Tips to help keep your pets healthy and cool during hot weather

Unlike us dogs and cats can only pant or sweat through their paws to reduce body temperature. An obvious starting point is to make sure they have access to a shady area and water at all times! Here are some more things you can do to help keep them healthy and cool:

Our pets are generally good at regulating their temperature in warmer weather, as long as they have a choice of area and access to plenty of fresh water. However, cats and dogs with flat faces, as well as those that are very young or old need extra care as they are often more susceptible to the effects of heat.

The need for plenty of fresh water is important because our furry friends rely on water evaporation to cool down and this increases their risk of dehydration. In contrast to humans, where sweating and breathing provide this evaporation, our cats and dogs are mostly restricted to breathing and panting as the only means of evaporation and cooling. For this reason we need to bring plenty of water whenever we walk or travel with our pets, especially during hot weather.

Making good choices in the hot weather

So with the more obvious water quote out of the way, I prefer to then focus on “choice” next, as to me this is such a key component of any conversation about animals and hot weather.

The animals' choice

Make sure your pet has a choice of different and cooler environments during hot weather. You should aim to provide the most suitable environment for those pets that are kept in a restricted space without the ability to roam around, such as for example rabbits and guinea pigs.

Never leave your pets alone in the car and consider the temperature at their location when driving as it often differs a lot from the temperature in the front of the car.

Our choice

We should always remember that as a pet owner, we have a choice in regards to what we do with our pets and when we do it. It is important that we make the best decisions for our animals when the weather is hot, and we should keep in mind that the house is often the coolest place during hot weather.

Many pets will be safer inside the house than outside and sometimes it is better to leave them at home when we go out, as long as they have a choice of space and the rooms are not too hot. We should also consider reducing the exercise during hot weather to lower the risk of heatstroke. Normal exercise and play can then resume once the heatwave has passed.

Walking exercise in the early mornings and late in the evening, when sun is low in the sky and the temperatures are lower is the best option if possible.

Make sure to test the pavement temperature before setting off and choose grassed areas if pavements are too hot.

Dogs in hot weather

Most dogs are very good at cooling themselves through evaporation when they breathe or pant and they also have a very limited amount of sweat glands in between their toes. Unlike cats, dogs naturally use open mouth breathing as well as their very dynamic tongue to increase the area of evaporation and thereby cooling. We see this all year round during periods of exercise but even more during warmer weather.

Dogs and exercise in the heat

Then we talk about exercise and dogs, we must recognise that dogs could learn a lot from cats in regards to exercise and hot weather. Dogs can simply not understand the consequences of exercise in hot weather and they will continue their quest to have maximum fun and please us at every opportunity. So when it comes to dogs, we must be the decision makers, and consider if our plans are in the best interest of our dog or if the dog is better off being at home or exercised without the ball for example. This needs to be our decision as dogs will otherwise go with the flow until it is too late.

We need to be extra careful with our brachycephalic dogs with flat faces as they have a decreased ability to keep cool through respiration. Other dogs that need more consideration are young puppies, over weight or older dogs and dogs with medical conditions such as heart or respiratory disease.

Top tips for dogs in hot weather

Time your walks
Walk your dog in the early morning and late evening to prevent overheating or dehydration in the heat of the day
Don't leave them in the car
NEVER leave your dog in a vehicle on a warm or sunny day. Opening car windows is not enough as the temperature inside can very quickly rise to dangerous levels.
Be wary of overheating
If you think your dog is overheating (panting, salivating, lethargic), cool them down as soon as possible. Use cool water - let them paddle in it or rinse them down. Overheating can quickly become a veterinary emergency, so if there’s no improvement, contact a vet straight away.
Check the ground temperature
Be aware that paving, pavements and sand can be painful for your dog to walk on. Check it. If it feels hot to touch it is not suitable for your dog’s pads.

Cats in hot weather

Cats are generally very good at cooling themselves, most likely due to their wild ancestors that lived in the deserts. One exception however are brachycephalic cats with flat noses such as persians or scottish fold cats, as their short noses restrict airflow and this reduces their ability to cool down.

How cats cool down

Cats do not have sweat glands and they therefore rely on evaporation through respiration to cool themselves down. In very hot weather they may be seen to lick their coat in order to provide additional cooling from evaporation.

Give them shady options

When the weather is hot, cats will often find shade and relax outside or they might seek cooler temperatures in the house, so make sure that the cat flap is always open.

We should always consider the possibility of keeping cats inside during hot weather, especially those that are more suceptable to heatstroke such as overweight cats, young kittens, older cats, cats with flat faces, and those with medical conditions such as heart disease or asthma.

Cats do not pant like dogs so any panting or open mouth breathing in a cat should be treated as a veterinary emergency.

