How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer (+ Heatstroke Warning Signs)
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Quick answer: Keep your dog cool in summer by giving them constant shade and fresh water, a cooling mat or elevated cot to rest on, walks only in the early morning or evening (never midday pavement), and never leaving them in a parked car. Just as important: know the warning signs of heatstroke — heavy panting, drooling, bright-red gums, and lethargy — because it turns dangerous fast.
Apollo is a white husky in summer — so trust me, we take heat seriously around here. Dogs don't cool down the way we do, and a hot afternoon can go from uncomfortable to an emergency quickly. Here's how to keep your best friend cool and safe.
Why dogs overheat so easily
Dogs barely sweat — they shed heat mostly by panting, which isn't very efficient when it's hot and humid. That's why they overheat far faster than people do. Flat-faced breeds, thick or dark coats, seniors, puppies, and overweight dogs are at even higher risk.
Know the warning signs of heatstroke (this is the important part)
Catching it early saves lives. Watch for:
- Heavy, frantic, or non-stop panting
- Excessive drooling
- Bright red, dark, or pale gums
- Lethargy, stumbling, or confusion
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Collapse
If you see these, treat it as an emergency: move your dog to shade or AC, offer water, cool them with room-temperature (not ice-cold) water over the body, and call your vet right away. Don't wait to "see if it passes."
How to keep your dog cool all summer
- Shade + airflow. Give them a cool place off the hot ground. A pressure-activated cooling mat pulls heat away with no water or power, and an elevated cot with a UV canopy keeps them off the scorching ground with air moving underneath.
- Water, everywhere. Multiple bowls of fresh water; refresh often. Some dogs drink more from moving water.
- Walk early or late — and test the pavement. Press the back of your hand to the ground; if you can't hold it for 7 seconds, it's too hot for their paws. Stick to grass and shade.
- Let them splash. A shallow foldable dog pool is an easy way to cool down on a hot afternoon.
- Never leave a dog in a parked car. Even with windows cracked, the inside heats to deadly temperatures in minutes.
Build a summer cool-down kit
The simplest setup is shade + hydration + a cool surface. We bundle the cooling essentials in the Beat the Heat collection — mat, elevated cot, and pool — and you save 15% when you grab any two. 🇺🇸 Everything in it ships fast from the USA.
Apollo's rule of summer: find the coolest spot, stay hydrated, and don't do anything strenuous until the sun goes down. Stay cool out there. 🤍🐾
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?
Heavy or frantic panting, drooling, bright red or pale gums, lethargy or confusion, vomiting or diarrhea, and collapse. Heatstroke is an emergency: move your dog to shade, offer water, cool them with room-temperature (not ice-cold) water, and call your vet immediately.
How do I keep my dog cool in summer?
Give shade and airflow, plenty of fresh water, a cooling mat or elevated cot to lie on, and walk only in the early morning or evening. Never leave a dog in a parked car. On hot afternoons a shallow pool helps too.
What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?
Take care above about 77°F (25°C); above ~85°F (29°C) it gets risky, especially on pavement. Use the 7-second test: press the back of your hand to the pavement — if you can't hold it for 7 seconds, it's too hot for their paws. Walk early or after sunset instead.
Do cooling mats actually work for dogs?
Yes. A pressure-activated gel cooling mat draws heat away as your dog lies on it — no water, no freezing, no electricity, and it recharges itself. It's one of the easiest ways to give a dog a cool spot indoors, in a crate, or traveling.
Which dogs are most at risk of overheating?
Flat-faced breeds (bulldogs, pugs), thick- and dark-coated dogs, overweight dogs, puppies, seniors, and dogs with heart or breathing conditions. They need extra care and should never be exercised in the heat.