Hot Weather and Dogs -What Every Owner Needs to Know This Summer
Home »
The sun is out, the paddling pools are up, and the UK is in full heatwave mode. And while most of us are quietly delighted about it, our dogs? They’re struggling more than they’re letting on.
Here’s everything you need to know to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and happy when the temperature climbs – without the jargon, without the lectures, and with a few things that might genuinely surprise you.
Your dog can’t sweat. Seriously.
Let’s start with the big one, because once you understand this, everything else makes sense.
When you get hot, you sweat. It’s not glamorous, but it works – moisture evaporates from your skin and cools you down. Your dog cannot do this. They have a tiny number of sweat glands, but only on their paw pads, and it’s nowhere near enough to cool their whole body.
Instead, dogs regulate their temperature by panting. Every time your dog pants, they’re evaporating moisture from their tongue and airways to try to cool themselves down. It works – up to a point. But on a genuinely hot day, panting simply can’t keep up. Their body temperature rises, and if nothing changes, it can rise to a dangerous level very quickly.
This is why hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable for dogs. It can be deadly. And it can happen faster than most people realise.
When should you walk your dog in a heatwave?
The short answer: early morning or early evening. That’s it.
Early morning: before 8am if you can manage it – is the golden window. The air is cooler, the ground hasn’t had chance to bake yet, and your dog can actually enjoy the walk rather than just surviving it.
Early evening: after 7pm, ideally later – is the second option. But there’s a catch: the ground holds heat long after the sun goes down. Pavements, tarmac, and sand that have been baking all day can stay dangerously hot well into the evening. More on that in a moment.
The hours to avoid: 10am to 6pm. If the sun is high and the temperature is at its peak, your dog does not need to go for a walk. A potter in the garden, a sniff around the back yard, a cool spot indoors – that’s plenty. A long walk in the midday heat isn’t exercise; it’s a health risk.
The pavement test – please do this before every walk
Here is one of the most important habits you can build this summer, and it takes about five seconds.
Before you take your dog out, place the back of your hand flat on the pavement and hold it there for seven seconds.
If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
This matters because dog paws look tough, but the skin on the bottom of them is sensitive – and hot tarmac can cause real burns in as little as sixty seconds. Your dog won’t always tell you. They might keep walking on burning paws simply because they want to stay with you, or because the adrenaline of being outside masks the pain. By the time you notice them limping, the damage is already done.
Sand is just as bad, by the way – often worse. If you’re heading to the beach in Bournemouth or Poole, the sand in the middle of the day can reach temperatures that would genuinely shock you. The pavement test works on sand too.
If you can’t hold your hand, there for seven seconds – don’t take your dog out. Simple as that.
Water, water, and more water
Dogs need access to fresh, cool water at all times in hot weather – not just at mealtimes, not just when you remember, but constantly.
A few easy wins:
At home: put out more bowls than usual and refill them regularly. Water warms up fast in a heatwave and a dog won’t always drink warm water even if they’re thirsty.
On walks: bring a bottle and a collapsible bowl. There are great lightweight ones that clip onto a lead or bag. Don’t rely on finding a public water source, especially on the beach.
Ice: a few ice cubes in the water bowl is a simple way to keep it cooler for longer. Many dogs also enjoy licking ice cubes as a treat, which is a nice way to get extra fluids into them.
Paddling pools: a small paddling pool in the garden filled with a few inches of cool water is brilliant for dogs that like water. Even dogs that don’t swim will often stand in one to cool their paws, which makes a real difference.
Please, please don’t leave your dog in the car
You already know this. But every summer it happens, so it’s worth saying again.
On a 22°C day, the inside of a car can reach 47°C within an hour. On a 25°C day, it can get there in under thirty minutes. Cracking a window open makes almost no difference. Parking in the shade helps a little, but the car will still heat up to dangerous levels.
There is no errand short enough to make it worth it. If you’re going somewhere your dog can’t come with you, leave them at home.
If you ever see a dog in distress in a hot car, you can call 999. The police can authorise entry into the vehicle.
Signs of heatstroke – know what to look for
Heatstroke in dogs is an emergency. It can develop quickly and it can be fatal. The earlier you spot it, the better the outcome.
Signs to watch for:
- Heavy, frantic panting that doesn’t slow down
- Drooling much more than usual
- Bright red or very pale gums
- Wobbly legs or collapsing
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Glazed eyes or seeming confused or distant
If you see any of these, move your dog to a cool, shaded spot immediately. Pour cool (not ice cold) water over them – focus on their neck, armpits, and groin. Let them drink small amounts if they want to. Then call your vet straight away, even if they seem to be recovering. Heatstroke causes internal damage that isn’t always visible from the outside.
A few other quick wins for hot days
Wet a towel and let your dog lie on it. A damp towel on a cool floor is a simple, effective way to help them regulate their temperature.
Close the curtains during the hottest part of the day. Keeping rooms darker keeps them cooler – good for you and your dog.
Don’t shave double-coated dogs. It feels counterintuitive, but a dog’s double coat actually helps regulate their temperature in both directions. Shaving it off can make things worse, not better, and disrupts the coat’s natural function. A good brush-out to remove loose undercoat is a much better option.
Frozen treats work a treat. Freeze some plain yoghurt, banana, or peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol) in a Kong or ice cube tray. It keeps them occupied and cool at the same time.
Watch the flat-faced breeds especially closely. Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, and similar breeds have shorter airways which make panting much less effective. They overheat faster and have less margin for error in hot weather. Keep them inside during peak heat wherever possible.
One question for you…
Would you head down to Bournemouth beach at midday in this heat? In flip flops, with no water, for a brisk hour-long walk?
No? Thought not.
So why do we do it to our dogs?
They can’t tell you they’re too hot. They can’t ask for a water break. They can’t kick off their shoes when the sand starts burning. They just keep going, because you’re going, and being with you is the only thing on their mind.
They trust you completely. That’s a lovely thing – and it’s also a responsibility.
So next time the sun is blazing and the lead comes out, just take thirty seconds to think: would I want to do this right now? If the answer is no, your dog probably feels the same way. They’re just too loyal to say so.