Top tips for cats in hot weather

Consider pet friendly sunscreen
Cats with white hair and pink noses are more susceptible to sunburn than other animals. Ear tips are at particular risk of developing skin cancer so apply pet friendly sunscreen throughout the summer months
Give them constant access to fresh cool water
If you think your cat is not drinking enough, consider introducing a pet water fountain - they are usually more inclined to drink from running water.

Rabbits outside in hot weather

Keep your rabbits’ enclosure and bottoms as clean as possible. Fly strike can happen very quickly and it takes just one fly to cause all sorts of misery for your bunny

On particularly warm days, wetting bunny ears with a fine mist of cool (not cold) water helps to keep them cool.

Freeze bottles of water and place them around the hutch and run for the rabbits to lean on if they are feeling hot.

Tops tips to consider for all pets in hot weather

1
Provide ample shade and ventilation
All pets need access to shaded areas throughout the day. Dogs and rabbits can benefit from a covered patio, a doghouse, or a well-ventilated hutch, while cats may prefer cool spots indoors. Consider using shades, umbrellas, or outdoor pet tents to create additional shaded areas in your backyard.
2
Keep fresh water available
Dehydration is a significant concern for all pets in hot weather. Always provide your pets with a fresh and clean supply of water. Dogs and cats typically drink from bowls, so ensure they are readily available and refreshed frequently. For rabbits, provide a water bottle attached to their enclosure or hutch, and check it regularly to ensure it's working properly.
3
Never leave pets in cars
Leaving any pet in a parked car, even for a short time, can be extremely dangerous. Cars can quickly become like ovens, causing heatstroke and potentially fatal consequences. Whether you're traveling with a dog, cat, or rabbit, it's best to leave them at home where they are safe and comfortable.
4
Adjust exercise routines
Modify your pet's exercise routine during hot weather to prevent overheating and exhaustion. Schedule walks, playtime, and exercise sessions during the cooler hours of the day, such as early mornings or evenings. Bear in mind that sometimes it is simply too hot to go for a walk for many dogs.
5
Protect their paws and skin
Hot pavement or sand can burn your pet's paw pads. Before going for a walk, place your hand on the ground to check its temperature. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your pet's paws. Dogs and cats can benefit from paw protection products like booties or paw wax, while rabbits should avoid hot surfaces altogether.

Before you head out for a walk, consider applying dog-safe sunscreen to prevent sunburn.
6
Watch for signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke is a serious condition for pets. Be vigilant and look for symptoms such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, vomiting, or collapse. If you suspect heatstroke, move your pet to a cool area immediately, offer water to drink, and seek veterinary assistance promptly.

Overheating can happen faster than you think, make sure you know how to recognise the signs.
7
Create cooling stations
Help your pet beat the heat by setting up cooling stations. For dogs, provide a damp towel or a cooling mat in their favorite resting areas. Cats appreciate access to cool, tiled surfaces or a chilled bed. Rabbits can benefit from ceramic tiles or frozen water bottles wrapped in a towel in their enclosure. Additionally, ensure a well-ventilated and cool indoor environment with fans or air conditioning.
8
Groom regularly
Regular grooming is essential for all pets during hot weather. Brushing your dog or cat's coat helps remove loose fur and promotes better air circulation. Cats may also benefit from occasional brushing to help reduce shedding. For rabbits, grooming involves regular checks for matted fur and ensuring they have a clean and well-maintained coat.
9
Check for grass seeds and ticks

With the warmer weather comes other hazards to be aware of, especially in the garden and when out for walks. Grass seeds, while small and seemingly harmless, can pose very real dangers to dogs, so make sure you check your dog’s paws, ears, eyes and nose after every walk.

Ticks are most active during warmer months, but they can be prevented and safely removed if necessary. Read our handy tick guide to find out how to protect your dog against ticks.
10
Understand adder bite danger

Keep dogs on a lead in areas where adders are known to be present, such as heathlands, moorlands, and coastal sand dunes. They can also be found in many of our gardens in warmer months so try to keep pets away from areas they are likely to be attracted to. Adders are particularly drawn to undisturbed spots, especially areas that offer warmth for basking and cover for hiding.

Find out what happened to Agria customer Oakley when he disturbed an adder while out for a walk.

The best advice we can give is to be aware of your pets additional needs in warmer weather. A healthy pet can rapidly become seriously ill due to heat, so by following these simple steps you can enjoy the summer safely together.

More hot weather advice for pets

Written by: Lars Mortensen
Last reviewed on: 26 June 2026

About the Author

Lars Mortensen, DVM, MRCVS, has two decades of veterinary experience in both Equine and small animal practice. Lars is the UK head veterinarian at Agria's veterinary advice service and he also enjoys working as an equine ambulatory vet. He lives in a small Northamptonshire village with his family, a border collie and a retired racehorse.