There is a particular look a dog gives you in high summer — flat on the coolest tile in the house, one eyebrow raised, entirely unwilling to negotiate about a walk. I know that look well. The dog who runs my household has perfected it.
Summer is wonderful for dogs in so many ways: longer evenings, open doors, the smell of warm grass. But heat is one of the few things that can turn from lovely to genuinely dangerous faster than most of us expect. The good news is that keeping your dog safe through the warm months mostly comes down to a handful of small, kind habits. Here's everything I've learned about doing it well.
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Why heat is harder on dogs than on us
Dogs don't sweat the way we do. They cool themselves mostly by panting and through a little sweating in their paw pads — and that system is far less efficient than ours. A dog can't simply peel off a layer or wipe their forehead. So on a hot, humid day, a dog can overheat surprisingly quickly, especially if they're excited, exercising, or shut somewhere with poor airflow.
Some dogs feel it more than others. Flat-faced breeds — pugs, French and English bulldogs, boxers — struggle the most, because their shorter airways make panting less effective. Older dogs, puppies, very fluffy dogs, and dogs carrying extra weight are also more vulnerable. If your dog is in any of those groups, it's worth being extra watchful.
The signs of heatstroke — please learn these
This is the one section to actually commit to memory, because catching it early makes all the difference. Watch for:
- Heavy, frantic panting that doesn't settle
- Thick, sticky drool
- Bright red or very dark gums and tongue
- Wobbliness, confusion, or sudden weakness
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Collapse
If you see these, treat it as an emergency. Move your dog to shade, offer (don't force) cool water, wet their fur and paws with cool — not ice-cold — water, and get to a vet straight away. Heatstroke can become life-threatening within minutes, and a vet would much rather see you for a false alarm than too late.
The everyday habits that keep summer safe
Walk early, walk late. The midday sun is the enemy. Shift your walks to early morning and the cool of the evening. Your dog will be happier, and so will your own skin.
Do the pavement test. Asphalt and sand can get hot enough to burn paw pads while the air still feels pleasant to you. Press the back of your hand flat to the ground for seven seconds. If you can't hold it there comfortably, it's too hot for your dog's feet. Stick to grass and shade, or wait.
Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car. Not for "just a minute," not with the windows cracked. The inside of a car can climb to deadly temperatures in well under ten minutes, even on a day that doesn't feel that hot. There's no safe version of this one.
Water, water, everywhere. Keep fresh, cool water available at all times, and bring some with you whenever you head out. A collapsible travel water bowl lives permanently clipped to my walking bag from May onward — it weighs nothing and I've been grateful for it more times than I can count.
Make shade and airflow easy to find. If your dog spends time in the garden, make sure there's real shade that moves with the sun, not just a patch that disappears by noon. Indoors, a fan or a spot near a cool floor does wonders.
A few small comforts worth having
You don't need much, but a couple of well-chosen things make hot days genuinely easier:
- A cooling mat — the pressure-activated kind needs no electricity or freezer, and many dogs flop straight onto it with an audible sigh of relief.
- A cooling vest or bandana you soak in water for longer outings.
- A shallow paddling pool for dogs who love water — endlessly entertaining and a brilliant way to cool down.
- Paw balm to soothe and protect pads that take a beating on warm ground.
Two myths worth clearing up
Don't shave a double-coated dog. It feels intuitive, but breeds like huskies, retrievers, and shepherds rely on that coat to insulate against heat and shield their skin from the sun. Shaving them down can actually make overheating and sunburn worse. Brush out the loose undercoat instead — regular grooming is what helps, not clippers.
Light-coated dogs can sunburn. Dogs with thin or pale fur, pink noses, or bald bellies can burn just like we do, particularly on the nose, ear tips, and tummy. Keep them in shade during peak hours, and ask your vet about a pet-safe sunscreen for the exposed bits.
Little joys for hot afternoons
Summer care isn't all caution. Some of my favorite slow-day rituals are the cooling treats: a frozen lick mat smeared with a little plain yogurt and frozen, ice cubes dropped into the water bowl as a surprise, or a stuffed toy frozen with broth. They turn a sweltering afternoon into something a dog looks forward to.
And don't forget that warm weather wakes up the fleas and ticks, so keep your dog's parasite protection current — a quick check after walks in long grass takes seconds and saves a lot of trouble.
That's really the whole of it: cool water, careful timing, shade, and an eye out for the warning signs. Do those few things and summer becomes what it should be — long, lazy, and shared with the best company there is.
Want more seasonal care guides like this one? They land first in my newsletter, The Goodest Place — along with new stories and the occasional photo of the dog who inspires all of it.
And if you're after a good read for a shady afternoon, wander over to my best dog books page.