Helping Your Dog Stay Cool in the Heat: Cooling, Walks, and Summer Care

Summer brings sunshine, longer days, and more time outdoors-but for our dogs, heat can be a serious challenge. Dogs don’t sweat like humans and rely mostly on panting to regulate their body temperature. Overheating can lead to discomfort, heatstroke, or even death.

Fortunately, with the right approach, you can keep your dog safe, happy, and cool even in the hottest months.

In this blog, we’ll cover how to support your dog in the heat, including best practices for cooling, walking, and grooming.

1. How Dogs Regulate Heat-and Why It’s Risky

Dogs cool down primarily through:

• Panting

• Sweating through their paw pads

• Lying on cool surfaces

However, these methods aren’t very effective in extreme temperatures or for certain breeds (like brachycephalic dogs-Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers), seniors, puppies, or overweight dogs.

That’s why your help is essential.

2. Safe Walking in the Heat

Best Time to Walk

• Avoid walking your dog between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM-this is when the pavement and air are hottest.

• Ideal time for walks: early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late evening (after 7:00 PM).

Check the Pavement

Do the “7-second rule”: place your hand or bare foot on the pavement. If it’s too hot for you-it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.

If you must walk:

• Choose grassy or shaded paths.

• Use protective paw balms or dog booties.

• Keep the walk shorter and slower than usual.

  
  

3. Cooling Techniques at Home

Provide Shade and Fresh Water

• Always ensure your dog has access to a shady, ventilated area.

Cooling Mats and Towels

• Use special cooling mats or simply dampen a towel and let your dog lie on it.

• Never place a wet towel on top of the dog-it may trap heat instead of releasing it.

Fans and Air Conditioning

• Fans can help-but air conditioning is the best choice for flat-faced or heat-sensitive breeds.

• You can also freeze toys or treats (like broth cubes or frozen carrots) for enrichment and cooling.

  
  

4. Grooming and Coat Care in Summer

Regular brushing helps remove loose fur and improves airflow to the skin, especially for double-coated breeds (like Huskies or Golden Retrievers).

Important: Never shave double-coated dogs-their fur protects them from both heat and sunburn. Trimming is okay, but full shaving can damage coat function.

For long-haired breeds, light trimming by a professional groomer can help-but always leave enough fur for protection.

5. Warning Signs of Overheating

Watch for:

• Excessive panting

• Drooling

• Bright red gums or tongue

• Weakness or confusion

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Collapse

What to do: Move your dog to a cool area, offer water, and place cool (not icy) damp cloths on paws and belly. If symptoms persist-go to a vet immediately. Heatstroke is a medical emergency.

Conclusion

Dogs rely on us to help them manage the heat. With simple adjustments-walking at the right time, offering cooling options, and maintaining coat care-you can keep your dog safe and happy all summer long.

Remember: prevention is key. When in doubt, it’s better to skip a walk than to risk overheating. A cool dog is a healthy dog!