How To Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe During the Summer

Updated June 23, 2026

As temperatures climb each year, pet owners face an increasingly important responsibility: protecting their dogs from the dangers of summer heat. While warm weather opens the door to outdoor adventures, including long walks, beach trips, and backyard play, it also introduces serious risks, from burned paw pads to life-threatening heatstroke. Knowing how to recognize these hazards and take proactive steps can make all the difference for your furry companion.

This article covers everything you need to know about keeping your dog safe this summer, including hydration strategies, safe walking temperatures, heatstroke prevention, beach safety tips, and more.

4 Essential Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer

Dogs depend entirely on their owners to keep them healthy and safe. These four foundational strategies will help you protect your pet all season long.

1. Provide Shade and Fresh Water at All Times

On hot days, never leave your dog without access to shade and clean drinking water. Set up a shaded rest area in your yard, and consider filling a small kiddie pool where your dog can wade in and cool down. Refresh the water frequently to keep it cool and free of debris. Hydration is one of the simplest and most effective tools in your summer pet-care arsenal. For a deeper dive into keeping your pet hydrated, check out Your Guide to Keeping Your Pet Hydrated.

2. Check the Pavement Before Every Walk

Hot pavement is one of the most overlooked summer hazards for dogs. Asphalt and concrete absorb and retain heat, often reaching temperatures that can cause serious burns to your dog’s paw pads within seconds of contact.

A simple test: press the back of your hand to the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too hot to hold comfortably, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.

Tips for safer walks:

• Walk your dog early in the morning or after sunset when the pavement has had time to cool.
• Choose grassy routes over sidewalks and streets whenever possible.
• If you must walk on hot pavement, consider protective dog booties to shield your dog’s paws.

3. Never Leave Your Dog in a Parked Vehicle

This cannot be overstated. Leaving a dog in a parked car, camper, or enclosed outdoor kennel during warm weather is extremely dangerous. On an 85°F day, the interior of a car can reach 102°F within ten minutes, and temperatures can soar to 117°F or higher even with the windows cracked. This level of heat can cause severe organ damage or death in a matter of minutes.

4. Limit Outdoor Exercise on Hot Days

Pay attention to local heat advisories and scale back your dog’s outdoor activity accordingly. A general guideline: when temperatures reach 80°F or above, and humidity climbs to 90% or higher, the risk of heatstroke increases dramatically. On days like these, opt for indoor play in an air-conditioned environment rather than outdoor exercise.

Is It Too Hot to Walk My Dog?

The ideal temperature for walking most dogs is around 75°F. Above that threshold, risk rises — particularly for breeds prone to breathing difficulties.

Brachycephalic breeds most susceptible to heatstroke include:

• Bulldogs (English and French)
• Pugs
• Shih Tzus

These flat-faced dogs have shortened airways that make panting, a dog’s primary cooling mechanism,  significantly less efficient.

Additional risk factors include:

• Obesity
• Advanced age
• High-intensity activities such as running or agility training
• Pre-existing heart or respiratory conditions
• Dehydration

How Humidity Affects Your Dog

Temperature alone doesn’t tell the whole story. High humidity severely impairs a dog’s ability to cool down through panting. When the air is already saturated with moisture, evaporation slows, and panting becomes less effective at releasing body heat. On humid days, even moderate temperatures can pose a risk. Always check both the temperature and the humidity index before heading outside with your dog.

Checking Ground Temperature

Even if the air feels comfortable, pavement can still be dangerously hot. Use the hand test described above, or simply walk a few steps on the surface barefoot. If it’s uncomfortable for you within seconds, it’s unsafe for your dog.

Recognizing the Signs of Overheating

Knowing how to spot heat-related distress early can save your dog’s life. Watch for these warning signs:

• Excessive or unusually rapid panting
• Difficulty breathing
• Signs of dehydration: dry nose, sunken eyes, vomiting, or thick, pasty saliva
• Excessive drooling
• Bright red, pale, or purple-tinged gums

If you notice any of these symptoms, move your dog to a cool area immediately, offer water, and contact your veterinarian. For a full breakdown, visit Dog Overheating: Symptoms, Dangers & Treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs

Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s body is unable to regulate its internal temperature, typically due to prolonged exposure to high heat or intense physical exertion. A dog’s core temperature can rise to 105°F or above, at which point multiple organ systems can begin to fail.

Heatstroke symptoms include:

• Collapse or sudden weakness
• Lethargy and confusion
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Disorientation
• Signs of shock
• Seizures
• Internal bleeding
• Coma

Heatstroke is a veterinary emergency. If you suspect your dog is experiencing it, apply cool (not cold) water to their body, particularly the neck, armpits, and groin, and get to a vet immediately.

Understanding Abnormal Panting

Dogs pant for many reasons. It’s their primary means of thermoregulation. A healthy resting dog typically breathes at a rate of around 24 breaths per minute. Anything significantly beyond this, particularly in combination with behavioral changes, may warrant attention.

Signs of Abnormal Panting

• Open-mouthed breathing while at rest
• Unusually loud or labored breathing
• Rapid, shallow breaths
• Tongue hanging out at rest
• Pale blue or grayish gums (a sign of oxygen deficiency)

If your dog displays these symptoms, contact your veterinarian promptly.

