BEAT THE HEAT: Dog Safety Guide
Dog Safety Guide
Keeping Your Dog Safe in Hot Weather
Hot weather can be dangerous for dogs, even in the UK. While many dogs enjoy being outside, they are less able to cool themselves down than humans. Dogs mainly regulate their body temperature through panting, and they can overheat quickly when the weather is warm, humid or sunny.
Heat-related illness can become life-threatening fast. The safest approach is to prevent overheating before it starts: avoid the hottest parts of the day, keep exercise gentle, provide water and shade, and watch closely for early warning signs.
Heat-related illness is a real risk for dogs in the UK
Heat-related illness is not only a risk in extremely hot countries - it is a serious concern for dogs in the UK too.
A 2024 study published in Veterinary Record analysed dogs seen by Vets Now emergency clinics across the UK during the record-breaking heat of 2022. From 167,751 dogs under care, researchers identified 384 heat-related illness events. Within this emergency-care caseload, the recorded incidence risk was 0.23%, and the event fatality rate was 26.56%.
These figures should not be read as the risk for every dog in the UK. The study looked specifically at emergency-care cases, where dogs are more likely to be seriously unwell. However, the findings show that heat-related illness can be life-threatening when it occurs.
The study also found that risk varies between dogs. Breed, age and other individual factors affected risk, with brachycephalic - or flat-faced - dogs having significantly higher odds of heat-related illness. This means owners of breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs should be especially careful in warm weather.
Importantly, heat-related illness is not only linked to dogs being left in hot cars. Exercise, direct sun, hot pavements, poor ventilation, humidity and a dog’s individual vulnerability can all increase the danger.
Source: Beard, S. et al. “Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022.” Veterinary Record, 2024. DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4153. PubMed: Epidemiology of heat-related illness in dogs under UK emergency veterinary care in 2022 - PubMed
Across the UK during the record-breaking heat of 2022
- From 167,751 dogs under care, researchers identified 384 heat-related illness events.
- Within this emergency-care caseload, the recorded incidence risk was 0.23%, and the event fatality rate was 26.56%.
Understanding the canine risk
Dogs can overheat when they are exposed to more heat than their body can cope with. This can happen during walks, play, car journeys, time in the garden, or when resting in hot, poorly ventilated spaces.
Some dogs are more vulnerable in hot weather, including:
- flat-faced breeds, such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pugs,
- older dogs,
- very young puppies,
- overweight dogs,
- thick-coated dogs,
- dogs with heart, breathing or other health conditions,
- dogs that are unfit or not used to exercise,
- dogs exercising in direct sun or humid conditions.
Hot weather risk is not only about the temperature. Humidity, direct sun, activity level, pavement heat, access to shade, ventilation, age, weight, breed, coat type and health all matter.
A day that feels manageable to a person may still be too much for a vulnerable dog.
Practical tips for keeping your dog cool
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Walk at cooler times of dayAvoid walking your dog during the hottest part of the day. In warm weather, choose early morning or late evening walks when the air and ground are cooler. Keep walks shorter and gentler than usual. Avoid running, ball chasing or intense play in hot weather, as exercise can quickly raise a dog’s body temperature. If your dog seems tired, slows down, pants heavily or looks uncomfortable, stop and move them somewhere cooler. |
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Check the pavement before walksPavements, roads and artificial surfaces can become much hotter than the air temperature. Hot surfaces can burn your dog’s paws and add to overheating risk. Use the pavement check before heading out: If you cannot comfortably hold the back of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds, it may be too hot for your dog’s paws. Choose shaded routes, grassy areas where safe, and avoid dark surfaces that have been sitting in direct sun. |
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Provide fresh water at all timesMake sure your dog has constant access to fresh, cool water at home and outside. Take water with you on walks, especially in warm weather. Some dogs may need encouragement to drink, but do not force them. If your dog is lethargic, refusing water, vomiting or showing signs of heatstroke, contact a vet immediately. |
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Create cool resting spacesGive your dog access to shade and cooler areas throughout the day. Indoors, tiled floors, well-ventilated rooms and shaded spaces can help. Cooling mats, damp towels or cool surfaces may help some dogs, but your dog should always be able to move away if they want to. Do not rely on a single cool spot if the room itself is heating up. Rooms with large windows, conservatories and poorly ventilated spaces can become dangerous. |
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Never leave dogs in hot cars or enclosed spacesNever leave a dog in a car on a warm day, even for a few minutes and even with the windows open. Cars can heat up very quickly. Also be careful with other enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, including:
These spaces can become dangerously hot even when the outside temperature does not feel extreme. |
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Be extra careful with vulnerable dogsSome dogs need extra caution even in moderately warm weather. Flat-faced dogs, older dogs, overweight dogs, thick-coated dogs and dogs with health conditions may struggle sooner than healthy adult dogs. For vulnerable dogs, consider skipping walks during warm periods and focusing on calm indoor enrichment instead, such as gentle training, food puzzles or quiet companionship. |
Temperature risk guide for dogs
Temperature can help owners think about risk, but it should never be used on its own. Humidity, direct sun, exercise, pavement heat, ventilation and your dog’s health can change the risk significantly.
| Temp | Risk level | Guidance |
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| 30°C+ | Extreme danger | Skip the walk. Keep your dog cool, calm and out of the sun. Heatstroke risk can rise quickly, even for healthy dogs. |
| 25–29°C | High risk | Avoid exercise and direct sun. Vulnerable dogs may struggle very quickly. |
| 20–24°C | Caution | Choose cooler hours, shaded routes and gentle, short walks. Watch your dog closely. |
| 16–19°C | Monitor | Often comfortable for many dogs, but watch breathing, energy and behaviour, especially in vulnerable dogs. |
| Up to 15°C | Lower heat risk | Heat risk is usually low, but breed, coat, health, humidity and activity still matter. |
Important: Temperature is only a guide. If your dog is panting heavily, slowing down, seeking shade or behaving unusually, stop activity and move them somewhere cooler.
Warning signs of heat-related illness in dogs
Heat-related illness can become an emergency quickly. Contact your vet immediately if you notice:
- heavy or excessive panting,
- excessive drooling,
- bright red, dark red, pale or blue-tinged gums,
- weakness or unusual lethargy,
- confusion, distress or restlessness,
- stumbling or loss of coordination,
- vomiting or diarrhoea,
- collapse,
- seizures,
- unconsciousness.
Do not wait to see if symptoms improve. Fast cooling and veterinary advice can be life-saving.
What to do if you suspect heatstroke
If you think your dog may be suffering from heatstroke, act immediately.
- Move your dog to a cooler place, ideally in the shade or indoors.
- Start cooling them with cool water.
- Focus on the body, neck, belly and paws.
- Offer water, but do not force your dog to drink.
- Contact a vet immediately and follow their advice.
Do not use ice-cold water and do not delay veterinary help. Heatstroke can cause organ damage and death, so fast action matters.
Key message
No walk is worth heatstroke. In hot weather, it is safer to skip or shorten a walk than to risk your dog overheating.
Keep your dog cool, calm and hydrated. Walk at cooler times, avoid hot pavements, provide shade and water, and be especially cautious with flat-faced, older, overweight, thick-coated or unwell dogs.
If you suspect heatstroke, start cooling your dog and contact a vet immediately.
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