs can struggle in the heat, some are at greater risk than others. Flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Bulldogs have compromised airways that make panting less efficient, meaning they overheat faster and with less warning. Senior dogs and overweight dogs are also more vulnerable, as their bodies are less able to regulate temperature effectively. If your dog falls into any of these categories, apply every tip in this guide with extra care and reduce outdoor activity more aggressively than you would for a healthy adult dog.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool Inside the House
You might be lucky enough to have air conditioning blasting cold air into your home, but if you're melting in the hot temperatures, here are some top tips to keep your dog cool inside your house.
Plenty of cold water to drink
It seems obvious, but make sure your dog has easy access to cold drinking water. Don't forget to top his water bowl up throughout the day.
Your dog is more likely to drink water if it's cold, so keep his bowl on a cool surface, like a tiled floor. You could add ice cubes or invest in a freezable bowl.
Get the air moving
Open windows and grab a fan. Dogs stay cool by panting. Moisture evaporates from their tongue and pads, cooling them and lowering their body temperature.
If the humidity is high, evaporation decreases, but moving the air around can help your dog stay cool.
A cool place to rest
A cold tiled floor is ideal for your hot dog to relax as the cool tiles will help them regulate their body temperature.
If you don't have a tiled floor, lay out a wet towel, or grab a special dog cooling mat from your local pet shop. These are particularly useful if your dog struggles with that mobility as lying on hard floors can be uncomfortable. A cooling mat on their bed is a comfy solution.
Shower off and have a trim
A cool shower will work wonders for your dog when it's really hotting up. Just make sure to avoid their head, and if you shower them regularly, don't use too much shampoo as it can cause skin irritation.
Keep your dog well groomed too. If your furry friend is, well, furry, head to the groomers for a trim. Even dogs that you wouldn't usually clip might appreciate a summer haircut.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool Outside in Summer
Find some shade in the summer heat
Put your dog's bed in a shady spot in your garden. Under the trees with a gentle breeze is perfect.
No shady trees? Grab a bedsheet and stretch it between two chairs as a makeshift shelter from the blazing sun.
Grab the hose
It's a bit of a love/hate thing with dogs. Some dogs love to play with the hose, while others dread the thought. If your dog is a lover, play with the hose and get them cooled off.
Other dogs might enjoy a dip in the pool. A proper swimming pool if you're lucky enough to have one (but rinse the chlorine off them). If not, a kiddie pool will do the trick!
Extra water bowls
Don't forget cool drinking water out here too. Keep their bowl in the shade, and make sure you keep it full with plenty of water throughout the day.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool on a Walk in Hot Weather
Plan your walk times
Dogs overheat quickly when exercising. Any air temperatures above 23°C can pose a risk to their health, so plan your walk times carefully. Take advantage of cooler temperatures in the early morning or late evenings and head out for a gentle stroll.
Check the pavement temperature before you go
Remember the rule of 7.
If you can't hold your hand flat on the pavement for 7 seconds, it's too hot for your pooch's paws.
When the air temperature is 28°C, the pavement can be over 50°C, which is hot enough to fry an egg! Don't fry your dog's feet on the hot surface of the road.
Think about your route
If you can avoid pavements, stick to grassy paths (but not artificial grass, as that gets hot). Head for the forest, or take a shady dog walk route. If you have to use the pavements, cross to the shady side of the road to keep your dog cool.
Go for a swim
Take your dog for a cool-off in your local lake or a splash about in a stream.
If your dog has joint health or mobility problems, take care on slippery surfaces. Read some summer safety tips from veterinary rehab specialist Dr Leilani Alvarez here.
If you are going for a swim with your dog, keep them on a lead afterwards, or keep their exercise short. They might feel refreshed after a dip in the cool water, but this can lead to them overexerting themselves.
Take drinking water
On hot summer days, never leave for a walk without water, for you and your dog. You can buy portable water bowls or special water bottles for dogs, but pouring water into your hand for them to lap up can work just as well.
Enjoy the sun with your pooch this summer.
Stay cool!
How to Tell If Your Dog Is Getting Too Hot
Heatstroke is the extreme end of overheating, but there are earlier warning signs that your dog is struggling with the heat before the situation becomes an emergency. Catching these early gives you time to act.
Signs your dog is getting too hot:
- Excessive panting that seems disproportionate to their level of activity
- Slowing down, lagging behind, or refusing to walk further
- Actively seeking shade or lying down mid-walk
- Drooling more than usual
- Glazed or unfocused eyes
- Restlessness or an inability to settle despite being in a cool spot
If you notice any of these signs, stop activity immediately. Move your dog to a shaded or cool area, offer small amounts of cool water, and wet their coat with cool (not cold) water, focusing on the neck, paws, and groin. If signs do not improve within a few minutes, contact your vet.
Frequently asked questions
-
How do I cool down a dog quickly?
Move your dog to a cool, shaded area away from direct sun, then start cooling straight away, the sooner the better. Use whatever water you have to hand, as long as it is cooler than your dog. For young, healthy dogs, immersion in cold water is the fastest and most effective method (always keep their head above the water). For older dogs, or dogs with breathing difficulties or underlying health conditions, pour cool water over them and combine it with air movement from a fan, a breeze, or air conditioning. Keep the coat wet and the air moving until their breathing begins to settle. You can offer small amounts of cool water to drink if your dog is conscious, but never force them. Contact your vet as soon as cooling is underway. Heatstroke needs urgent professional assessment even if your dog seems to recover.
-
What temperature is too hot for a dog in the UK?
As a general guideline, air temperatures above 20°C can pose a risk, particularly for flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, and seniors. Above 25°C, the risk increases significantly for all dogs. However, air temperature alone is not the only factor - humidity, sun intensity, and pavement temperature all contribute. Always perform the five-second pavement test before walks: if you cannot hold your hand flat on the ground for five seconds, it is too hot for your dog's paws.
-
Can I use ice to cool down my dog?
Be careful because ice cold immersion is fine for healthy dogs. It’s not suitable for old or ill dog. Avoid placing ice directly on your dog or using ice-cold water to wet their coat. Extreme cold causes surface blood vessels to constrict, which slows the cooling of the blood and can make overheating worse. Ice cubes in a water bowl are generally fine and can encourage drinking, but the water you use to cool their coat should be cool rather than freezing. If in doubt, contact your vet.
-
How do I know if my dog is too hot?
Early signs include excessive panting, slowing down on walks, seeking shade, drooling more than usual, and glazed eyes. If these progress to heavy laboured breathing, vomiting, red or pale gums, disorientation, or collapse, your dog may be experiencing heatstroke and requires immediate veterinary attention. When in doubt, stop activity, cool your dog down, and call your vet.
-
Is it safe to take my dog out in 25°C heat?
At 25°C, the risk of overheating is significant for most dogs, particularly if the sun is strong and humidity is high. If you need to walk your dog, keep it short, stick to shaded routes, avoid pavements where possible, and carry water. For flat-faced breeds, senior dogs, and overweight dogs, it is advisable to skip the walk entirely and provide indoor enrichment instead. Early morning and late evening, when temperatures are lower, are the safest times for exercise during hot spells.
