Summer means longer days, outdoor adventures, and more time to play with your dog. But when temperatures rise, dogs can become overheated much faster than many pet parents realize.
Dogs mainly release heat by panting and through a small number of sweat glands in their paw pads. That makes fresh water, shade, airflow, and sensible exercise especially important during hot weather.
Quick answer
Keep your dog cool by providing constant access to fresh water, creating a shaded and well-ventilated resting area, avoiding midday walks, protecting their paws from hot pavement, and using cooling products when appropriate. Never leave a dog alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
1. Keep fresh water available
Hydration is one of the most important parts of keeping your dog comfortable in hot weather. Make sure your dog always has access to clean, fresh water. If your dog spends time in different rooms or outdoors, place several bowls around the home and yard.
On especially hot days, you can:
- Refill water bowls more frequently.
- Add a few ice cubes if your dog enjoys them.
- Bring a portable water bottle and collapsible bowl on walks.
- Place outdoor bowls in the shade so the water stays cooler.
- Add a little water to your dog’s regular food.
Never rely on puddles, pools, lakes, or seawater as your dog’s main drinking source.
2. Walk during cooler hours
Avoid exercising your dog during the hottest part of the day. Early mornings and later evenings are usually more comfortable. Choose shorter, slower walks when the weather is hot, and let your dog sniff and explore without encouraging intense running.
Humidity matters too. High humidity can make panting less effective, so a day that does not feel extremely hot to you may still be uncomfortable for your dog.
If your dog is panting heavily, slowing down, seeking shade, or refusing to continue, end the walk and move to a cool area.
3. Check the pavement before walking
Hot pavement can burn sensitive paw pads and add to your dog’s heat load. Before heading out, place the back of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it feels too hot for your hand, choose a cooler route or wait until later.
- Walk on grass or shaded paths whenever possible.
- Avoid asphalt during peak daytime hours.
- Keep walks shorter on very warm days.
- Check paws for redness, tenderness, or cracking.
- Consider properly fitted dog boots if your dog is comfortable wearing them.
Remember that pavement can remain hot even after the air begins to cool.
4. Create a cool resting area
Give your dog a quiet place where they can escape the heat. An ideal summer resting area should be shaded, well ventilated, and away from direct sunlight.
Indoors, close curtains or blinds during the hottest hours and use air conditioning or a fan when needed. Tile floors often stay cooler than carpets. You can also provide a breathable elevated bed or a cooling mat made for pets.
If your dog rests outside, make sure the shaded area remains shaded as the sun moves. A comfortable morning spot may be exposed to direct sunlight later in the day.
5. Use cooling products safely
Cooling products can make summer rest and travel more comfortable, especially for dogs that get warm easily.
- Pet cooling mats
- Elevated mesh beds
- Cooling vests or bandanas
- Portable water bottles
- Shaded pet tents
- Small pet-safe pools
- Freezable enrichment toys
Always follow the product instructions and supervise your dog when introducing something new. Cooling products should support good heat-safety habits, not replace water, shade, ventilation, and appropriate exercise.
6. Offer frozen treats
Frozen treats can provide enrichment while helping your dog feel refreshed. Try freezing water or dog-safe ingredients inside a treat toy. Small portions of seedless watermelon or your dog’s usual wet food can also be frozen if they suit your dog’s diet.
Check every ingredient before serving it. Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine, and heavily sweetened products. Treats should be offered in moderation and should never replace drinking water.
7. Adjust playtime and exercise
Dogs may still want to run and play even when the weather is too hot for strenuous activity. Move energetic games indoors or replace them with lower-intensity enrichment:
- Treat puzzles
- Scent games
- Short training sessions
- Indoor hide-and-seek
- Lick mats and stuffed toys
Watch your dog rather than the clock. Heavy panting, excessive drooling, slowing down, or repeatedly lying down mean it is time to stop.