Common Causes of Excessive Panting

Understanding the underlying cause is key to addressing it appropriately:

• Exercise: Physical activity naturally increases panting. Recovery time varies based on the dog’s age, breed, fitness level, and muzzle shape. Older or overweight dogs tend to pant longer after exertion.
• Pain or nausea: Dogs in discomfort often pant, especially if panting persists for more than 15 minutes even after rest and water.
• Stress and anxiety: Car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, and veterinary visits are common anxiety triggers that can cause panting.
• Medications: Steroids, benzodiazepines, opioid pain relievers, and thyroid medications can all cause increased panting as a side effect.
• Anemia: Dogs with low red blood cell counts compensate by breathing faster to increase oxygen circulation throughout the body.
• Cushing’s Disease: Excessive panting is a hallmark symptom of this hormonal disorder.
• Respiratory conditions: Pneumonia, laryngeal paralysis, and pulmonary tumors can all impair breathing and trigger panting.
• Heart disease: Congestive heart failure and other cardiac conditions often present with labored breathing or chronic panting.

For more information, see Why Is My Dog Panting So Much?

Are Your Dog’s Ears Supposed to Feel Warm?

Dogs naturally run a higher core body temperature than humans, between 99.5°F and 102.5°F, so warm ears alone are not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if your dog’s ears feel noticeably hot, it could be a sign of fever or an ear infection.

Additional signs that your dog may be unwell include:

• Loss of appetite
• Increased urination or thirst
• Unusual odor from the ears
• Lethargy or low energy
• Behavioral changes such as aggression or withdrawal
• Difficulty with bowel movements

If you notice several of these symptoms together, schedule a visit with your veterinarian.

Burned Paw Pads: Signs and Treatment

Despite their durability, a dog’s paw pads are no match for the summer pavement’s heat. Asphalt can reach 145°F or more on a hot day, well above the threshold for burns.

Signs of Burned Paw Pads

• Limping or reluctance to walk
• Excessive licking or chewing at the paws
• Cracked, blistered, or bleeding pads
• Missing sections of pad tissue
• Redness or visible raw skin

How to Treat Burned Paw Pads at Home

1. Gently wash the affected pads with antibacterial soap.
2. Rinse with lukewarm (not cold) water.
3. Pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Apply Betadine or diluted hydrogen peroxide to the burns.
5. Allow the paws to air dry completely.

To prevent future damage, apply a paw pad balm or wax regularly to keep pads moisturized and resilient. If the burns worsen or show signs of infection, such as swelling, discharge, or persistent limping, contact your veterinarian right away.

Beach Safety Tips for Dogs

A beach trip with your dog can be a wonderful summer experience, but it comes with its own set of hazards. Keep these guidelines in mind to ensure everyone stays safe.

• Bring plenty of fresh water. Saltwater is not safe for dogs to drink and can cause serious gastrointestinal distress. Always carry enough fresh water for both you and your pet.
• Use pet-safe sunscreen. Dogs with thin coats, light-colored fur, or pink skin, particularly on the ears, nose, and belly, are susceptible to sunburn and even skin cancer. Look for sunscreens specifically formulated for dogs; human products may contain ingredients toxic to pets.
• Avoid hot sand. Just like pavement, beach sand can reach scalding temperatures. Protective booties or a shaded resting area on a beach blanket can help. If the sand is too hot to walk on comfortably, keep your dog inside for the day.
• Keep them in the shade or near the water’s edge. Rotating between shade and the water helps maintain a safe body temperature.
• Discourage sand eating. Ingested sand can cause intestinal blockages — a serious and painful condition requiring veterinary intervention.
• Watch the surf. Strong waves can knock a dog off its feet and cause panic or injury. Keep smaller dogs or inexperienced swimmers away from rough water.
• Be aware of marine wildlife. Jellyfish and stingrays in shallow water pose a real sting risk. Keep your dog on dry sand if these are spotted in the area.
• Consider a canine life jacket. Even dogs who enjoy the water may not be strong swimmers. A properly fitted life jacket provides an important safety buffer, especially in open water or strong currents.

What Does Odie Pet Insurance Cover?

Pet insurance covers various veterinary expenses, providing financial protection and peace of mind for pet owners. Here are the details of the coverage options offered by Odie Pet Insurance:

Illness & Injury Plan

The Illness & Injury Plan is an all-inclusive insurance plan designed to cover a wide range of medical needs for your pet. This plan includes comprehensive coverage for various illnesses, injuries, and veterinary services. Some of the covered items include:

• Veterinary exams and consultations
• Diagnostics (e.g., X-rays, lab tests)
• Prescribed medications
• Surgeries and hospitalization
• Rehabilitation, acupuncture, or chiropractic treatments
• Medically necessary supplies

The Wellness Plan

The Wellness Plan is a monthly membership that focuses on preventive care and covers routine veterinary services.

• Provides reimbursements for routine care items such as wellness visits (exams and vaccines), testing and parasite prevention, dental cleanings and at-home dental care, vitamins, supplements, and more
• Through Odie’s partnership with Petivity, a leader in smart pet products and proactive care, Wellness Plan members can also receive reimbursements for Petivity devices and health kits, as well as eligible Purina food and supplements.
• Total reimbursement up to $700 per year.