Move walks to cooler hours.
Choose early morning or evening, reduce intensity and provide shade and water. If the ground is uncomfortably hot against your hand, choose a cooler route or wait. Flat-faced, older, very young, overweight, unwell and thick-coated dogs may be at greater risk.
Never leave a dog in a hot car.
Shade, an open window or a short stop does not make a parked vehicle safe. Plan journeys around breaks, water and a cool destination.
Suspect heatstroke?
Heavy panting, breathing difficulty, excessive drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting, collapse or seizures require urgent action. Move the dog to a cooler place, begin cooling with cool—not ice-cold—water, and contact a vet immediately. Follow the vet’s instructions.
Sources & further reading
PDSA: Heatstroke in pets
Blue Cross: Keeping dogs cool
RSPCA: Dogs and hot walks
Reviewed September 2026