8. Never leave your dog in a parked car
Never leave your dog unattended in a parked vehicle—not in the shade, with the windows open, or for a quick errand. The temperature inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and become dangerous. Opening a window slightly does not provide enough cooling to make the car safe.
Plan ahead. If your destination does not allow dogs, leave your dog safely at home or bring another adult who can remain with them in a properly air-conditioned vehicle.
9. Groom your dog appropriately
Regular brushing removes loose hair and helps keep your dog’s coat clean and comfortable. However, shaving a dog down to the skin is not automatically a safe cooling solution. Some coats provide protection from sunlight, and shaving can increase the risk of sunburn or damage certain coat types.
Ask a veterinarian or professional groomer what is suitable for your dog’s breed and coat. Dogs with short, thin, white, or light-colored coats may be more vulnerable to sunburn. Use only sunscreen labeled as safe for pets.
10. Give extra care to high-risk dogs
Any dog can overheat, but some need additional protection. Dogs at greater risk may include:
- Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs
- Senior dogs and puppies
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with thick or heavy coats
- Dogs with heart or breathing conditions
- Dogs that have previously experienced heatstroke
These dogs may need shorter walks, more indoor time, and closer supervision. Ask your veterinarian for advice based on your dog’s health, breed, age, and activity level.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Warning signs can include:
- Heavy or unusually noisy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Bright red gums or tongue
- Weakness or extreme tiredness
- Confusion or poor coordination
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Collapse, seizures, or loss of consciousness
Do not wait for every symptom to appear. If you think your dog is overheating, act immediately. Learn more from the RSPCA heatstroke guide.
What to do if your dog is overheating
- Stop all activity and move your dog into a shaded, cool, well-ventilated area.
- Contact a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Apply cool or tepid water to the dog’s body.
- Use a fan or air conditioning to encourage evaporation and cooling.
- Offer small amounts of water if your dog is alert, but do not force them to drink.
- Transport your dog to the veterinarian in a cool, ventilated vehicle.
Do not use ice water, ice baths, or direct ice packs. Avoid wrapping an overheated dog in wet towels because they may trap heat. Current veterinary guidance from VCA Animal Hospitals recommends controlled cooling with cool—not cold—water and prompt veterinary treatment.
Even if your dog appears to recover, they should still be examined by a veterinarian because heatstroke can cause internal complications.
Summer safety checklist
Before going outside with your dog, check that you have:
- Fresh drinking water and a portable bowl
- Reliable access to shade
- A leash and current identification tag
- A plan for avoiding hot pavement
- A cool resting space at your destination
- Your veterinarian’s phone number
- A nearby emergency animal hospital saved on your phone
Frequently asked questions
What temperature is too hot for a dog?
There is no single safe temperature for every dog. Humidity, sunlight, pavement temperature, breed, age, weight, coat type, health, and activity level all affect heat risk. Watch your dog closely and reduce outdoor activity whenever conditions are hot or humid.
Do fans help keep dogs cool?
Fans can support air circulation and evaporation, especially when a dog’s coat has been lightly wet with cool water. A fan alone may not be enough during extreme heat, so combine it with shade, fresh water, and air conditioning when available.
Can I put ice in my dog’s water?
A few ice cubes are suitable for many healthy dogs if they enjoy them and drink comfortably. The water does not need to be ice-cold to support hydration.
Should I shave my dog in summer?
Not automatically. Some coats help protect dogs from heat and sun exposure. Ask a veterinarian or professional groomer before making a major change to your dog’s coat.
Are cooling mats safe for dogs?
Pet cooling mats can be useful when they are appropriately sized, undamaged, and used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Supervise dogs that tend to chew bedding or unfamiliar objects.
Keep summer safe and comfortable
Summer can still be full of happy walks, relaxing afternoons, and outdoor adventures with your dog. The key is to plan around the weather, provide plenty of water and shade, and pay attention to your dog’s behavior.
A few simple changes—such as walking earlier, checking the pavement, and creating a cool resting space—can make a big difference.
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