Hot weather safety: keeping your dog cool and active in summer

Dogs do not cool themselves the way we do. They cannot sweat through their skin and rely mostly on panting, which makes them far more vulnerable to overheating than people. Every summer, dogs suffer heatstroke that is entirely preventable. A little awareness lets you keep your dog safe while still enjoying the warm months together.

Never leave a dog in a parked car

This is the most important rule of summer. On a warm day, the inside of a car can reach deadly temperatures within minutes, even with the windows cracked and even in the shade. There is no safe amount of time to leave a dog in a parked car in the heat. If you cannot take your dog with you when you leave the vehicle, leave them at home.

Time your walks wisely

Exercise during the coolest parts of the day to protect both your dog's body and their paws.

• Walk early in the morning or later in the evening
• Test pavement with the back of your hand for a few seconds
• If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for their paws
• Stick to grass or shaded paths when you can

Hot asphalt can burn paw pads badly, so when in doubt, choose a cooler surface or a cooler time.

If the ground is too hot for your bare hand, it is too hot for your dog's feet.

Provide shade and fresh water

Whenever your dog is outside, make sure there is constant access to shade and cool, clean water. On very hot days, add ice cubes to the bowl and offer water frequently on outings. A clamshell pool, a wet towel to lie on, or a cooling mat can all help your dog regulate their temperature.

Know the breeds and dogs at highest risk

Flat-faced breeds like pugs and bulldogs, overweight dogs, very young or old dogs, and those with thick coats or health conditions overheat more easily. If your dog falls into one of these groups, be extra cautious and keep activity gentle when it is warm.

Recognize heatstroke

Learn the warning signs so you can act fast: heavy, frantic panting, drooling, bright red gums, weakness, stumbling, vomiting, or collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move your dog to shade, offer small amounts of cool water, wet them with cool, not ice-cold, water, and get to a veterinarian immediately. Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency where minutes matter.

Watch the humidity too

Temperature is only half the story. Dogs cool themselves by panting, which relies on moisture evaporating from their airways, so high humidity makes it much harder for them to shed heat even when the thermometer does not look alarming. On muggy days, cut activity back further than the temperature alone would suggest, and keep a close eye on heavier-coated and flat-faced dogs, who struggle most when the air is thick and damp.

Keep summer fun and safe

You do not have to skip activity all summer. Swap a midday hike for a shaded sniff-walk, a splash in a pool, a frozen stuffed toy, or an indoor training game. With smart timing and simple precautions, your dog can stay cool, comfortable, and happily active all season long.