Summer Dog Safety: How to Keep Your Dog Safe in Hot Weather

Updated June 2026

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Summer can mean longer evenings, garden time and more opportunities to get outside with your dog.

But warm weather also brings risks.

Hot pavements, heatstroke, grass seeds, blue-green algae, barbecues and car journeys can all cause problems. Some become serious very quickly.

I have worked with dogs in Finchley and North London since 2011. During hot weather, my approach is simple.

I would rather shorten, change or cancel a walk than put a dog at risk.

This guide covers the main summer dangers and the practical steps you can take to keep your dog safer.

This article is for general information only and does not replace veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s health or believe they may be overheating, contact your vet immediately.

When is it too hot to walk a dog?

There is no single temperature that is safe for every dog.

Risk depends on:

• temperature
• humidity
• direct sunlight
• ground temperature
• your dog’s breed
• age
• fitness
• weight
• coat
• health
• the length and intensity of the walk

A temperature that feels manageable for one dog may be unsafe for another.

I pay attention to the dog in front of me, rather than relying on any of the weather apps – these can be used as a guide

During warmer weather, my extreme weather policy is in place, and I change things, which may include

• walk earlier
• a shorter route
• stay close to home
• using shaded paths
• avoiding pavements as much as possible
• turn the visit into a toilet break
• Replace part of the walk with calm enrichment
• Cancel exercise when the risk is too high

Early morning is often safer than late afternoon because pavements may still hold heat after the air begins to cool.

In Finchley and Muswell Hill, shaded areas such as Coldfall Woods, Cherry Tree Wood and parts of the Parkland Walk may feel cooler than exposed streets. However, shade does not remove the risk of heatstroke.

Always watch your dog.

Which dogs are most at risk in hot weather?

Any dog can develop heat-related illness.

Some are at greater risk.

These include:

• flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs and Bulldogs
• elderly dogs
• puppies
• overweight dogs
• dogs with thick or heavy coats
• large dogs
• dogs with heart or breathing conditions
• dogs recovering from illness or surgery
• unfit dogs
• dogs who become highly excited during exercise

Dogs who love running, chasing balls or playing with other dogs may not stop when they become too hot.

You need to stop for them.

Ball throwing, running alongside a bicycle, and intense games are best avoided in warm weather.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke is an emergency.

Early signs may include:

• heavy or excessive panting
• noisy or distressed breathing
• restlessness
• seeking shade or water
• excessive drooling
• red gums or tongue
• reluctance to move
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

More serious signs can include:

• weakness
• confusion
• loss of coordination
• collapse
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

Do not wait for your dog to collapse before acting.

What should I do if my dog overheats?

Act immediately.

Current veterinary guidance follows the principle:

Cool first, transport second.

1. Stop the exercise.
2. Move your dog into shade or a cool, well-ventilated place.
3. Pour water that is cooler than your dog’s body over their body.
4. Create airflow with a fan, breeze or air conditioning.
5. Offer small amounts of water, but do not force your dog to drink.
6. Contact your vet immediately.
7. Continue cooling and follow your vet’s instructions.

Avoid covering your dog with wet towels. A towel can warm up and trap heat against the body.

Do not delay cooling because you are worried the water may be too cold. The important point is to start cooling quickly with available water that is cooler than the dog.

Very cold immersion may not be appropriate for every dog, particularly older dogs or dogs with existing health problems. Your vet can guide you while you begin cooling.

Even if your dog appears to recover, they may still need a veterinary assessment. Internal complications are not always immediately visible.

Hot pavements and burnt paws

Tarmac, paving stones, concrete and artificial grass can become much hotter than the surrounding air.

Dog paw pads are tough, but they can still burn.

Before walking, place the back of your hand on the surface for several seconds.

If you cannot keep it there comfortably, do not ask your dog to walk on it.

Watch for:

• lifting a paw
• limping
• walking unusually quickly
• pulling towards grass
• stopping
• licking the paws
• redness
• blisters
• peeling skin

If you think your dog has burnt their paws:

• stop walking
• move onto a cooler surface
• Cool the paws gently with running cool water
• Stop your dog from licking the area if possible
• Contact your vet

Paw balm may help maintain healthy pads, but it does not make hot pavement safe.

Dog boots can help some dogs, but they need to be introduced gradually. They should not be used as permission to walk during unsafe conditions.

Read more about this with my hot Pavement Guide

Keeping your dog cool at home

A dog can overheat both at home and outside.

Warm flats, conservatories, loft rooms and south-facing rooms can become uncomfortable quickly.

Make sure your dog has:

• clean drinking water
• more than one water bowl
• access to the coolest room
• ventilation
• shade
• a cool resting surface
• freedom to move away from sunny areas

Close blinds or curtains before direct sunlight heats the room.

