How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer: 9 Vet-Informed Tips

When temperatures climb, dogs can overheat surprisingly fast — and heatstroke is a real emergency. The good news: a few simple habits keep your dog safe, cool, and comfortable all summer. Here's what actually works.

Signs your dog is too hot

Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, so watch for heavy or frantic panting, thick drooling, bright red gums, lethargy, or a sudden urge to lie on cold tile. Wobbliness, vomiting, or confusion can signal heatstroke — treat it as an emergency and call your vet right away.

9 ways to keep your dog cool in summer

1. Keep cool water everywhere. Refresh bowls often, add a few ice cubes, and set out more than one around the house.
2. Walk early or late. Skip the midday heat. Press the back of your hand to the pavement for 7 seconds — if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for their paws.
3. Never leave your dog in a parked car. Interiors can reach deadly temperatures within minutes, even with the windows cracked.
4. Give them a cooling mat. A self-cooling ice-silk cooling mat absorbs body heat on contact — no water, ice, or plug needed — so your dog always has a cool spot to retreat to indoors, in the crate, or in the car.
5. Add shade and airflow. A fan, an open window, or a shaded outdoor spot makes a big difference on humid days.
6. Offer frozen treats. Freeze low-sodium broth or dog-safe fruit in an ice tray for a cooling, enriching snack.
7. Groom, don't shave. Brushing out loose undercoat helps airflow, but a dog's coat also protects against sunburn — ask your groomer before shaving.
8. Watch high-risk dogs closely. Flat-faced breeds (bulldogs, pugs), seniors, puppies, and overweight or thick-coated dogs overheat faster and need extra care.
9. Cool them the right way. If your dog overheats, move them to shade, offer water, and apply cool — not ice-cold — water to the belly and paws while you head to the vet.

The easiest everyday win: a cooling mat

Most heat problems happen indoors, when the floor is warm and the A/C can't quite keep up. A cooling mat gives your dog a spot that stays cool to the touch with no prep. Our Ice-Silk Cooling Mat for Dogs & Cats cools on contact, is machine washable, folds up for travel, and works for cats too — an easy way to help your pet beat the heat all season.

This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. If you suspect heatstroke, contact your vet immediately.