Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting — they barely sweat at all. That means on a hot, humid day their body heat can climb much faster than ours. The good news: a few simple habits make summer safe and fun for almost every dog.
Who needs extra care
Flat-faced breeds (pugs, bulldogs, boxers), seniors, puppies, overweight dogs, and dogs with thick coats or heart and airway problems overheat sooner than others. Humidity matters as much as temperature — panting works poorly in muggy air.
Time your walks right
- Walk early in the morning or after sunset, when both air and pavement have cooled down.
- On very hot days, swap the long midday walk for a short potty break in the shade — your dog will forgive you.
- Always carry water and offer it often; a collapsible bowl weighs nothing.
- Choose grass and shaded paths over open asphalt whenever you can.
The 10-second pavement test
Press the back of your hand against the asphalt for 10 seconds. If it's uncomfortable for you, it can burn your dog's paw pads. When the air is around 30 °C, sun-baked asphalt can be well over 50 °C.
Know the warning signs
- Heavy, frantic panting and thick drool
- Bright red or pale gums
- Wobbliness, weakness, or confusion
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Collapse or seizures — this is an emergency
If your dog overheats
Move them to shade or air conditioning right away. Pour cool — not ice-cold — water over the body, especially the belly, armpits and paws, and let a fan blow over the wet coat. Offer small sips of water. Then head to a vet even if your dog seems to recover: heatstroke can damage organs hours after the dog looks fine.
And the golden rule: never leave a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes, even with the windows cracked. Log your summer walks in PawKit and keep an eye on how your dog handles the heat — patterns show up fast.
