10 Tips to Help You Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe This Summer

We’ve had some pretty hot and uncomfortable days already so far in 2025, and apparently there’s another heat wave on the way.  It can be so hot that it’s just not safe to walk your dog when you normally do, and lots of people search the internet asking what temperature is too hot to walk dogs. Answer - depends on the dog, but older, bigger dogs, long haired dogs and flat nosed dogs (brachycephalic) feel the heat much more than the average dog, so extra care should be taken with these dogs.

Here are 10 tips to help you keep your dog cool and safe this summer:

1. Make sure they have plenty of cool and fresh water.  If they have access to the garden, it’s helpful for them to have an indoor and an outdoor bowl, to encourage them to drink

   regularly.  If it’s particularly hot, you can pop an ice cube in the water to keep it cool.

2. Consider frozen treats. There’s a growing range of frozen treats for dogs now, both in pet shops and at cafe’s and restaurants, but you can make your own at home (cheaper and more accessible!) by freezing dog friendly treats in some water or broth, or pureeing some of their favourite foods and freezing that in ice cube moulds.

3. Use cooling products such as cooling mats/bandanas/vests. Simply soaking a bandana or coat in cold water for them to wear will help (but remember to remove it again once it’s no longer cool). And consider a paddling pool for the garden if you have one! You can even get paddling pools with sprinklers now for the water lovers!

4. If they’re in the garden, make sure there is shade available and encourage them to spend time there, rather than in the full sun for too long. Shade helps them regulate their body temperature. If you do walk them, seek out shade so they’re walking in the cooler temperatures.

5. Groom regularly - removing excess hair either by cutting longer hair or brushing their coat can help to keep them cool.

6. Don’t walk during peak heat times - it’s hotter from mid morning to late evening, so it’s safer to walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening.  Some days it might even be safer to skip the walk altogether!

7. Check the ground temperature if you do go out for a walk, or if you let your dog into your garden/balcony.  Remember the 5 second rule - if you can’t stand barefoot or with your hand on the floor for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws, so don’t let them out.  Don’t fall for them pretending they’re ok! They don’t feel the heat the same as we do - they have thicker skin on their paws and a thick coat, and can burn without realising it. It’s up to us to keep them safe.  Think about what happens if we burn our skin on a hot surface - our skin can stick to it and rip off - that’s exactly what can happen to our dogs’ paws! 

8. On hotter days, be alert to the symptoms of heatstroke, even when indoors.  Look out for:

   • lethargy

   • excessive panting

   • drooling

   • vomiting

If you suspect your dog may be showing signs of heatstroke, the safest thing to do is ring your vet for advice.

9. I’m not going to tell you not to leave your dog unattended in the car. You know that, don’t you? You know that even with the window open, the temperature inside the car can rise dangerously quickly and that this is just one.big.no. But as you already know that, I’m not going to waste a tip by telling you!!

10. Look out for the next blog - ideas for when it’s just too hot to walk your dog - coming soon!