Dog Care

Keep Dogs Cool in a UK Heatwave: 7 Steps

Q: What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?

Once it is above about 20C, use the pavement test. Many owners stop hard exercise at 22 to 24C, and anything near 28C with humidity is best kept to the shortest toilet breaks.

Q: Can I shave my dog to keep them cool?

For most breeds the coat insulates against heat, so clipping close can do more harm than good. A groom to remove dead undercoat helps, but talk to a groomer before a full shave, especially for double-coated dogs.

Q: How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?

Lift the scruff at the shoulder and let go; a slow return means low fluids. Sticky gums and fewer toilet trips are other clues. Offer water and, if they will not drink, get them cooled and checked.

By Emma Foster · August 20, 2026

When a UK heatwave lands, dogs feel it harder than we do. They only sweat through their paw pads and cool down mainly by panting, so once the air gets hot and humid that system struggles. The answer up front: keep your dog cool by moving them to shade, giving constant fresh water, limiting walks to early morning or late evening, and using a cooling mat or damp towel. Heatstroke in dogs is an emergency, so prevention is the whole game.

Why dogs overheat so fast

Unlike people, dogs don't have sweat glands across their body. They lose heat by panting and a little through their paw pads, which is a slow process in still, humid air. Brachycephalic breeds (flat faces like Bulldogs and Pugs), puppies, older dogs, and thick-coated breeds are at the highest risk. A car left in the sun, even for a few minutes with the windows cracked, can hit lethal temperatures fast, so the rule is simple: dogs never ride in a hot car.

1. Walk at dawn or dusk, never midday

Pavements store heat and can burn paws. The test is easy: press the back of your hand to the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them. Shift walks to before 8am or after 8pm, keep them short, and skip the run entirely on red-weather days. If your dog needs stimulation indoors, a snuffle mat turns meal time into a sniffing game that tires them out without the heat.

2. Fresh water everywhere, and on the move

Leave several bowls around the house and refresh them through the day. Out on a walk, carry a portable dog water bottle so they can drink before they pant too hard. Add a couple of ice cubes to the bowl at home. Dehydration creeps up quickly in heat, and a dog that won't drink is a dog you need to cool actively.

3. Shade and airflow beat a hot room

Close curtains on the sun-facing side, open windows for a cross breeze, and let them lie on cool tiles or a tiled bathroom floor. A fan helps move air but don't point it straight at them for long periods. If the house is stuffy, the coolest spot is often the ground floor or a tiled kitchen, not an upstairs bedroom.

4. Cooling mats and damp towels

A self-cooling mat gives a dog a place to drop their body temperature without any refrigeration. The Trixie gel cooling mat works well for smaller dogs and crates, while the All For Paws Chill Out mat suits medium dogs that need stronger cooling. Wet a towel with cool (not ice-cold) water and drape it over their belly and armpits for quick relief. The Ancol PCM cooling mat uses phase-change material and is a good pick for heavy-coated breeds that struggle most.

5. Frozen treats and ice lick blocks

Freeze low-salt stock in a Kong, or make an ice block with a KONG Classic toy frozen solid with wet food inside. Licking ice is a slow, cooling activity that also keeps them settled when they'd rather be racing around. Plain ice cubes as a snack are fine for most dogs, though scrape the bowl if they bolt them.

6. Never leave them in a parked car

A parked car is the most common heatstroke scene we see reported. Temperatures inside can climb past 40C within minutes even with a window cracked. If you can't take the dog with you into the shop, they stay home. If you see a dog in distress in a car, UK guidance is to call 999 and, where the animal's life is at immediate risk, to act to free it.

7. Know the signs of heatstroke

Heavy panting that won't settle, drooling, bright red gums, wobbling, vomiting, or collapse are warnings. Move the dog to shade, offer small sips, and pour cool water over the belly, armpits and paws while you call a vet. Don't use ice baths, which can shock the system. The Blue Cross heatstroke guide and your practice's out-of-hours line are worth having saved before a hot spell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?
Once it's above about 20C, watch the pavement test. Many owners stop hard exercise at 22-24C, and anything near 28C with humidity is best kept to the shortest toilet breaks.

Can I shave my dog to keep them cool?
For most breeds the coat actually insulates against heat, so clipping close can do more harm than good. A groom to remove dead undercoat helps, but talk to a groomer before a full shave, especially for double-coated dogs.

How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?
Lift the scruff at the shoulder and let go; slow return means low fluids. Sticky gums and fewer toilet trips are other clues. Offer water and, if they won't drink, get them cooled and checked.

Are some breeds more at risk in heat?
Flat-faced breeds, thick-coated working dogs, puppies and seniors overheat fastest. They need stricter limits on walk times and more shade and water than a lean short-coated dog.

Is a cooling mat worth it?
For a dog that pants through summer evenings, yes. It gives them a drop in body temperature without power or ice, and it's reusable across the whole warm season. The self-cooling and PCM types last longest per session.

Final Verdict

Keeping a dog cool in a UK heatwave comes down to simple habits: walk in the cool hours, keep water within reach, use shade and a cooling mat, and never risk a hot car. The breeds at highest risk need the strictest limits. If you're building a summer kit, start with a portable water bottle for walks and a gel mat for the home, then add frozen Kong sessions to keep them calm. Heatstroke is an emergency, so when in doubt, cool first and call the vet.

This article is general pet-care information based on manufacturer specifications, UK animal-welfare guidance and owner feedback. It is not a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's history.

Emma Foster

Emma writes about pet care for WhoPets - dogs, cats, rabbits and small pets - with practical, evidence-based advice for UK owners.

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Last reviewed: August 20, 2026 · Evidence-based content · Contains affiliate links