How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer: 9 Tips From Preston's Local Pet Shop
In short: keep your dog cool in summer by walking them early morning or evening, testing the pavement with the back of your hand before you set off, and always having fresh water and shade on hand. Watch for heavy panting, drooling, or wobbliness as early warning signs, and cool a hot dog down gradually with lukewarm water rather than ice. A few simple bits of kit, like a slow feeder for frozen treats or a breathable harness, make the whole summer easier.
In this article
- How do I know if my dog is too hot?
- What is the 7 second pavement test?
- What temperature is too hot to walk a dog in the UK?
- How can I cool my dog down fast?
- Best places to walk your dog safely this summer near Longton and Preston
- What gear actually helps keep dogs cool?
- FAQ
How do I know if my dog is too hot?
Dogs cannot sweat the way we do. They lose most of their heat through panting and through their paw pads, which means they overheat faster than owners often expect, especially on muggy Lancashire days when the air feels heavier than the thermometer suggests.
Early signs are easy to miss: heavier panting than usual, seeking out shade or lying on cool floors, or slowing down on a walk they'd normally enjoy. As it gets more serious, look for thick drool, bright red gums, wobbliness, vomiting, or a dog who seems dazed and unresponsive. Any of those last few mean stop everything, get them into shade, offer water, and call your vet.
What is the 7 second pavement test?
Before any summer walk, press the back of your hand flat against the pavement and hold it there for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws, full stop. Tarmac and paving can run 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the air temperature in direct sun, which is how paw burns catch so many owners out on what feels like an ordinary warm day.
If the pavement fails the test, stick to grass and shaded paths, or save the walk for early morning or after the sun has dropped in the evening.
Freezer safe and suction-cup secure, perfect for frozen yoghurt or bone broth on a hot afternoon in the garden.
What temperature is too hot to walk a dog in the UK?
There is no single magic number, since coat type, age, weight, and breed all change how much heat a dog can handle. As a general guide for the UK climate though, here is how we'd plan a walk:
| Air temperature | Walking advice | Pavement risk |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20C | Normal walk, any time of day | Low |
| 20C to 24C | Walk early morning or evening, always test the pavement | Moderate |
| 25C to 28C | Short walks on grass only, extra water, watch closely | High |
| 29C and above | Skip the walk, garden time in shade only | Very high, can burn paws in minutes |
Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs, thick-coated breeds like Huskies and German Shepherds, and any senior, puppy, or overweight dog should be treated more cautiously than this table suggests. When in doubt, move the walk earlier or later, or leave it for the garden instead.
How can I cool my dog down fast?
If your dog is panting hard, seeking shade constantly, or seems flat after time outside, act early rather than waiting to see if it passes on its own.
- Move them to shade or indoors straight away, ideally somewhere with airflow or a fan.
- Offer fresh water but do not force them to drink.
- Wet the paws, belly, and ears with cool, not icy, water. This is where a dog loses heat fastest.
- Avoid ice-cold water on the whole body, since it can make blood vessels near the skin constrict and actually trap heat in rather than releasing it.
- Call your vet if they are vomiting, wobbly, confused, or do not perk up within a few minutes of cooling down. Heatstroke can escalate quickly and is a genuine emergency.
Float high and are easy to spot, great for a paddling pool, the beck, or a splash in a local park pond.
Best places to walk your dog safely this summer near Longton and Preston
Living in Lancashire does not mean you dodge the heat entirely, and a muggy day in Longton can catch dogs out just as easily as anywhere further south. A few adjustments make local walks safer through July and August:
- Go early or late. An 8am or 8pm walk around Worden Park or Haslam Park misses the worst of the midday sun and the hottest tarmac.
- Choose shade and grass over pavement. Wooded stretches along the Ribble Valley or grassy park paths stay noticeably cooler underfoot than the pavements through Longton and central Preston.
- Bring water even for short trips. It is easy to assume a quick walk to the shops does not need a water bottle, but heat builds fast on exposed streets.
- Pop into the shop. If you are ever unsure whether it is safe to walk, call in and see us in Longton, we're happy to talk through it.
What gear actually helps keep dogs cool?
You do not need to buy your way out of a heatwave, but a few pieces of kit genuinely make summer easier for both of you.
Doubled-up microfibre towelling that fits like a robe, ideal after a paddle or a sudden Lancashire downpour.
Low-profile and breathable rather than padded and heavy, built for dogs who still want to move freely in the heat.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my dog is too hot?
Watch for heavy panting that does not settle, thick drool, bright red gums or tongue, wobbliness, or a reluctance to move. A dog who suddenly flops down on a walk or stops responding normally needs shade, water, and a break straight away. If they seem confused, are vomiting, or collapse, that is heatstroke and needs a vet urgently.
What is the 7 second rule for dogs?
Press the back of your hand flat on the pavement and hold it there for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for you to keep your hand down for that long, it is too hot for your dog's paws, and the walk should wait for a cooler time of day or move onto grass instead.
Is 22 degrees too hot for a dog?
22C is usually fine for a normal walk, especially in the early morning or evening, though flat-faced breeds, seniors, and overweight dogs may already need extra care. Once it climbs past 25C, shorten walks and always test the pavement first, since ground temperature runs well above the air temperature in direct sun.
Does spraying water on a dog actually cool them down?
Yes, cool (not icy) water on the paws, belly, and ears helps a dog lose heat, since dogs cool mainly through panting and their paw pads rather than sweating all over. Icy water can make surface blood vessels constrict and trap heat in, so lukewarm is safer than freezing cold.
Which dog breeds are most at risk of overheating?
Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers struggle most because they cannot pant as efficiently. Thick or double-coated breeds such as Huskies and German Shepherds, plus seniors, puppies, and overweight dogs of any breed, also need extra care and shorter walks in the heat.
Ready to kit out your dog for summer?
Pop into the shop in Longton or order online, we're always happy to help you pick the right gear for your dog.
Shop Summer Dog Accessories →Never leave a dog in a car this summer, temperatures inside can climb dangerously within minutes, even with the windows cracked.