Top Tips for Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer
Top Tips for Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer
Summer can be gorgeous for us, but for our dogs it can quickly become uncomfortable, overwhelming and, in some cases, dangerous.
Every year, as soon as the temperature rises, we see the same advice shared online: walk early, avoid hot pavements, never leave dogs in cars. And while all of that is absolutely important, keeping your dog cool in summer is about more than avoiding the obvious risks.
It is about understanding how dogs regulate heat, spotting the early signs that your dog is struggling, using food and hydration cleverly, and not falling into the trap of thinking that every “cooling” activity is automatically safe.
Because here is the thing: dogs do not cool down in the same way we do.
Humans sweat across much of the body. Dogs mainly rely on panting, some heat exchange through their paw pads, moving to cooler areas, and adjusting their activity. That means they can overheat far more quickly than many owners realise, especially if they are young, elderly, overweight, flat-faced, thick-coated, dark-coated, unfit, anxious, or living with heart or respiratory conditions.
So, whether you are planning garden days, beach trips, staycations, dog walks, pub lunches or simply trying to get through a warm spell at home, here are my top tips for keeping your dog cool this summer.
1. Walk earlier, later, shorter — and sometimes not at all
One of the best things you can do for your dog in hot weather is adjust your expectations around exercise.
Your dog does not need a long walk every single day if the weather makes that walk unsafe. Missing one walk, or replacing it with indoor enrichment, is far safer than pushing through heat because “they always have a walk at 2pm.”
Owners of Bracchy breeds or older dogs who tire easily should also consider whether that walk is essential
During summer, aim to walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures have dropped. But do not just look at the number on the weather app. Think about humidity, direct sun, shade, pavement temperature, your dog’s fitness, and how well they cope with heat.
A 20-minute sniffy walk in the shade is often far more appropriate than an hour of ball throwing in the sun.
And please, be careful with high-intensity games. Repeated ball chasing, running, agility practice and long hikes can quickly increase body temperature, especially in dogs who will keep going because they are excited.
A dog can still overheat near water, in the shade, or during what looks like “fun.”
2. Check the pavement before you walk
Hot pavements, tarmac, patios, decking and artificial grass can burn your dog’s paw pads.
A simple test is to place the back of your hand on the surface for around five seconds. If it is uncomfortable for you, it is too hot for your dog to walk on.
Burnt paws are painful, and dogs may not always show discomfort immediately. You might notice licking, limping, reluctance to walk, redness, blistering, or sensitivity afterwards.
Where possible, choose grass, woodland paths or shaded routes. If you live in a town or city where pavement walking is unavoidable, keep walks very short and choose the coolest parts of the day.
3. Offer water in more than one place
Hydration matters, but some dogs are not naturally big drinkers. Others may drink more after activity but forget to sip regularly throughout the day.
In warmer weather, make water easy and obvious.
Keep bowls in a few different areas of the house and garden. Refresh them often. Some dogs prefer cooler water, some prefer room temperature, and some are more likely to drink from a wide ceramic bowl than a narrow metal one.
If you are going out, take a travel water bottle or collapsible bowl with you. Do not rely on finding water while you are out, especially on walks, car journeys or days away.
You can also increase water intake through food. Wet food, soaked kibble, dog-safe broths, watery vegetables and frozen treats can all help increase fluid intake without forcing your dog to drink.
This is one reason why summer is a good time to think about simple food-based cooling options, not as magic health hacks, but as practical hydration support.
4. Use frozen treats sensibly
Frozen treats can be a lovely way to cool your dog down, provide enrichment and add moisture to the diet.
But they still count as food.
A common mistake in summer is adding frozen yoghurt, peanut butter, fruit, chews, lick mats and ice creams on top of the dog’s normal diet without thinking about calories, fat content or digestive tolerance.
Treats should generally make up no more than around 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. This is especially important for dogs prone to weight gain, pancreatitis, reflux, IBD, diarrhoea, or food sensitivities.
Good summer options include:
Mashed banana and water frozen into small cubes
Blueberries blended with water
Cucumber slices
Dog-safe bone broth or meat broth frozen into moulds
Soaked kibble frozen into a lick mat
Watermelon with seeds and rind removed
Goat’s milk powder mixed correctly and frozen in small portions
A lick mat can be useful here because it slows your dog down and turns a small amount of food into a longer activity.
