Keeping Their Cool: How to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs This Summer

Most of us love a warm summer's day. And most dogs do too, right up until the point where things tip from "glorious" to "dangerous" very quickly indeed.

Here's the thing about heatstroke in dogs: it can kill a dog in as little as 15 minutes. It doesn't take a 35°C heatwave. A short walk on a warm June morning, a car journey with the windows cracked, or an afternoon napping in a sunny conservatory can be enough.

UK summers have become increasingly unpredictable. We go from grey skies and drizzle to sweltering heat in the space of a few days, and that catches a lot of owners completely off guard. Their dog was perfectly fine last week on the exact same walk. This week, it's different.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: how to spot heatstroke before it becomes an emergency, what to do if you think your dog is overheating, and the one cooling mistake that could actually make things worse.

Before we get to heatstroke itself, let's talk about the pavement beneath your dog's paws. Because hot tarmac is one of the most overlooked summer hazards for dogs.

Use the five-second rule. Place the back of your hand flat on the pavement and hold it there for five seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Paw pads can blister and burn on hot tarmac in a matter of minutes, and a dog in pain from burned paws is also a dog at much higher risk of overheating.

As a general guide, when air temperature reaches 25°C, tarmac can be as hot as 52°C. At 30°C outside, the ground beneath your dog's feet may be pushing 60°C or higher.

Walk early in the morning or after sunset during warm weather. Not just for the tarmac, but because the air temperature is lower and the risk of overheating during the walk itself is significantly reduced. This is one of the simplest summer dog safety tips you can follow, and it costs nothing.

Most owners know that panting is a sign of a warm dog. But by the time panting becomes laboured and desperate, your dog may already be in serious trouble.

The early signs are easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for.

Early signs to watch for:

• Excessive, heavy panting that sounds louder or more urgent than normal

• Restlessness, pacing, or an inability to settle

• Drooling more than usual

• Slight wobbliness or reluctance to keep moving

• Seeking shade or trying to lie down in cool spots

These signs mean your dog is working very hard to regulate their temperature. This is your window to act before things escalate.

Advanced signs that mean you need to act immediately:

• Dark red or very bright pink gums. Healthy gums should be a normal bubblegum pink. Any change in colour is a serious warning.

• Thick, sticky saliva that looks almost ropy or stringy, rather than the normal thin drool.

• Glassy or unfocused eyes. Your dog may look "absent" or have a glazed expression.

• Unsteadiness or collapse. A dog that stumbles, falls, or cannot stand is in a medical emergency.

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Seizures in the most severe cases

If you're seeing any of the advanced signs, you are dealing with an emergency. Move to a cool space immediately, begin cooling (see below), and call your vet or an emergency vet clinic straight away. Do not wait to see if they improve on their own.

Certain dogs are at higher risk of dog heatstroke symptoms developing quickly. Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs are especially vulnerable because their anatomy makes efficient panting much harder. Older dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs with heart or respiratory conditions are also at greater risk.

The most important thing to know is this: cool first, transport second. This is the current guidance from the Royal Veterinary College, and it matters because the longer a dog stays hot, the greater the risk of lasting damage to the brain, kidneys, and other organs.

You may have seen advice online telling you to only use lukewarm or tepid water. This is outdated. Current veterinary guidance is clear that cold water does not cause shock in an overheated dog, and that rapid cooling gives your dog the best chance of recovery.

The right way to cool down a dog:

1. Move your dog to a cool, shaded area or indoors with air conditioning if possible.

2. Pour or hose cold water over their whole body. Cold tap water is absolutely fine. For young, healthy dogs, immersion in cold water is recommended if safe and practical.

3. Use a fan or ensure air is moving over them. The combination of water and airflow (evaporative cooling) is the most effective method.

4. Offer small amounts of water to drink, but do not force it.

5. Do not drape a wet towel over them and leave it sitting on their coat. A static wet covering can reduce airflow and slow cooling. Keep the water moving or running.

6. Call your vet as soon as you start cooling. Let them know you are on your way. Continue cooling during the journey if possible.

For older dogs, dogs with heart conditions, or dogs that are unconscious, pouring water of any temperature that is cooler than the dog combined with airflow is the recommended approach. If in doubt, call your vet immediately for guidance.

The key principle is simple: use whatever cold water you have available, as quickly as possible, and get to a vet.

Prevention really is so much easier than treatment. These summer dog safety habits are straightforward to build into your routine.

Fresh water, always.

Dogs need constant access to clean, fresh water, especially in warm weather. On hot days, check their bowl more frequently and consider adding a second water source in the garden or a shaded spot indoors. A well-hydrated dog handles heat better than one that's been relying on a bowl that ran dry mid-afternoon.

Shade is non-negotiable.

If your dog spends time in the garden, make sure there is always a shaded area available to them. The sun moves throughout the day, so a patch of shade at 9am may be full sun by noon. Check throughout the day.

Never leave your dog in a car.

Even on a mildly warm day, a car parked in the sun can reach 47°C within an hour. Cracking the windows makes very little difference. There is no errand that is worth the risk.

Adjust exercise on warm days.

A dog that is used to an hour's walk every day still needs exercise, but they don't need the same intensity in 28°C heat. Shorter, slower walks during the coolest parts of the day are genuinely enough. Wondering how much exercise is too much? Take a look at our guide on whether you can overexercise your dog, which covers the signs that you might be pushing too hard regardless of the temperature.

Watch the breed.

If you have a flat-faced dog, an elderly dog, or a dog with known health issues, apply all of the above even more carefully. Their margin for error is smaller.