Top Tips to Help Your Pet Beat the Heat This Summer

Top Tips to Help Your Pet Beat the Heat This Summer

How to Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer: A Complete Guide for Pet Owners

Summer in the UK may not be scorching every day, but heatwaves and humid spells can still be dangerous for our furry companions. Dogs, cats, and small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs can all suffer from heat stress, and some are more at risk than others — especially older pets, flat-faced breeds, and those with thick coats.

Here’s your complete guide to keeping your pets cool, comfortable, and safe during hot summer days.

Why Keeping Pets Cool Is So Important ‼️

Pets can’t sweat like humans do — they mostly regulate their temperature through panting, resting in cool areas, and in some cases (like cats), grooming themselves. But when the temperature rises, so does the risk of:

  • Heatstroke

  • Dehydration

  • Burns from hot surfaces

  • Lethargy or loss of appetite

Prevention is KEY — once a pet overheats, it can be life-threatening.

1. Keep Them Hydrated 💧 

Water is your pet’s best friend during hot days.

  • Always ensure fresh, cool water is available — indoors and outdoors

  • Use ceramic or stainless-steel bowls (they keep water cooler than plastic)

  • Add ice cubes to drinking water (especially for dogs)

  • Offer pet-safe frozen treats like ice cubes made with chicken stock (low salt) or fruit-infused water

💡 Top Tip: You can even buy water fountains for cats and dogs who love running water.

2. Keep Their Living Environment Cool 🏡 

Where your pet spends most of their time can heat up quickly.

Indoors:

  • Keep curtains & blinds drawn during peak sunlight

  • Provide shaded, ventilated areas

  • Use cooling mats or damp towels for pets to lie on

  • Run a fan or use pet-safe cooling devices (but never point directly at caged pets)

Outdoors:

  • Create shaded areas with umbrellas or pop-up tents

  • Never leave pets in greenhouses, conservatories, or cars — even with windows open

  • Keep walks or playtime to early morning or late evening

3. Avoid the Midday Heat ⚠️

The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm, and that’s when the risk of heatstroke is highest.

  • Walk dogs early or late — never during peak sun

  • Test pavements with the “7-second rule” — if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for paws

  • Keep high-energy play short and gentle

4. Offer Cooling Treats 🧊 

Cool, safe snacks can help your pet chill out.

  • Frozen banana slices or blueberries (for dogs)

  • Ice cubes with herbs like parsley or coriander (for small pets)

  • Lick mats smeared with xylitol-free peanut butter, frozen for a cooling challenge

⚠️ Avoid ice cream, rich dairy, or anything with added sugar or xylitol (toxic to pets).

5. Grooming and Coat Care ✂️

Excess fur holds heat, especially in long-haired breeds.

  • Brush regularly to remove dead hair and mats

  • For some dogs, a light summer trim can help (but avoid shaving too close to the skin)

  • Never wet a guinea pig or rabbit entirely — they can easily catch a chill or go into shock

💡 A cool, damp cloth wiped over your dog or cat can provide relief without soaking them.

6. Extra Tips for Small Pets (Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters) 🐹 

Small animals are very heat-sensitive — especially if they live in hutches or cages.

  • Move hutches out of direct sunlight

  • Place frozen water bottles (wrapped in a towel) in the cage for them to lie near

  • Use cool ceramic tiles or frozen veg as enrichment

  • Mist the air (not the pet) around their space to lower temperature

⚠️ Never use fans directly on cages — they can chill or stress your pet.

Watch for Signs of Heatstroke 🚨 

Know the warning signs:

  • Excessive panting or drooling

  • Lethargy or confusion

  • Rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing

  • Vomiting or collapse

If you suspect heatstroke:

  1. Move your pet to a cool area

  2. Offer small amounts of cool water

  3. Use cool (not cold) wet cloths on their belly, paws, and armpits

  4. Contact your vet immediately

Final Thoughts: Stay Cool, Stay Safe…

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your pet — but keeping them cool is crucial for their wellbeing. With a bit of planning, you can help your dog, cat, or small pet stay happy, hydrated, and heat-safe all season long.

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