Try my Berry Bark Frozen free summer dog treat recipe here
5. Do not overdo fatty summer treats
Summer often means BBQs, picnics, sausages, burgers, ice cream, cheese, rich leftovers and lots of “just a little bit won’t hurt.”
But fatty foods are one of the biggest dietary mistakes I see in warm weather.
High-fat treats can cause digestive upset in some dogs and may be particularly risky for dogs with a history of pancreatitis, sensitive stomachs, reflux, obesity or certain medical conditions.
This does not mean your dog can never have a treat. It means we need to be sensible.
Instead of sharing sausages, burgers, bacon, cheese or buttery leftovers, choose lower-fat options such as:
Plain cooked chicken breast
White fish
Lean turkey
Small amounts of dog-safe fruit
Cucumber
Carrot sticks
Soaked kibble frozen into cubes
Low-fat dog-safe homemade treats
If you are having a BBQ, prepare your dog’s treat before guests arrive so you are not relying on scraps.
Product placement/backlink idea:
Link to your low-fat dog treat e-book or any recipe collection you sell, for example:
https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk/ebooks
6. Create cool zones at home
Your dog should always have somewhere cool to retreat to.
This might be a shaded room, tiled floor, fan-cooled area, damp towel, cooling mat, or a crate with good airflow and no direct sunlight.
Cooling mats can be helpful for some dogs, but they are not a substitute for proper shade, ventilation and sensible exercise. Some dogs love them; others avoid them completely. If your dog does not like the texture, try placing a thin towel over the mat.
Product placement/backlink ideas:
Raised cooling bed
Travel water bottle
Lick mat
Slow feeder for soaked meals
Cooling bandana
For your website, you could add a “Summer Cooling Favourites” section and use affiliate or product backlinks carefully, keeping the tone educational rather than sales-heavy.
Example wording:
A cooling mat, travel water bottle and lick mat are not essential, but they can make summer management easier, especially for dogs who struggle in warm weather. I like products that support hydration, rest and enrichment rather than anything that encourages dogs to exercise more in the heat.
7. Be careful with water play
Water can be a brilliant way to help dogs cool down, but not all water-based activity is safe.
Paddling pools, shallow streams, sprinkler play and gentle supervised splashing can be great for some dogs. But jumping into deep water, chasing balls into lakes, swimming when overexcited, or suddenly plunging into cold water can carry risks.
This is especially important for dogs with heart conditions, breathing difficulties, poor fitness, joint problems, anxiety, or dogs who are not confident swimmers.
I have written more about this here:
Do Not Let Your Dog Jump Into Deep Water
Water can help cool a dog, but it should be introduced calmly and safely. Think paddling, not panic jumping. Think shade and rest, not endless ball throwing into a lake.
If your dog loves water, consider a shallow paddling pool in the garden, a cooling splash mat, or a supervised walk near shallow water rather than high-energy swimming.
8. Know the signs of heatstroke in dogs
Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency.
Dogs can deteriorate quickly, so it is important to recognise the signs early.
Signs your dog may be overheating include:
Excessive panting
Drooling
Red or dark gums
Restlessness
Weakness
Staggering
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Glazed eyes
Collapse
Confusion
Seizures
If you are worried your dog has heatstroke, contact a vet immediately.
Move your dog to a cooler area, stop exercise, offer small amounts of water if they are conscious and able to drink, and begin cooling with cool—not ice-cold—water. Avoid wrapping them in wet towels for long periods, as this can trap heat. Keep airflow moving with a fan or open windows where possible.
Do not wait to “see how they go.” Heatstroke can be fatal.
9. Feed smaller meals if your dog struggles in the heat
Some dogs naturally eat less when it is warm. Others may feel nauseous, sluggish or less interested in food.
If your dog is otherwise well but seems less enthusiastic about meals during hot weather, smaller, more frequent meals may help.
You can also try:
Feeding during cooler parts of the day
Adding a little water to food
Offering wet food or soaked kibble
Using lick mats
Avoiding rich, fatty extras
Keeping meals simple and consistent
However, if your dog refuses food completely, seems unwell, vomits, has diarrhoea, becomes lethargic, or has a medical condition, speak to your vet.
A temporary dip in appetite during a heatwave can happen, but we should not assume all appetite changes are “just the weather.”
10. Do not shave double-coated dogs without proper advice
It can be tempting to shave a thick-coated dog in summer, but this is not always the best option.
