Too Hot to Walk Your Dog? Signs of Heatstroke and What to Do Instead

How Hot is Too Hot? What Every Dog Owner Should Consider...

As the summer heats up, we start reaching for the suncream and iced coffee — but what about our dogs?

Heatstroke in dogs can develop fast and be fatal if not recognised early. Even the hardiest spaniel or the fittest Labrador is at risk in high temperatures. The good news? With a few tweaks to your routine and some creative enrichment, you can keep your dog safe, stimulated, and happy — without risking their health.

In this blog, we'll cover:

• When it's too hot to walk your dog

• Early signs of heatstroke

• What to do if you suspect heatstroke

• Safe alternatives to walking in the heat

• Cooling treats to help your dog chill out

• How our summer classes can help

When is it too hot to walk your dog?

There's no universal temperature cut-off - it depends on your dog and your situation. But some guidelines can help:

Consider:

• Breed, age, and coat - puppies, elderly dogs, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, and thick-coated dogs are at higher risk.

• Time of day - early morning and late evening are safest. Early afternoon heat can be dangerous, especially if the dog is exercising.

• Surface temperature - there's a difference between walking on grass in the shade or on the pavement in the sun, even if the air temperature is the same.

• Your dog's needs - some dogs won't toilet in the garden, so a short, shaded trip may be necessary - just keep it calm and low-effort.

• Level of activity - a gentle sniffy stroll is a world away from a game of fetch or a run.

Using common sense and being guided by your dog and their needs will help.

As I'm writing this, I'm in my office with the blind down (to keep the sun out) and the fan going. So if I'm not happy to be out in the heat, we'll limit the dogs' outside time to short toilet breaks.

Early signs of heatstroke in dogs

Recognising the early signs is key to preventing serious outcomes. Based on the most up-to-date advice from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), look out for:

• Excessive panting

• Bright red gums or tongue

• Drooling or sticky saliva

• Lethargy or confusion

• Wobbly or uncoordinated movement

• Vomiting or diarrhoea

• Refusal to drink or move

If you notice any of these, act immediately.

First aid: what to do if you suspect heatstroke

Recent research from the RVC has updated the advice on treating suspected heatstroke. The headline is simple: cool first, transport second. Start cooling your dog straight away rather than waiting until you get to the vet - it saves lives.

Do:

• Move your dog to a shaded, breezy spot

• Pour cold water over them (from the neck down)

• If possible, immerse a young, healthy dog in cold water (a paddling pool is ideal)

• For older dogs, or dogs with health problems, pour water that's cooler than the dog over them and get air moving with a fan or breeze (evaporative cooling)

• Offer small sips of water if your dog is conscious

• Call your vet immediately, even if symptoms improve

Don't:

• Don't delay cooling while calling the vet — cool first, transport second

• Don't cover your dog with a wet towel (it traps the heat and slows evaporation - this is old advice that's since been overturned)

• Don't pour water over their head (to avoid it getting into their airways)

• Don't assume they're fine because they "seem OK now"

What to do instead of walks

Hot weather doesn't mean your dog has to be bored — or bounce off the walls. Here are some safe alternatives that tick the mental stimulation box without overheating your dog:

• Food searches in the shade – scatter kibble or treats around a garden or indoors

• Find-it games – hide a toy or a ball and let your dog use their nose to hunt it down

• Short training sessions indoors – work on recall, name response, or trick training. Three to five minutes is plenty

• Fun scentwork – encourages calm focus through sniffing

• Teaching them the names of different toys, and then getting them to find or retrieve them

Cooling treats for hot days

Give your dog a safe way to cool off with frozen snacks you can make at home:

• Frozen KONGs – fill with wet food, yoghurt, or soaked kibble and freeze

• Ice cubes with fruit or veg – try blueberries, carrot, cucumber or apple pieces (no seeds)

• Frozen LickiMats – wet food, natural/Greek yoghurt, soaked kibble

• DIY pup ice cream – mash banana with whatever berries you have in the fridge, mix with natural/Greek yoghurt and freeze in moulds or ice cube trays

Note: if your dog is prone to resource guarding, these high-value items may not be suitable, especially if there are children or other dogs around. Supervise closely, or skip frozen treats altogether in favour of other enrichment options.

Looking for safe, structured alternatives this summer?

Training doesn't have to stop for summer — it just needs a smarter approach. If you're looking for ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated without risking overheating, our classes are designed with exactly that in mind.

Some options your dog would happily choose:

Foundation Gundog Training – perfect to tap into your spaniel's, cockapoo's or Labrador's working instincts, build connection, improve recall and lead walking, and even bring the ball back!

Progression Gundog Training, for those who've completed foundation. Warning: it's addictive!

Puppy Off-Lead Recall Course – worried about letting your puppy off lead? This is the course for you.

Recall Workshop, for dogs who just need a reminder – a short, impactful session that boosts response and takes the stress out of an unreliable recall.

Class days and times change through the year, so click here to see what's running now and book your spot.

Our gundog and puppy classes are held in two locations - Sulhamstead and Mapledurham. Dogs bring their humans from Reading, Caversham, Henley, Thatcham, Theale, Burghfield, Mortimer and surrounding areas.