Health & Safety

7 heatwave mistakes UK dog owners make (and how to fix them)

British summers are mild until they aren't. Seven heatwave slip-ups, and the fix for each.

By 4 min read
7 heatwave mistakes UK dog owners make (and how to fix them)

British summers hand us a few properly hot days, and that is why they catch dogs out. Our homes, cars and walking habits are built for drizzle, so when a heatwave arrives, your dog feels it first.

These mistakes come from treating a heatwave like an ordinary sunny day, not from a lack of care. Here are the seven that trip up UK owners most, with a fix for each.

In a heatwave, walk before 10am or after 7pm and test the pavement with your palm for seven seconds first. Never leave your dog in the car, keep the house as cool as you can, carry water and shade on days out, and learn the signs of heatstroke. On the hottest days, swap the long walk for a frozen treat indoors.

What time should I walk my dog in a heatwave?

The mistake: keeping the usual lunchtime or after-school walk because that is when it fits.

The fix: walk before 10am or after 7pm while the hot spell lasts. A short, cool walk beats a long, hot one, and on the worst days a potter round the garden is plenty.

Freezball fillable dog chew bone, frozen and ready after a cool morning walk

Freezbone tip

Fill and freeze a Freezbone the night before, so a cool reward is waiting when you get back from an early walk.

How hot is too hot for paws on a UK pavement?

The mistake: judging the walk by the air temperature. Tarmac and paving stones get much hotter than the air above them.

Air temperaturePavement can reach roughly
20°C27°C
28°C38°C
32°C57°C

The fix: the seven-second test. Press your palm flat on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for seven seconds, it is too hot for paws. Stick to grass and earthy paths, use a paw balm, and check pads after walks for redness, cracks or blisters.

Can I leave my dog in the car for five minutes?

The mistake: "I'll only be a minute" at the petrol station or the supermarket.

A parked car can reach dangerous temperatures within ten minutes, even with the windows open a crack. Leaving the air con running is no safety net: it can fail, and heatstroke comes on fast.

If you cannot take your dog in with you, leave them at home.

The fix: run errands without your dog on hot days. On long journeys, travel early or late, take water, and stop somewhere shady for breaks.

What should I take on a beach day with my dog?

The mistake: heading for the coast or a big park with a ball and nothing else.

Fetch on hot sand can tip into heat exhaustion fast, because excited dogs rarely rest on their own.

  • Shade: a beach tent, umbrella or a spot under the trees.
  • Fresh water and a bowl: seawater is no substitute and can make dogs ill.
  • Rest breaks: call time on fetch before your dog does.
  • The rules: some beaches restrict dogs in summer, so check the signs first.

Do dogs need sun cream?

The mistake: assuming a coat is protection enough. Dogs with pale or thin fur, pink noses or short coats can burn, especially on the nose, the tips of the ears and the belly.

The fix: use a sun cream made for dogs on those sensitive areas, reapply it every two hours, and keep them out of the midday sun.

How do I keep my dog cool at home without air con?

The mistake: leaving the house to bake. Most British homes have no air con, and conservatories and top-floor flats get very hot.

  • Close curtains on the sunny side in the morning, before the heat builds.
  • Offer a cool spot: a tiled floor, a damp towel or a fan nearby.
  • Keep the conservatory door shut.
  • Put out several bowls of fresh water, with a few ice cubes as a nice extra.

FreezFlower Cup frozen treat cup for dogs

A frozen treat is the easy win: filled and frozen, a toy keeps your dog cool and busy for up to 45 minutes. Our five summer treats your dog will love are a good place to start.

What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?

The mistake: putting it down to tiredness. Heatstroke can look like a dog who has simply overdone it.

  • Heavy panting that does not settle with rest
  • Drooling
  • Bright red gums
  • Confusion, wobbliness or seeming not quite with it
  • If you see these, move your dog somewhere cool and shady, offer water, and call your vet straight away

Flat-faced breeds, older dogs and heavier dogs struggle most, so watch them closely. A frozen toy keeps a dog comfortable on hot days; it is not a treatment for heatstroke.

What can my dog do on days too hot for a walk?

The mistake: cancelling the walk and replacing it with nothing. A bored dog stuck indoors will find their own entertainment, and it is often the sofa.

The fix: give their brain the workout instead. Working a frozen fill out of a toy is calm, absorbing and tiring in a good way.

Freezball fillable dog chew bone

“My dog loves the frozen sunflower dog chew. Use it after a long day outside - calms her and cools her off at the same time - thank you!”
Kimberly H., verified buyer

Hot week ahead? Our guide to batch-freezing seven days of enrichment helps, and the Freezbone recipe videos have plenty of fill ideas.

School holidays coming up? Our August guide for dog owners covers day trips and staycations.

General information, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog is overheating, contact your vet immediately.

Frequently asked questions

  • Do the seven-second test: press your palm on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for seven seconds, it is too hot for paws. In a heatwave, walk before 10am or after 7pm.

  • There is no single cut-off, but pavements get much hotter than the air. At 28°C air temperature a pavement can reach around 38°C, and at 32°C it can reach around 57°C.

  • No. A parked car can reach dangerous temperatures within ten minutes, even with the windows open a crack, and air con left running can fail.

  • Heavy panting that does not settle, drooling, bright red gums and confusion. Move your dog somewhere cool, offer water and call your vet straight away.

  • Close curtains on the sunny side early, offer a cool floor or damp towel and a fan, keep them out of the conservatory, and put out plenty of fresh water. A frozen treat helps too.

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Written by Freezbone Team

We design freezable, refillable chew toys and test every fill and routine on our own dogs before we write about it. Freezbone LTD ships across the UK.

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