Overheating, heatstroke, and hyperthermia – whatever you call it, it’s serious, common, and frequently deadly. Although plenty of people know that dogs die in hot cars, what’s lesser-known is that dogs also die from environmental overheating – for example, being in a hot yard – or from exercising in the heat.
This means that – even though it’s important not to leave dogs in cars in the summer – it’s just as important to cool your dog down on any hot day, no matter where they are.
In my nine years as a vet, I’ve been lucky enough to only treat two dogs with heatstroke, both of whom survived. But prevention is better than cure, and the more people who know how to keep their dogs cool, the better. So here’s my top, vet-verified tips for keeping a dog cool in the summer heat.
How to cool down a dog in the summer
So, what are the best ways to cool a dog down in the hot days of summer? Should you shave them? Give them pupsicles? Something else? Let’s take a look…
1. Keep them in the shade
Some dogs don’t know what’s best for them – I had a dog who would lie out in the sun until she was shaky, and in this case, the best thing you can do is to take them somewhere cool and keep them there.
That might be inside, or in the shade outside, depending on the heat and whether you have aircon. Dogs lose heat from lying on cool surfaces, so opt for grass rather than patio slabs if you can.
2. Keep them hydrated
Water is really important – make sure your dog has easy access to water and that their bowl doesn’t run out. You may find that they prefer several bowls, or even a pet water fountain.
If they aren’t big drinkers, try adding water to their food or offering flavored water on hot days – but don’t forget to let them out to urinate more!
3. Try a cooling mat
Dogs lose heat by lying on cool surfaces, and the best cooling mats for dogs are designed to provide a comfy, cool space to lie.
Some have cooling gels that are activated by pressure, while others need freezing in advance – either way, put them in the shade and give your dog something to keep them busy while they cool off.
4. Get them wet
Whether it’s a low-key hose-down, a game with a sprinkler, or the best dog paddling pool, getting dog’s fur wet increases evaporation and cooling. Try to get the water right down to their skin for best effect.
If your dog is obsessed with the pool or sprinkler and plays with their mouth, you should only let them play for 10 minutes or so before making them take a break to avoid water intoxication.
5. Make homemade pupsicles
My dog absolutely loves a popsicle. Fill a silicon mold or a plastic cup with a few tasty treats or some of their usual food, then add water, mix, and freeze.
Once frozen, you’ve got a nice cool treat to give a dog on a hot summer’s day! You may find you need to freeze in a few layers if all the treats float or sink, as you’re aiming to have the treats dispersed throughout.
Alternatively, here are some frozen dog treat ideas to try at home.
6. Shave them - yes, really!
There is so much debate online as to whether shaving a dog increases or decreases their ability to cool off.
Firstly, there’s no doubt that some coat types grow back strangely after cutting and it can take them a couple of years to get back to normal – but it’s just cosmetic, and if it helps your dog keep cool, then that’s what matters most.
Secondly, shaving works when the dog’s internal temperature is higher than the external temperature. This is going to be the case in many places, but some people will find the air temperature is higher than the dog’s internal temperature, in which case it might be best not to shave the coat.
And lastly, shaving a dog can increase their risk for sunburn – I usually recommend trialing shaving the belly fur and leaving the back longer to provide sun protection, since this allows dogs to make the most of cooling mats and similar.
If you're looking for the best dog grooming kits, be sure to check out our helpful guide.
7. Use a fan
Fans move air, increasing evaporation of water and allowing cooler air to replace the hot air near the body.
An electric fan pointing at your dog’s bed can be really helpful, but only if your dog uses it – if they don’t like the fan or move away from the shade to escape it, it may be worth pointing it nearby or fanning them by hand. Or, use your car’s aircon to create a cool environment – but stay with your pet in case there’s a problem and it shuts off!
Heatstroke kills. You can prevent it by keeping mindful of the environmental temperature and taking simple precautions, including following my top tips for keeping your dog cool this summer.
Found this helpful? Read next: When is it too hot to walk a dog? and how to cool down a dog
After graduating as a vet from the University of Nottingham in 2016, Dr. Joanna Woodnutt went on to practice companion animal medicine in the Midlands. She quickly developed a love of consulting and helping clients with medical problems such as dermatology, behavior and nutrition - anything that involved helping clients understand their pets better.
Edited by Megan Milstead.
Recent updates
This page was last updated in May 2025 by Joanna Woodnutt.