Fans can help create airflow, although some dogs dislike the noise or sensation. Allow your dog to move away.

A cooling mat can provide a comfortable resting place, but check it regularly for damage.

Never leave a dog shut inside a conservatory.

Useful cooling and enrichment items

You do not need a cupboard full of summer products.

A few practical items that can help are listed below – these are Amazon affiliate links, but are products I use all the time

• dog cooling mat
• LickiMat
• Kong Classic

Frozen food toys and lick mats can provide calm enrichment without physical exertion.

Always supervise your dog with toys and choose fillings that suit their normal diet.

Find out more about some of the things I recommend for hot weather

Never leave a dog in a parked car

Never leave your dog unattended in a parked car during warm weather.

Opening a window or parking in the shade does not make it safe.

Cars can heat up quickly, and shade can move while you are away.

The same warning applies to:

• vans
• caravans
• conservatories
• sheds
• poorly ventilated rooms

If you see a dog showing signs of heatstroke inside a vehicle, call 999.

Do not break into a vehicle without speaking to the police unless there is an immediate emergency and you are prepared to justify your actions.

Remember, dogs die in hot cars

Travelling with your dog in summer

Before taking your dog on a journey, ask whether they really need to come.

Leaving them safely at home may be kinder.

When travel is necessary:

• Cool the vehicle before your dog gets in
• Use air conditioning where possible
• carry plenty of fresh water
• Take a bowl
• plan regular stops
• avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day
• Secure your dog safely
• Use sun shades where appropriate
• Never leave them while you visit a shop or service station

Remember that the back of a vehicle may feel warmer than the front.

Metal seat-belt fittings, plastic crates and dark surfaces can also become hot.

For public transport such as the London Tube, consider crowded platforms, delayed services, poor ventilation, and hot pavements at either end of the journey.

Garden dangers for dogs

Gardens give dogs somewhere to relax, but they are not automatically safe.

Check for:

• toxic plants
• slug pellets
• weed killers
• pesticides
• fertilisers
• compost
• sharp tools
• open sheds
• unsecured ponds
• uncovered water containers
• hot artificial grass
• broken fencing

Store chemicals in a locked or inaccessible place.

Read product labels carefully, but do not assume that something described as natural is harmless to pets.

Compost can contain mould and food waste that may make dogs seriously unwell.

Water butts, ponds and paddling pools should be managed carefully, particularly around puppies, elderly dogs and poor swimmers.

Barbecue dangers for dogs

Barbecues combine food, heat, guests and rubbish.

That makes them difficult environments for many dogs.

Keep your dog away from:

• hot grills
• charcoal
• firelighters
• cooked bones
• kebab skewers
• corn cobs
• fatty meat
• onions
• garlic
• alcohol
• chocolate
• food containing xylitol
• rubbish bags

Cooked bones can splinter.

Corn cobs and skewers may cause dangerous internal blockages or injuries.

Fatty food can cause digestive illness and may contribute to pancreatitis.

Rescue dogs, nervous dogs, and dogs who struggle around visitors may be happier resting inside with a chew, a food toy, or a quiet activity.

Read my full guide to barbecue dangers for dogs.

Grass seeds

Grass seeds are one of the summer problems I check for after walks.

Their pointed shape allows them to work into fur, skin, paws, ears, noses and eyes.

Check:

• between the toes
• around the ears
• under the armpits
• around the groin
• under the collar or harness
• feathered fur
• the face and eyes

Warning signs include:

• persistent licking
• sudden head shaking
• sneezing
• swelling
• redness
• limping
• discharge
• pawing at an ear or eye

Do not dig deeply into your dog’s skin or ear trying to remove a seed.

Contact your vet if a seed appears embedded or your dog shows discomfort.

It is also important to make sure you check your dog after a walk

Ticks, fleas, bees and wasps

Warm weather usually means more insects and parasites.

Check your dog after woodland and long-grass walks.

Speak to your vet about appropriate flea and tick prevention. Do not combine parasite treatments without professional advice.

Dogs may be stung when they investigate or snap at bees and wasps.

A sting in the mouth or throat can become urgent if swelling affects breathing.

Contact your vet if your dog has:

• facial swelling
• breathing difficulty
• repeated vomiting
• weakness
• collapse
• several stings
• a sting in the mouth
• signs of significant pain

Avoid relying on vinegar, bicarbonate of soda or other home remedies.

Veterinary advice is safer, particularly when you cannot identify the insect or the sting site.

Water safety

Not every dog can swim well.

Even strong swimmers can become tired, cold or trapped.

