Summer 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the hottest on record. Parts of England hit 34°C before July even arrived, and vets across the country are reporting a sharp rise in heat-related emergencies. If you own a dog, this is the most important thing you'll read this week.
Dogs can't cool themselves the way we can. They don't sweat through their skin. Instead, they rely almost entirely on panting and the small sweat glands in their paw pads to bring their temperature down. That means a warm afternoon that feels perfectly pleasant to you can be genuinely dangerous for your dog, and once their body temperature starts climbing, things can go wrong very quickly.
The good news is that keeping your dog safe in the heat doesn't require anything complicated. It's mostly about building a few smart habits and knowing what to watch for. Here are ten things that actually make a difference.
1. Walk Early, Walk Late, Skip the Middle
This is the single biggest thing you can do. The safest times to walk your dog in summer are before 9am and after 7pm, when both the air temperature and the ground have had time to cool. Between those hours, pavements can reach temperatures well above 50°C in direct sun, hot enough to burn paw pads in seconds.
Before you head out, try the seven-second test: press the back of your hand flat against the pavement and hold it there. If you can't keep it down comfortably for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog's feet. Stick to grass, woodland paths, or shaded routes instead.
If your dog does need to go out during warmer hours, protective footwear can make a real difference. Our Neoprene Dog Shoes shield paw pads from hot tarmac, rough ground, and sharp surfaces while staying flexible enough for a comfortable walk. Pair them with a No-Pull Dog Harness for a safer, more controlled summer walk.
If the temperature is above 25°C, most vets would recommend skipping the walk entirely and keeping your dog entertained at home instead. Missing one walk is always safer than dealing with heatstroke.
2. Know the Signs of Heatstroke Before You Need Them
Heatstroke in dogs can escalate from early warning signs to organ failure in under 30 minutes. One in four dogs that develop heatstroke don't survive, even with veterinary treatment. That's not a scare statistic. It's the reality reported by the Royal Veterinary College after studying UK cases.
The early signs to watch for:
- Excessive, heavy panting that doesn't ease when they rest
- Bright red gums and tongue
- Drooling more than usual
- A glazed, distant look in their eyes
- Restlessness, pacing, or seeming unable to settle
- Vomiting or runny stools
As it gets worse, you might see weakness, stumbling, collapse, or what looks like shivering (this is actually muscle spasms from dehydration, not cold). If you spot any of these signs, don't wait to see if they improve. Act immediately.
3. How to Cool Down a Dog Fast
If your dog is showing signs of overheating, here's what to do:
Move them to shade straight away. Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body, focusing on the paw pads, neck, armpits, and belly, the areas where blood vessels sit closest to the surface. Offer small sips of cool water, but don't force them to drink large amounts. Use a fan if you have one nearby.
One important thing most people get wrong: don't drape a wet towel over your dog and leave it. It traps heat against their body and actually makes things worse. A damp towel to lie on is fine, but nothing draped on top.
And don't use ice or freezing water. The sudden cold causes blood vessels to constrict, which slows down cooling at the core, the opposite of what you need. Call your vet immediately and get your dog there as fast as you can. Cool first, transport second.
Having a Dog Cooling Mat ready at home means your dog always has somewhere to bring their temperature down quickly, whether after a walk or just on a hot afternoon.
4. Water, Water, Everywhere
Dehydration sneaks up on dogs faster than you'd expect, especially in humidity when panting becomes less effective. Place multiple water bowls around your home and garden, and refresh them every couple of hours because water heats up quickly in the sun.
If your dog is a reluctant drinker, try adding a splash of unsweetened coconut water to their bowl. The slight sweetness encourages most dogs to drink more. You can also soak their kibble in water before feeding, or switch to wet food during the hottest weeks, since wet food can contain up to 80% moisture.
Another way to encourage hydration is to make drinking more engaging. Our Rolling Ball Licking Toy works as a slow feeder water bowl that keeps your dog interacting with their water for longer, so they naturally take in more fluid throughout the day.
When you do go out, always carry water with you. A collapsible bowl clipped to your lead is one of the cheapest and most useful bits of summer kit you can own.
5. Create a Cool Zone at Home
Dogs instinctively seek out the coolest spot in the house. Help them by setting one up intentionally. Tile or stone floors stay cooler than carpet, so if you have a kitchen or hallway with hard flooring, that's your dog's new favourite room.
Close curtains on the sunny side of the house and open windows on the shaded side to create a through-draught. A fan pointed at floor level helps too. Cooling mats work well for most dogs, using pressure-activated gel that absorbs body heat without needing a fridge or freezer.
Our Dog Cooling Mat starts working the moment your dog lies on it and resets itself when they get up. For dogs that need a more structured resting spot, the Summer Cooling Pet Bed combines cooling technology with the comfort of a proper sofa-style bed, so your dog actually wants to use it.
