When the Irish sun makes its rare and glorious appearance, we humans might flock to beer gardens and beaches — but our four-legged companions? They’re more likely to flop dramatically in the shade, wondering why their built-in fur coat didn’t come with a summer option.
Keeping your dog cool, safe, and comfortable during warmer weather doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job (or involve melting into a puddle of worry). With a bit of prep and a dash of common sense, you can dodge doggy disasters and still enjoy the sunshine together.
Let’s kick things off with the top warning signs your dog might be overheating.
☀️ 1. Signs Your Dog is Overheating (and What to Do About It)
Dogs can’t tell you when they’re too hot (unless yours has a dramatic sigh or side-eye combo like io). So, you’ll need to watch for the clues:
Key signs of overheating:
- Heavy panting
- Drooling
- Reddened gums
- Wobbly legs (like they’ve stolen your Guinness)
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
How to check your dog’s temperature: Use a digital thermometer rectally if you’re confident and calm doing it. If not, you can press your fingers to the inside of their thigh where the femoral artery is. If it feels very hot, it’s a potential red flag — though it’s no replacement for a proper thermometer.
If you’re at all concerned, or symptoms aren’t easing quickly — call your vet. Better an unnecessary call than an emergency.
2. Water Wisdom: Hydration, Swimming & Sea Safety
Hydration is vital, but avoid letting your pup gulp ice water — it can cause stomach upset or, in rare cases, trigger bloat. A few ice cubes (1-3) in their water bowl is fine to cool things down if they’re not the sort to crunch them. Otherwise, keep a bottle of cold (not icy) water in the fridge and refresh their bowl regularly.
Swimming tips:
- Sea water is fun but salty — avoid tennis balls or solid floaty toys that don’t drain. Dogs often swallow too much sea water which can cause vomiting or worse.
- Freshwater is usually gentler on the belly, but always rinse them after a dip to remove bacteria or algae.
Can dogs swim after eating? Ideally, wait 30-60 minutes after meals before swimming to avoid the canine equivalent of a stitch or, in large breeds, a risk of bloat.
Dog life jackets: Even strong swimmers can get tired or caught in currents. It’s worth shopping around — I once paid €80 for a pet store life jacket that disintegrated faster than a soggy Bonio. The €20 version I ordered online? Still going strong.
Recommendations:
3. Sunscreen for Snouts: Don’t Skip the SPF
Yes, dogs can get sunburned — especially short-haired breeds, dogs with white fur, pink noses, or bald bellies. Sunburn in dogs can cause redness, pain, peeling, and increase their risk of skin cancer.
Apply pet-safe sunscreen to:
- Noses
- Ear tips
- Bellies (especially if they love lying frog-legged in the sun)
Dog-safe sunscreen options:
Avoid human sunscreens — many contain zinc oxide or xylitol, both toxic to dogs.
❄️ 4. Cool Accessories: Mats, Bandanas & Chilly Chic
Cooling gear can be a game changer, especially if your pup’s idea of summer is dramatic flops and sulks.
Cooling mats (available in different sizes) stay cool without refrigeration and are perfect for crates, beds or shady spots:
Cooling bandanas and vests: Some brands (like Trixie) make wearable cooling options that are ideal on the move and far less effort than hauling a mat around. There are so many available on the market these days due to our changing climate that it’s worth a shop around.
DIY trick:
- Wet and freeze a regular bandana or cloth. Tie loosely around your dog’s neck — instant chill factor!
Also consider: dog cooling shirts or bodysuits, especially for heat-sensitive breeds.
5. Tasty Treats: Pup-sicles and Fruity Fun
Homemade frozen treats can help keep things cool and tasty. Use a blend of:
- Dog-safe fruits (bananas, watermelon, blueberries)
- Veggies (cucumber, carrot)
- A bit of plain yoghurt or water
Blend and freeze in silicone moulds or ice cube trays.
6. Cool Snacks (Without the Cubes)
If you’re looking for frozen fun that isn’t ice cubes or broth, try making dog-friendly ice cream!
Basic recipe idea:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tablespoon plain yoghurt
- Optional: a spoon of dog-safe peanut butter (make sure it’s xylitol-free!)
