How to Keep Dogs Cool in Hot Weather: Heatstroke Signs, Safe Walks and Emergency Steps
Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, which is not very efficient. Shade, water, smart walk times and never leaving a dog in a car prevent most heat emergencies.
To keep a dog cool in hot weather, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, provide constant shade and fresh water, keep exercise short and gentle, and never leave a dog in a parked car. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency. If your dog is panting heavily, drooling, weak, vomiting, stumbling or collapses, move it somewhere cool, wet it with cool (not ice-cold) water and get to a vet immediately.
Flat-faced breeds, puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs, thick-coated dogs and dogs with heart or breathing problems are at higher risk. Ask your vet if your dog needs extra precautions.
Why dogs overheat
Dogs do not sweat the way people do. They lose heat mostly by panting and a little through their paw pads. When the air is hot or humid, panting works less well, and body temperature can climb quickly, especially during exercise or in an enclosed space.
Never leave a dog in a parked car
According to the AVMA, the temperature inside a car can rise by almost 20°F in 10 minutes and almost 30°F in 20 minutes, even on a mild day, and cracking the windows makes little difference. A car can become dangerous on a day that feels only warm. If you cannot take your dog inside with you, leave it at home.
Walking in the heat
- Change your schedule. Walk in the early morning or late evening when it is coolest.
- Shorten walks and slow the pace. Skip fetch, running and long hikes on hot days.
- Check the ground. Asphalt and pavement can get hot enough to burn paw pads. The UK Kennel Club suggests the seven-second test: place the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds; if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog.
- Choose grass and shade where possible.
- Carry water and a collapsible bowl, and offer drinks often.
- Avoid humid, still days for exercise, as humidity makes panting less effective.
Keeping dogs cool at home
- Provide shade and airflow indoors and out. A cool room, fans and air conditioning help.
- Keep fresh water available at all times, in more than one bowl if you can.
- Offer cool surfaces such as tile floors or a damp towel to lie on, which your dog can move away from.
- Use a shallow paddling pool in the shade for dogs that enjoy water, with supervision.
- Offer frozen treats such as a chew toy stuffed with dog-safe food and frozen, in moderation.
- Groom regularly to remove dead undercoat. Do not shave double coats without your vet’s advice; the coat helps protect from sun and heat.
- Do not leave dogs outside for long periods without shade and water, and never in a closed conservatory, garage or dog house without ventilation.
Dogs at higher risk
| Risk factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Flat-faced breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers) | Shortened airways make panting less efficient; they can overheat at only moderately warm temperatures |
| Puppies and senior dogs | Less able to regulate body temperature |
| Overweight dogs | Extra body fat holds heat and strains breathing |
| Thick or dark coats | Absorb and hold more heat |
| Heart, breathing or other health conditions | Reduce the body’s ability to cope with heat |
| Very active or working dogs | Often keep going past safe limits |
| Muzzled dogs | Some muzzles restrict panting; use a basket style that allows it |
Signs of heatstroke
Early signs can include heavy, fast panting, restlessness, drooling or thick saliva, a bright red tongue or gums, and seeking shade or lying down.
Later, more serious signs can include weakness, stumbling, confusion, vomiting or diarrhea, dark red, pale or bluish gums, seizures and collapse.
VCA Animal Hospitals describes heatstroke as an immediate medical emergency. Even if your dog seems to recover, internal damage can develop over the following hours. See VCA’s guide to heat stroke in dogs for more detail.
What to do in an emergency
- Move your dog out of the heat into shade or an air-conditioned space.
- Call your vet or nearest emergency clinic and tell them you are coming.
- Start cooling right away. Pour cool, not cold, water over your dog’s head, belly, armpits and feet. A fan or the car’s air conditioning helps evaporation.
- Do not use ice or ice-cold water, and do not cover your dog with wet towels, which can trap heat. VCA notes that ice packs and rubbing alcohol are no longer recommended.
- Offer small amounts of water if your dog is alert and wants to drink. Do not force water.
- Get to the vet as quickly as possible, continuing cooling on the way if someone can help. Overcooling is also a risk, which is another reason to let a vet take over.
Bottom line
Plan around the heat: walk at cooler times, test the pavement, keep water and shade available and never leave a dog in a car. Know the signs of heatstroke, and if you see them, cool your dog with cool water and head straight to a vet.
For more on daily activity, see our guide to how much exercise a dog needs, and for older dogs, our senior dog care guide.
FAQ
What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?
There is no single cutoff, because humidity, sun, surface temperature and your dog’s breed and health all matter. On hot days, walk at the coolest times, keep walks short and use the seven-second pavement test.
Is it OK to leave a dog in the car with the windows down?
No. The AVMA notes that cracking the windows makes little difference to how fast a car heats up.
Can I give my dog ice cubes?
Small amounts of ice or frozen treats are generally fine for a healthy dog as a cooling treat. For a dog with heatstroke, do not use ice; use cool water and go to the vet.
Do dogs get sunburned?
Yes, especially on thin-haired or light-colored areas like the nose and belly. Shade is the best protection; ask your vet before using any sunscreen, since some ingredients are not safe for dogs.