How to keep a dog cool in hot weather
Keeping a dog cool comes down to a handful of practical habits — walking at cooler times of day, making sure shade and fresh water are always available, and knowing the early signs of heatstroke so you can act before it becomes serious. None of it is complicated, but the failure modes are worth knowing, because heat affects dogs faster than most owners expect.
Timing and exercise
Walk earlier in the morning or later in the evening once the temperature has dropped, rather than in the middle of a hot day, and shorten the walk itself on genuinely warm days regardless of how much energy your dog seems to have. Enthusiasm is not a reliable guide to how a dog is actually coping with heat — many dogs will keep going well past the point that is good for them.
Pavements and tarmac hold heat long after the air temperature has dropped, and hot ground can burn a dog's paws well before it feels too hot for you standing in shoes. If you cannot comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds, it is too hot for paws.
Shade, water and cooling kit
Fresh water needs to be available at all times, both at home and on any walk long enough to need it, and a shaded spot to retreat to matters as much indoors as it does in the garden. A dog left in a garden all day needs somewhere out of direct sun for the whole day, not just at the times you happen to check.
Cooling mats, vests and simple paddling pools all help on genuinely hot days, and a damp towel to lie on works nearly as well if you do not have any of the dedicated kit. Frozen treats — a lick mat with something dog-safe frozen into it, for instance — are a popular way to add a cooling activity that also keeps a dog occupied.
Dogs at higher risk
Flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs struggle to regulate their temperature through panting as effectively as other dogs, which puts them at meaningfully higher risk in the heat. Older dogs, overweight dogs, and those with existing heart or breathing conditions are also more vulnerable and need extra caution rather than the same routine as a fit, younger dog.
Never leave a dog in a parked car in warm weather, even briefly and even with a window cracked open. The temperature inside a car climbs far faster than most people expect, and it is one of the most common and preventable causes of heat-related emergencies.
Recognising heatstroke
Heavy panting that does not settle, excessive drooling, lethargy, disorientation, vomiting or collapse are all signs of heatstroke, and it can progress quickly once it starts. If you notice any of these, move your dog to a cool, shaded spot straight away and ring your vet immediately rather than waiting to see if they improve on their own.
While you are getting help, offer small amounts of cool — not ice-cold — water if your dog is alert enough to drink, and use a damp towel or cool water on their body to help bring their temperature down gradually. Heatstroke is a genuine emergency, and speed matters far more here than trying to manage it at home.
What we use
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
MPS Medical PetS Boot – Waterproof Paw Protector
A waterproof boot that keeps bandages, dressings, and casts dry during walks and wet weather.
£30.49
Biodegradable Scented Dog Poo Bags — 50 or 200
Citrus-scented biodegradable poo bags with tie handles — breaking down in months rather than the centuries a standard plastic bag takes.
From£4.49
PAWZ Rubber Dog Paw Protectors — Waterproof Disposable Boots
Lightweight rubber dog boots that protect paws from injury and the elements — easy to fit, water resistant, and available in seven sizes from Tiny to X Large.
From£15.99
Common questions
- What are the first signs of heatstroke in dogs?
- Heavy panting that does not settle, excessive drooling, lethargy and general distress are usually the earliest signs. If you notice any of these on a hot day, move your dog to shade and cool water straight away and ring your vet, since heatstroke can progress quickly once it starts.
- Which dogs are most at risk in hot weather?
- Flat-faced breeds such as bulldogs and pugs are at particularly high risk because they cannot pant as effectively to cool down. Older dogs, overweight dogs and those with heart or breathing conditions also need extra caution, even on days that do not feel especially hot to a person.
- Is it too hot to walk my dog on the pavement?
- If you cannot comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds, it is too hot for your dog's paws, even if the air temperature does not feel extreme. Walking earlier or later in the day avoids the problem altogether.
- Can I leave my dog in the car with the window open?
- No, this is not safe even briefly. The temperature inside a parked car rises far faster than most people expect, cracking a window makes very little difference, and it remains one of the most common preventable causes of heat-related emergencies in dogs.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.