- Blend all ingredients and freeze in silicone trays. It’s easy, cheap, and less likely to crack a tooth.
Important disclaimer: Always check that any ingredients used are dog-safe, and avoid sweeteners like xylitol (which is highly toxic).
7. Hot Pavements & Car Trips: Timing and Paw Care
You know the rule — if you wouldn’t walk barefoot on it, your dog shouldn’t either.
Avoid walking between midday and 4pm, when pavements and tarmac are at their hottest. Test with the back of your hand for 5 seconds — if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for paws.
If you must go out during peak hours:
- Stick to grassy areas or shaded routes
- Consider using doggie boots for protection
- Apply paw balm afterwards to soothe any damage
I love:
- Happy Tails Paw Soother — excellent for treating cracked or sore pads.
And lastly — never leave your dog in a car. Not for five minutes. Not with the windows down. Not in the shade. Cars become ovens frighteningly fast, even in Ireland.
8. Chill Zones: Creating a Cool Spot at Home
Dogs are pros at locating the coolest part of the house — usually the exact spot you were about to sit. Help them out by:
- Keeping curtains/blinds closed in sunny rooms (just imagine your a vampire)
- Using fans to improve airflow — in order for this to work effectively, you must create airflow as our furry friends don’t sweat like we do, pointing a fan at your pet is well…pointless
- Offering cool, damp towels to lie on
- Encouraging naps on tiled floors over carpeted areas
Bonus tip: if you’re working from home, position their bed in a cross-breeze. Productivity will drop 40% due to cuddling, but morale will soar.
9. Breed-Specific Tips: Brachycephalics & Big Fluffers
Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to handling the heat. Some are basically walking duvets, while others snort like tiny, snub-nosed freight trains. Here’s what to keep in mind if your pup falls into one of the more heat-sensitive categories.
Brachycephalic Breeds (a.k.a. The Flat-Faced Crew)
Think Pugs, Bulldogs, Frenchies, Shih-Tzus, Boxers, and Boston Terriers — all lovable, all a bit snorty, and all prone to overheating faster than a sausage roll on a sunny dashboard.
These breeds:
- Struggle to cool down due to short nasal passages
- Are inefficient panters
- Face a higher risk of heatstroke
Top tips:
- Walk early morning or late evening
- Choose a harness over a collar so as not to restrict breathing or air flow
- Consider a doggy splash pool for your garden
- Avoid rough play in warm weather
- Use indoor cooling mats or damp towels
- Never leave them in a car — ever
Heavy-Coated & Northern Breeds
Huskies, Malamutes, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs — majestic, snow-loving fluffballs who think 18°C is grounds for protest.
These breeds have double coats: a dense undercoat to insulate, and a coarser outer coat to protect against sun, wind, and rain. This combo works like a self-regulating duvet — trapping cooler air close to the skin if maintained.
Undercoat grooming vs regular brushing:
- Regular brushing only skims the surface
- Undercoat grooming removes dead fur that traps heat and mats
- Never shave a double-coated dog — you strip away their sun protection. It’s like plucking a bird and wondering why it looks outraged.
I recommend:
If your dog is suddenly acting like a moody teen — lying dramatically in corners and sighing heavily — it may just be their body saying, “I didn’t sign up for this sauna.”
⚠️ 10. Know the Signs of Heatstroke & When to Call the Vet
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If your dog is showing any of the following, act immediately:
- Heavy panting
- Drooling
- Weakness or wobbling
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
What to do:
- Move them to a cool place
- Apply damp cloths to inner thighs and underarms
- Offer small sips of cool water
- Check temperature via thermometer or inner thigh
And above all — call your vet immediately.
Emergency contacts:
- UCD Veterinary Hospital: (01) 716 6000
- Pet Emergency Hospital, Stillorgan: (01) 260 9920
If in doubt, don’t hesitate. You know your dog best.
In Summary
Keeping your dog cool in summer isn’t about panic or perfection — it’s about preparation. Know the signs, use the right tools, and make their comfort a priority. Bonus points if you make them a frozen banana smoothie along the way.
Got your own summer doggy dos? I’d love to hear them — share your tips in the comments!
Stay cool (both of you),
Audrey
