7 tips to keep your dog cool in summer

Key points:

• Dogs primarily regulate their temperature by panting and only sweat through their paw pads, making them particularly sensitive to temperatures above 30°C (86°F).
  
  
• In summer, asphalt can exceed 50°C (122°F) and cause burns within minutes. Remember that your dog is much closer to the ground than you are.
  
  
• Regular hydration and walks during the coolest hours of the day help significantly reduce the risk of heatstroke.
  

In summer, our faithful companions do not regulate their body temperature the same way we do.
Periods of extreme heat or heatwaves can quickly become uncomfortable, or even dangerous, if not managed properly.

Fortunately, a few simple rules can help your dog get through the summer safely. In return, you may sometimes need to adapt certain habits that are well-established in your daily life.

Every dog is different: some tolerate heat better than others. Beyond just breed, age, health status, weight, coat color, and activity level all strongly influence their sensitivity to high temperatures.
Stay attentive to your companion's behavior so you can learn to recognize their limits.

How to cool down your dog when it's too hot?

1. Provide cool places

On walks

Prioritize shaded paths, wooded areas, and places where your dog can access natural water sources such as streams, rivers, or the sea.

A cooling vest can also be an excellent solution for heat-sensitive dogs.

At home

Drafts, fans, tile floors, or even cooling mats are valuable allies.

Always let your dog choose where they want to rest: they will naturally seek out the coolest areas in their environment.

2. Do not walk your dog in the middle of the day

During periods of extreme heat, strictly avoid walks during the hottest hours of the day.

Asphalt can reach temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F) and cause burns to the paw pads in just a few minutes.
If you cannot place your hand on the ground for several seconds, your dog should not walk on it.

Also, keep in mind that your dog measures roughly 50cm at the withers, so they are very close to the ground and its extreme temperatures.

Opt for outings early in the morning, ideally before 7:00 AM, and in the evening after 6:00 PM or whenever temperatures begin to drop.

3. Reduce physical exertion

Your dog will naturally decrease their activity when temperatures rise. This behavior is perfectly normal.

Do not force them to run, play, or exert themselves more than they want to. Respecting their pace allows them to better manage their body temperature.

It is also common for them to have less appetite during hot periods. As long as they remain healthy and maintain sufficient hydration, a slight decrease in food consumption is generally not a cause for concern.

4. Hydration: an essential role

It may seem obvious, but this advice is sometimes neglected: your dog must have access to fresh water at all times.

During your outings, remember to carry a portable dog water bottle and offer them a drink regularly, even if they don't ask for it.

At home, refresh the water in their bowl frequently so that it remains cool and pleasant to drink. You can also place multiple water stations in different rooms of the house.

5. Regular brushing is indispensable

Your dog's coat provides genuine thermal protection, both against the cold and against the heat. It also plays a protective role against the sun's rays.

Contrary to popular belief, shaving a dog is generally not a good solution. It can even decrease their ability to protect themselves from heat and increase the risk of sunburn.

However, regular brushing is highly recommended. It helps remove dead hair, aerate the coat, and promote better air circulation against the skin.

For dogs with long or thick coats, daily brushing (up to 2x / day) can be particularly beneficial during the summer.

Check out our dog brushes.

6. Occupation toys… frozen!

If your dog spends a large part of the day indoors — which is often preferable during heatwave episodes — it is important to keep them mentally stimulated.

Occupation toys can be placed in the freezer to combine enrichment and cooling.

Some ideas:

• A licking mat topped with plain, unsweetened yogurt and then frozen.
• A Kong filled with wet food, dog-safe cream cheese, or frozen canned food.
• Frozen treats specially designed for dogs.
• Pieces of fruit safe for their diet (seedless watermelon, melon, cucumber) served chilled.

A calm and cooling activity is often much better suited than an intense play session during hot weather.

7. Avoid prolonged exertion, even in the shade

Shade reduces direct sun exposure, but it does not eliminate the risks associated with heat.