6. Frozen Treats Are Your Best Friend
This is one of the easiest wins, and most dogs absolutely love it. Freeze dog-safe yoghurt, mashed banana, or soaked kibble overnight. It keeps them cool, hydrated, and mentally occupied on days when it's too hot for a proper walk.
Other frozen treats that work well: watermelon chunks (seedless), cucumber slices, blueberries, or plain ice cubes. Some dogs enjoy licking frozen bone broth, which also tops up their electrolytes. Just check that anything you freeze doesn't contain xylitol, onion, garlic, or grapes, all of which are toxic to dogs.
Serving frozen treats in a Raised Adjustable Slow Feeder Dog Bowl keeps the bowls off the hot ground, makes eating more comfortable for your dog, and slows them down so they don't gulp everything at once. Fill one side with frozen watermelon and the other with ice water for the ultimate summer cool-down station.
On days too hot for outdoor play, enrichment toys are a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated indoors. Our Snuffle Ball Dog Toy and Carrot Garden Snuffle Toy let you hide treats for your dog to sniff out, turning a quiet indoor afternoon into a brain game.
7. Never, Ever Leave Your Dog in the Car
You've heard this one before, but it bears repeating because it still happens every single summer. When it's 22°C outside, the inside of a car can reach 47°C within an hour. Cracking the windows makes almost no difference. Even a "quick" five-minute errand can turn fatal.
If you're running errands, leave your dog at home where they can stay cool. If you're on a day out, check before you leave whether dogs are allowed at your destination. If they're not, arrange a pet sitter rather than risking the car.
If your dog does travel with you, keeping the car comfortable matters. Our Cooling Dog Car Bed draws heat away from your dog as they rest, so they stay settled and cool on every journey.
8. Know Your Dog's Risk Level
Some dogs are significantly more vulnerable to heat than others. If yours falls into any of these categories, take extra precautions:
- Flat-faced breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, Boxers) have shorter airways that make cooling through panting much harder. They're the highest-risk group.
- Thick-coated breeds (Huskies, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Bernese Mountain Dogs) carry extra insulation that traps heat.
- Older dogs and those with heart, lung, or breathing conditions are less able to regulate their temperature.
- Overweight dogs carry extra insulation and their bodies are under more strain.
- Very young puppies haven't yet developed efficient temperature regulation.
If your dog is in one of these groups, keep walks short and only during the coolest hours, and have your cool-down plan ready before the hot weather arrives rather than reacting to it.
9. Summer Grooming Matters More Than You Think
As the weather warms up, most dogs start shedding their winter coat. Regular brushing removes all that loose fur, which otherwise acts as extra insulation trapping heat against their body. A thorough grooming session every few days during summer can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable your dog is.
One word of caution: never shave a double-coated breed (Huskies, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and similar). Their undercoat actually insulates against heat as well as cold, and shaving it off removes their natural sun protection, leaving them more vulnerable to both overheating and sunburn. Instead, focus on de-shedding and keeping the coat clean and free of mats.
Our Cordless Pet Grooming Vacuum brushes, desheds, and collects loose fur at the same time, making summer grooming sessions quicker and cleaner. If you'd rather keep things simple, our Complete Pet Grooming Kit has everything you need in one set. Ten minutes a few times a week is all it takes.
10. Watch for What's Underfoot
Hot pavements aren't the only ground-level hazard in summer. Freshly treated lawns can carry herbicides and pesticides that are harmful if your dog walks through them and then licks their paws. Sand at the beach can burn just like tarmac. And after any swim, whether it's the sea, a lake, or a paddling pool, always rinse your dog off to remove salt, chlorine, or anything else that could irritate their skin.
Paw care becomes especially important during the hotter months. Checking your dog's pads after every walk for redness, cracking, or blistering takes seconds and can catch problems before they become painful. Our PawSpa Automatic Paw Cleaner makes post-walk cleanup quick and easy, removing dirt, grit, and anything your dog may have picked up on the walk.
Watch for What's Underfoot
If your dog loves cooling off in water during the summer months, keeping them safe around lakes, rivers, and the coast is just as important as keeping them cool. Not every dog is a strong swimmer, and currents can catch even confident dogs off guard. Our Dog Life Jacket provides built-in buoyancy so your dog can enjoy the water safely all summer long.
Summer Should Be Fun for Both of You
None of this is about wrapping your dog in cotton wool or dreading every sunny day. It's about being smart with timing, staying aware of the signs, and making a few small adjustments that keep your dog comfortable and safe so you can both enjoy the season.
The dogs that get into trouble in summer are almost always the ones whose owners didn't realise how quickly things can go wrong. Now you know. Walk early, keep water flowing, create a cool spot at home, and know the signs of heatstroke before you ever need them.
Your dog relies entirely on you to make safe decisions for them in extreme weather. That's a responsibility, but it's also a pretty straightforward one. Stay cool out there. 🐾
Browse our full range at ScritchPets and get your dog set up for the heat.