Hot Weather Safety Tips for Dogs
Updated: 4 days ago
Dogs feel the heat far more than we do. They can't sweat like us, they wear a fur coat all year, and they'll keep running after a ball long after they should have stopped. A warm day that feels lovely to you can be risky for your dog, especially if they're flat-faced, older, young, overweight or very active. A few changes to your routine make a big difference, though. Here are my hot weather safety tips for dogs, from timing walks and protecting paws to cooling your home and spotting the early signs of overheating.
THE SHORT ANSWER
To keep your dog safe in hot weather, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, check the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds, and stick to grass and shade. Always have fresh water and shade available, and swap fetch and long walks for sniffing, scent games and short training sessions. Never leave a dog in a parked car, even with the windows open. Cool your home with closed blinds, fans and a cool floor or cooling mat. Flat-faced breeds, puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs and dogs with heart or breathing problems need extra care. Heavy panting, bright red gums, drooling, wobbliness or vomiting are signs of overheating. Move your dog somewhere cool, wet them with cool, not ice-cold, water and call your vet straight away.
IN THIS POST
ā Why dogs struggle in the heat
ā Time your walks
ā Swap exercise for brain games
ā Shade and water
ā Never leave a dog in a car
ā Signs your dog is overheating
ā FAQs
Why dogs struggle in the heat
Dogs mainly cool down by panting, with only a little sweating through their paw pads. That's not very efficient, especially when the air is warm or humid.
Some dogs are more at risk than others. Flat-faced breeds like pugs, bulldogs, French bulldogs and boxers have shorter airways and find it harder to cool down. Puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs, thick-coated breeds and dogs with heart or breathing problems are also more vulnerable. Read the Innate Health Assessment for flat-faced breeds.
Time your walks
Early morning and late evening are the coolest, safest times to walk. In a heatwave, a short walk or a garden sniff may be all your dog needs.
Pavements, tarmac, sand and artificial grass can burn paws. Put the back of your hand on the ground for seven seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Stick to grass and shady paths.
Swap exercise for brain games
Your dog doesn't need a long walk every day, and in the heat it can do more harm than good. Fetch and ball launchers are the riskiest, because many dogs won't stop when they're too hot.
Brain games tire dogs out without overheating them. Ten minutes of sniffing can be as tiring as a long walk. Try these instead:
scatter feeding or a snuffle mat in the shade
a frozen stuffed Kong or lick mat
short training sessions indoors
hide-and-seek with toys or treats
a shallow paddling pool, if your dog enjoys it
Read indoor enrichment ideas for more. Most of them work just as well on a rainy day.
Shade and water
Your dog should always have shade and fresh water, at home and out and about. Remember that shade moves with the sun, so a cool spot at ten in the morning may be in full sun by lunchtime.
Carry water and a collapsible bowl on every walk. Some dogs drink more if you add a few ice cubes or a splash of low-salt stock.
Never leave a dog in a car
A parked car heats up very quickly, even on a mild day, with the windows open or in the shade. Dogs can die in hot cars in a short time.
If you can't take your dog into where you're going, leave them at home. If you see a dog in distress in a hot car, contact the local emergency services or police straight away.
Cooling your home
Cooling the room is often easier and less stressful than trying to cool the dog. It also keeps them comfortable while you're out. A few simple changes help:
close blinds and curtains on sunny windows
use fans to move air, without pointing them right at your dog
give your dog access to cool tiled or stone floors
offer a cooling mat or a damp towel to lie on
keep crates out of direct sun
Read cooling mats for dogs. Some dogs take a day or two to start using one.
Grooming in summer
Regular brushing helps thick-coated dogs, because it removes dead undercoat and lets air move through the coat. Little and often works best in summer.
Shaving double-coated breeds is rarely a good idea. Their coat helps protect them from heat and sunburn, and it may not grow back the same. Ask a professional groomer about the best summer care for your dog's coat. Pale-skinned or thin-coated dogs can burn on their noses, ears and bellies, so ask your vet about a dog-safe sunscreen.
Signs your dog is overheating
Act quickly if you notice any of these. Heatstroke can get worse fast. Watch for:
heavy, fast panting that doesn't settle
bright red gums and tongue
drooling, often thick and sticky
wobbliness, confusion or collapse
vomiting or diarrhoea
Move your dog somewhere cool, wet them with cool, not ice-cold, water, let them drink small amounts and call your vet straight away. Read heatstroke in dogs.
RENEE'S TIP
Check the weather forecast the night before a hot day and plan your dog's walk for first thing in the morning. Freeze a few stuffed Kongs too, so you've got something calm and cool ready for the hottest part of the afternoon.
QUICK CHECK
ā Walk early or late, and test the pavement with your hand
ā Always have shade and fresh water
ā Swap fetch and long walks for brain games in the heat
ā Never leave a dog in a parked car
ā Know the signs of overheating and call your vet quickly
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a dog who can't settle indoors
If your dog struggles to settle when walks are shorter, I can help you build calm days at home in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
How hot is too hot to walk a dog?
It depends on the dog, but on hot days walk early or late. If the pavement is too hot for your hand after seven seconds, it's too hot for paws.
How can I keep my dog cool in hot weather?
Shade, fresh water, a cool floor or cooling mat, fans, closed blinds and quiet brain games instead of hard exercise.
Which dogs are most at risk in hot weather?
Flat-faced breeds, puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs, thick-coated breeds and dogs with heart or breathing problems.
Should I shave my dog in summer?
Usually not for double-coated breeds. Regular brushing helps more. Ask a groomer about your dog's coat.
What should I do if my dog overheats?
Move them somewhere cool, wet them with cool water, offer small drinks and call your vet straight away.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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