Even in a shaded park or forest, your dog can quickly overheat if they play intensely or run for a long period.

Limit play sessions to 10 or 15 minutes and closely observe their behavior. Excessive panting, unusual fatigue, moving more slowly, or constantly seeking out cool spots are all signals that it is time to take a break.

Always plan for recovery periods in a cool spot and offer them water regularly.

During intense heat, prioritize calm activities like observation exercises, treat searching, scent games, or occupation toys rather than throwing toys or repetitive running.

Things to remember: Temperature inside a car parked in the sun

Outside temperature	After 5 min	After 15 min	After 30 min
20°C	25°C	30°C	36°C
25°C	30°C	38°C	46°C
30°C	35°C	44°C	54°C
35°C	41°C	50°C	61°C

Even with the windows slightly open, the internal temperature increases very rapidly.
There is no "risk-free" amount of time to leave a dog in a car in summer, not even for a few minutes.

How do dogs sweat in summer?

Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat across their entire body.

Their sweat glands are mainly located on their paw pads, which only allows them to release a small amount of heat.

Panting: their main cooling system

To regulate their body temperature, dogs primarily use panting.

When they breathe rapidly, the moisture on their tongue, in their mouth, and in their respiratory tract evaporates. This phenomenon helps their body dissipate excess heat.

This is why a dog:

• Pants more when it is hot.
• Breathes faster after exertion.
• Naturally seeks out cool places to rest.

Why are they more sensitive to heat?

The dog's cooling system is much less efficient than human perspiration.

When temperatures become very high or exertion is too strenuous, their body can quickly struggle to dissipate heat.

It is for this reason that dogs are particularly exposed to the risk of heatstroke, especially during heatwaves.

Walks during cool hours, permanent access to water, and limiting physical exertion are therefore essential to help them get through the summer safely.

Heatstroke in dogs

Beware of heatstroke; it is a veterinary emergency that can put your dog's life in danger in a very short time.

Heatstroke symptoms

Warning signs are:

• Very heavy and continuous panting.
  
  
• Abundant and thick saliva.
  
  
• Extreme fatigue.
  
  
• Disorientation.
  
  
• Vomiting or diarrhea.
  
  
• Difficulty moving.
  
  
• Loss of consciousness.

Heatstroke in dogs: what to do?

Take your dog to the nearest veterinarian immediately; this is a life-threatening emergency. To transport your faithful companion, wrap them in a cool, damp towel.

In the event of heatstroke, every minute counts. Your veterinarian will implement the necessary care to protect the most sensitive organs and limit the risk of irreversible damage.

Memorandum: 10 effective solutions to cool your dog in summer

Solution	Explanation
Leave fresh water available at all times	Proper hydration helps the dog regulate its body temperature and limits the risk of heatstroke.
Walk your dog during the coolest hours	Favor outings early in the morning and in the evening to avoid extreme heat and burning asphalt.
Use a cooling mat	Placed in their resting area, it absorbs some body heat and provides an immediate feeling of coolness.
Let your dog swim	Swimming in a lake, river, or the sea are excellent ways to cool them down naturally.
Limit physical exertion	Intensive games, running, and long hikes significantly increase body temperature.
Keep your home cool	Close shutters during the hottest hours and encourage cross-ventilation to maintain a pleasant indoor temperature.
Use a cooling vest	Ideal for summer walks, it helps the dog better tolerate the heat through evaporative cooling.
Offer frozen enrichment toys	A Kong or a lick mat placed in the freezer helps both occupy and cool your dog for several minutes.
Wet the belly, paws, and paw pads	These areas with less fur facilitate heat exchange and help lower their temperature gradually.
Seek shade when outdoors	Shaded areas allow the dog to protect themselves from the sun and stay cooler.

Conclusion

Summer shouldn't stop your dog from enjoying their daily life, but it is essential to adjust certain habits when temperatures rise. Walks during cooler hours, sufficient hydration, resting areas in the shade, and moderate physical activity are all simple actions that contribute to their well-being.

Thank you for reading!