To keep a dog cool in summer, give them shade and fresh water all day, walk in the early morning or late evening, keep them off hot pavement, and never leave them in a parked car. Indoors, a cooling mat or a raised mesh cot gives them a cooler place to lie. Know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, bright red gums, wobbliness or collapse mean you call your vet right away.
Dogs don't sweat the way we do. The AKC says they shed heat mainly by panting and by widening blood vessels near the skin, which is why a hot, humid day or a closed car can overwhelm them fast. Most summer safety comes down to a few habits, with a bit of gear to make the cool spots more inviting.
Who needs extra care in the heat
The AKC lists the dogs at higher risk: puppies, seniors, overweight dogs, dogs with health conditions such as heart disease or laryngeal paralysis, and short-snouted breeds. The ASPCA adds that flat-faced pets can't pant as effectively, and suggests keeping them, along with older, overweight and heart- or lung-affected pets, in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
Do French bulldogs overheat?
They're one of the breeds to be most careful with. French bulldogs are short-snouted, the group the AKC and ASPCA both flag. Keep walks short and cool, skip midday play, and keep AC or the coolest room available. Our French bulldog gear guide covers harnesses that keep pressure off the neck.
Do golden retrievers run hot?
Goldens have a thick double coat and love to keep going in the heat. Don't shave it: the ASPCA says you can trim longer hair but never shave, because the coat's layers protect against overheating and sunburn. Regular brushing to clear loose undercoat is the better summer job.
How to keep a dog cool in summer: 8 steps
- Water everywhere. The ASPCA says to give pets plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot or humid, because they can dehydrate quickly. Put a bowl in every room your dog uses, and one in the shade outside.
- Shade, always. Any time outdoors, your dog needs real shade to retreat to. A covered porch beats a sunny lawn every time.
- Move walks to the cool hours. Early morning and late evening. Shorten them on hot, humid days.
- Check the pavement. The ASPCA warns not to let dogs linger on hot asphalt: being close to the ground, they heat up fast, and paw pads can burn. Our rule of thumb: if the pavement's too hot for the back of your hand, it's too hot for paws. Walk on grass.
- Go easy on exercise. The AKC points out dogs will happily keep playing fetch in triple-digit heat. You have to be the one who stops.
- Give them a cool place to lie. A cooling mat on a hard floor, or a raised mesh cot that lets air under their belly.
- Never leave them in a parked car. Not for a minute. The AKC says heatstroke can develop within minutes in enclosed spaces like cars, and the ASPCA notes leaving pets in a parked vehicle is illegal in several states.
- Watch for the signs in the box below, and act early.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about your dog, talk to your vet. Heatstroke is an emergency. The AKC lists early signs including heavy panting, rapid breathing, bright red gums and tongue, skin hot to the touch, a fast heart rate and difficulty keeping their balance. More severe signs include pale or bluish gums, muscle tremors, unwillingness to move, and collapse. If you see any of these, call your vet or the nearest emergency vet now and follow their instructions on the way. The AKC says a vet visit is essential even if your dog seems to recover, because heatstroke can cause damage you can't see.
How to keep a dog cool without AC
Most homes can stay dog-safe without air conditioning on ordinary summer days, with a bit of planning:
- Pick the coolest room. Lower floors and the shady side of the house are usually coolest. Close blinds on sunny windows in the morning.
- Hard floors help. Many dogs will choose cool tile over a bed in summer. Leave some floor clear for them.
- Add a cooling mat in that room (picks below).
- Keep water topped up and in the shade.
- Plan the day around the heat. Play and walks early and late, quiet time in the afternoon.
If your dog is one of the higher-risk groups above, or it's a heat wave, a few hours somewhere air-conditioned is safer than toughing it out.
How to keep a dog cool during a power outage
Same principles, no plugs: the coolest room, curtains drawn, plenty of water and a calm afternoon. A gel or water-filled pad needs no power, though it will only stay as cool as its surroundings. If the house is getting hot and your dog is at higher risk, move them somewhere cooler: a friend's home, or anywhere with power and AC.
How to keep a dog cool outside
- Shade that moves with the sun. Check where the shadows will be at 3 p.m., not just now.
- A raised cot, not a cushion. A mesh cot lets air reach your dog's belly. Put it in the shade: TechGearLab found a dark-colored cot lost much of its cooling effect in direct sun.
- Water in a heavy bowl that can't tip.
- Short stints. On very hot days, the ASPCA suggests keeping pets indoors.
More picks for patios and yards are in our best outdoor dog bed guide.
How to keep a dog cool in the car
While you're driving: run the AC before your dog gets in, use window shades on the back windows, bring water and a bowl, and stop for shade breaks. A frozen mat helps on long trips (the Cooler Dog mat below is built for that). And when you stop, your dog comes with you, every time.
Gear that helps
These are the picks we'd start with. Each one makes a cool spot more inviting; none of them replaces shade, water and common sense.
The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad (best mat indoors)
A pressure-activated gel mat: no fridge, no power. Dog Gear Review used a thermal camera and found the surface under the dog stayed as cool as the rest of the mat after five minutes, and the trainer at DogKind Training found their dogs preferred it out of four mat types. The maker says it cools for up to 3 hours and recharges in 15 to 20 minutes off the dog. Sizes run from XS (up to 8 lb) to XL (80 lb and up). Use it indoors or in shade, and supervise a chewer: the gel is inside.
Cooler Dog Hydro Cooling Mat (best for the car and outdoor waits)
A sheet of 88 freezable cubes in an insulated cover. Dog Gear Review used it through three summers of search-and-rescue training and found it stayed cool to the touch for 3 to 5 hours; one cube punctured in that time. It needs a freezer and a cooler bag, and the single mat is small for a medium dog.
K&H Coolin' Pet Pad (no gel, no power)
Water-filled, so there's no gel. K&H says it draws heat away into the air and stays at the room's temperature, so it's only as cool as the room. Best on wood or tile floors. Hand-wash only.
Coolaroo Original Elevated Pet Bed (best raised cot)
A knitted HDPE fabric stretched on a steel frame. In TechGearLab's breathability test it was one of the two highest-scoring beds of eight. It hoses clean; TechGearLab found the fabric a bit scratchy. The Large is rated to 100 lb. For heavier dogs, the K&H Original Elevated Pet Cot has a mesh center, a steel frame and a 300 lb rating; Canine Journal names it its best elevated bed. Both are compared in our best elevated dog bed guide.
FAQs
How hot is too hot for a dog?
There's no single number, because humidity, sun, exercise and your dog's breed, age and weight all matter. The AKC says heatstroke can develop within minutes in hot, humid weather or confined spaces. On hot days, keep exercise short and early, and watch your dog rather than the thermometer.
Do fans keep dogs cool?
A fan moves air, which helps a little, but dogs cool mainly by panting rather than sweating, so a fan alone won't keep a dog cool in a hot room. Use it alongside shade, water and a cool floor or mat.
Should I shave my dog for summer?
No. The ASPCA says to trim longer hair if you like, but never shave, because the coat's layers protect against overheating and sunburn.
Are cooling mats safe for dogs?
Generally, with sensible use. Gel mats aren't for unsupervised chewers, and The Green Pet Shop says to use its pad indoors or in shade. A frozen mat can be very cold, so let your dog choose when to lie on it.
How do I keep my dog cool on walks?
Walk early or late, stick to grass and shade, bring water, and shorten the route on humid days. If your dog lags, pants hard or looks for shade, head home.
Shade, water, the right time of day and a cool place to lie: get those four right and your dog will get through summer in comfort.