Supervise dogs around:

• rivers
• lakes
• canals
• ponds
• swimming pools
• the sea

Use a properly fitted dog buoyancy aid for boating or open-water activities.

Do not throw toys into fast-flowing water.

Avoid encouraging your dog to jump from steep or slippery banks.

Carry fresh water to the beach so your dog is less likely to drink seawater. Swallowing too much seawater can cause serious illness.

Rinse salt and sand from your dog’s coat and paws after the visit.

Blue-green algae

Blue-green algae can produce toxins that are dangerous to dogs.

It may appear as:

• green or blue-green scum
• streaks on the water
• clumps near the edge
• discoloured water

Warning signs are not always present.

Keep your dog out of water when signs warn of algae or the water looks suspicious.

If your dog has entered contaminated water, stop them from licking their coat and contact a vet immediately.

Do not wait for symptoms.

Sunburn in dogs

Dogs can get sunburn.

Those at greater risk include dogs with:

• white or pale coats
• thin fur
• exposed skin
• hair loss
• pale noses or ears
• recently clipped areas

Provide shade and limit time in direct sunlight.

Ask your vet to recommend a dog-safe sunscreen.

Do not automatically use human sunscreen. Some ingredients may be unsafe if licked.

Common areas needing protection include:

• ear tips
• nose
• belly
• areas with thin fur
• exposed patches of skin

Contact your vet if the skin becomes red, painful, blistered or sore.

What can I do instead of a hot walk?

Missing or shortening a walk will not harm your dog.

Pushing them through dangerous heat might.

Try calm indoor activities such as:

• scatter feeding
• food searches
• a stuffed Kong
• a frozen LickiMat
• short training games
• cardboard-box searches
• scent games
• calm chewing
• gentle grooming
• teaching a simple trick

Keep sessions short.

Mental activity can be tiring, so your dog does not need hours of entertainment. Here are some easy indoor enrichment ideas

A shaded toilet break and a quiet day indoors may be the safest plan.

Common summer safety mistakes

Some risks arise because owners rely on incomplete or outdated advice.

Avoid:

• Walking because the dog “always has an afternoon walk”
• judging risk only by air temperature
• assuming woodland shade removes all heat risk
• waiting until a dog collapses before cooling them
• wrapping an overheated dog in wet towels
• leaving a dog in a car for a few minutes
• intense ball games in warm weather
• allowing dogs to drink seawater
• Ignoring grass seeds after walks
• assuming every dog can swim
• Using human sunscreen without veterinary advice
• relying on cooling products instead of changing the routine

Summer dog safety checklist

Before leaving home, ask:

• Is this walk necessary?
• Is there a cooler time?
• Is the pavement safe?
• Is the route shaded?
• Can I shorten the walk?
• Do I have water?
• Is my dog already panting?
• Is my dog in a higher-risk group?
• Can I use indoor enrichment instead?

At home, check:

• Fresh water is available
• Your dog can reach a cool room
• Blinds and curtains reduce direct sunlight
• Conservatories are closed off
• Garden chemicals are secure
• barbecue rubbish is inaccessible
• Ponds and pools are supervised

After walks, check:

• paws
• ears
• eyes
• between the toes
• long or feathered fur
• under the harness
• the skin for ticks, seeds or irritation

How does this affect my dog walking service

Hot weather changes how I work.

My walks are calm, local and one-to-one. They begin at your dog’s home, so there is no hot van journey or group collection.

During warmer weather, I may provide:

• a shorter walk
• a slow sniff walk
• a shaded route
• a toilet break
• garden time
• enrichment at home
• a changed appointment time where possible

The dog’s welfare comes before the clock.

A successful visit is not measured by how far we walk.

It is measured by whether your dog remains safe, comfortable and settled.

Dogs who are staying at home while their owners travel may also cope better with familiar surroundings than a warm kennel or unfamiliar boarding environment.

Final thoughts

Summer dog safety is mostly about making sensible decisions early.

Do less when the weather is hot.

Change the route.

Shorten the walk.

Carry water.

Check your dog.

Use calm enrichment at home.

Most importantly, never feel guilty about skipping a walk when the conditions are unsafe.

Your dog needs you to make that decision for them.

Related summer dog care guides

• Hot Pavement Safety
• Hot Weather Dog Kit
• Summer dog safety
• BBQ Dangers for Dogs
• Grass Seeds and Dogs
• Healthy Summer Treats
• Dogs and Picnics
• Dogs and the London Tube in Hot Weather
• Dog-Friendly Garden Guide
• Extreme Weather Policy
• Dog and Cat Care Guides Hub

FAQs

This article is for general information only and does not replace veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s health or believe they may be overheating, contact your vet immediately.