A dog’s coat can help protect them from sun exposure and support temperature regulation. For some breeds, shaving can interfere with coat function or regrowth.
That does not mean grooming is unimportant. Regular brushing can remove dead undercoat, improve airflow and keep the coat in better condition.
If your dog is very thick-coated, matted, elderly, overweight, or struggling in the heat, speak to a qualified groomer about the safest option for their coat type.
And remember: grooming helps, but it does not make a dog heat-proof.
11. Protect dogs at higher risk
Some dogs need extra care in warm weather.
Higher-risk dogs include:
Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs
Puppies
Senior dogs
Overweight dogs
Dogs with heart disease
Dogs with breathing problems
Dogs with laryngeal paralysis
Dogs with thick coats
Dogs with dark coats
Dogs with poor fitness
Dogs recovering from illness or surgery
For these dogs, summer management needs to be stricter.
That might mean no walks during warm spells, using indoor enrichment instead, keeping them in the coolest part of the house, avoiding travel during peak heat, and speaking to your vet if you are unsure what level of activity is safe.
For dogs with diagnosed medical conditions, general summer tips are not a replacement for veterinary advice.
12. Use enrichment instead of exercise
When it is too hot to walk, your dog still needs something to do.
This is where enrichment is your best friend.
Try:
Scatter feeding
Snuffle mats
Lick mats
Frozen Kongs
Scent games
Puzzle games
Cardboard box searches
Training short cues indoors
Calm chewing
“Find it” games around the house
Mental stimulation can tire a dog out without raising their body temperature in the same way as physical exercise.
This is particularly useful for young, energetic dogs whose owners feel guilty about skipping walks. You are not being lazy by avoiding a hot walk. You are making a sensible welfare decision.
13. Keep car journeys cool and planned
Never leave your dog in a parked car during warm weather, even for a few minutes.
Cars can heat up incredibly quickly, even with windows cracked open. But it is not just parked cars that matter. Long car journeys can also be uncomfortable if the dog is in direct sun, in the boot area, or without proper airflow.
For summer travel:
Use air conditioning where possible
Use sunshades
Avoid travelling during peak heat
Take water
Plan breaks
Never leave your dog unattended
Check the temperature where your dog is sitting, not just where you are sitting
If your dog is already panting heavily before the journey starts, reconsider whether the trip is necessary.
14. Be realistic about summer body condition
One of the most helpful things you can do before summer is look honestly at your dog’s body condition.
Dogs carrying excess weight are more likely to struggle in warm weather. Extra body fat can make heat regulation harder and can also add pressure to joints, breathing and stamina.
You do not need to crash diet your dog, and you absolutely should not suddenly cut food drastically. But if your dog is overweight, summer is a good time to start making measured, sensible changes.
This might include weighing food properly, reducing high-calorie treats, choosing lower-fat options, increasing moisture, using food for enrichment rather than extras, and getting professional support if you are unsure.
If you need help working out how much your dog should be eating, you can explore my resources and consultations here:
https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk
15. Keep cooling simple
There are lots of summer products marketed to dog owners, and some of them can be useful.
But your dog does not need a basket full of expensive cooling gadgets to stay safe.
The foundations are simple:
Avoid heat
Provide shade
Offer water
Reduce intense exercise
Use safe cooling activities
Feed appropriately
Watch for signs of overheating
Know when to contact your vet
A cooling mat is useful. A frozen treat is lovely. A paddling pool can be fun. But none of them override the basics.
The biggest mistake owners make is using cooling products to justify doing too much in hot weather.
A dog in a cooling vest can still overheat. A dog swimming can still get into trouble. A dog with frozen treats can still become dehydrated. A dog walked “only for 20 minutes” can still struggle if it is humid, sunny and too warm for them.
Final thoughts: summer should be safe, not stressful
Keeping your dog cool this summer does not have to be complicated, but it does require a little planning.
Walk when it is cooler. Skip walks when needed. Keep water available. Use frozen treats sensibly. Avoid fatty BBQ scraps. Create cool resting spaces. Be careful with deep water. And learn the signs that your dog is getting too hot.
Most importantly, do not let guilt make decisions for you.
Your dog will not suffer because they missed a hot lunchtime walk. They may suffer if they are pushed through one.
Summer should be about comfort, safety and calm enjoyment — not heat stress, overexcitement and preventable emergencies.
And for dog-safe recipes, feeding support and practical nutrition guidance, visit:
https://www.thecaninedietitian.co.uk
