Too Hot to Trot? Summer Safety Tips for Dogs
6/23/2025
Too Hot to Trot? Summer Safety Tips for Dogs
June 23, 2025|Blogs with Freebies
🧊 Plus: Can Dogs Really Eat Ice? (Spoiler: Yes.)
Summer’s here, the sun’s blazing, and your dog’s giving you that “walk?” face.
But before you grab the leash and melt into the pavement together, let’s talk about what your dog really needs in the heat — and bust a few myths along the way.
Dogs don’t sweat like we do. Instead, they pant to cool down, and it’s not always enough. When the heat rises, it’s not just uncomfortable — it can be downright dangerous. Fortunately, a few smart strategies (and maybe a frozen treat or two) can go a long way toward keeping your pup safe and happy.
🧊 Myth #1: “Ice Cubes Are Dangerous for Dogs”
❌ The myth: Ice will shock their system, cause bloat, or kill them.
✅ The truth: Ice cubes are totally safe for healthy dogs — and even encouraged by vets. They can slow down drinking, prevent dehydration, and offer a refreshing crunch on hot days.
The only exception?
🚫 Don’t give ice if your dog is already overheated or in heatstroke. In that case, offer cool (not icy) water and start gradual cooling while calling your vet immediately.
🆘 Know the Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke in dogs can come on fast — especially during humid days, after intense activity, or if they’re left in a hot car.
⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For:
Heavy panting
Heavy pantingtongue or gums
Glazed eyes or confusion
Excessive drooling
Weakness, collapse, vomiting
Seizures in advanced stages
✅ What to Do:
Move them to a shaded or cool area
Offer cool (not icy) water
Wet their paws, ears, and underarms with a damp towel
Use airflow (fan, AC, open windows)
Call your vet immediately
📥 Want a FREE printable version?
👉 Download the Summer Heatstroke Checklist Card
🚗 Never Leave Your Dog in a Parked Car (Even with the Windows Open)
Even with cracked windows, the inside of your car can turn deadly fast.
☀️ Did you know? This is due to the greenhouse effect — sunlight enters through the windows and gets trapped inside, rapidly raising the internal temperature.
On a 26°C day, your car can hit:
37°C in 10 minutes
43°C in 20 minutes
Even if your dog seems fine, brain damage and heatstroke can happen in minutes.
💨 If your dog absolutely must come with you:
Park in full shade, keep the engine and A/C running, stay close by, and never leave them unattended. But when possible, just leave them at home where it’s safe, cool, and stress-free.
If you wouldn’t sit in your car in a fur coat with no water — don’t ask your dog to.
🐾 Too Hot to Walk? Try These Instead
It’s okay (actually, it’s smart) to skip your regular walk when it’s blazing out.
Cool Activity Ideas:
Indoor scent games or snuffle mats
Frozen lick mats with goat milk, raw food, or broth
Tug-of-war in the living room
Frozen raw meaty bones like pig tails or turkey necks (supervised!)
Splash time in a kiddie pool
Training sessions under a fan
🧠 Science says: Mental stimulation can tire dogs out just as much as physical activity. In fact, 15 minutes of nosework or puzzle-solving can burn as much energy as a 30-minute walk — and with zero risk of overheating.
🔥 Myth #2: “Dogs’ Paws Can Handle Hot Pavement”
❌ The myth: “If they’re not limping, they’re fine.”
✅ The truth: Dogs’ paw pads can burn just like our skin — and they’ll often keep walking even when it hurts.
Use the 7-Second Rule:
Place the back of your hand or palm on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there for a full 7 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Stick to early morning or late evening walks, grassy paths, or shaded trails.
🏖️ Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget Hot Sand at the Beach
That beautiful shoreline? It might be burning your dog’s paws.
The top layer of sand can get dangerously hot — even more than pavement
Carry your dog across the hottest stretch, especially if they’re small or older
Dig out a cool pit for them to lie in — just a few inches down, the sand is much cooler
Bring a cooling mat or light-coloured blanket (avoid black!) to give them a comfortable place to sit
Bonus points if you shade it with an umbrella or pop-up canopy.
✂️ Myth #3: “Shaving My Dog Helps Them Stay Cool”
❌ The myth: Less fur = less heat
✅ The truth: Your dog’s coat acts like natural insulation, protecting them from both heat and sunburn.
Shaving double-coated breeds like Huskies, Goldens, and Shepherds can actually make them hotter — and damage their coat permanently. Instead, brush regularly to remove dead undercoat and help airflow naturally.
🍽️ Frozen Radowg = Summer Enrichment Win
You don’t need fancy gadgets — just some Radowg and a freezer.
Serve it:
As a frozen brick (aka: a PUPscicle)
In semi-frozen chunks for crunch and variety
Scooped into silicone moulds or ice cube trays for grab-and-go snacks
Every option keeps your pup cool, calm, and happily licking.
💡 Wanna Get Fancy? Try Frozen Functional Treats
You can also level up your frozen treat game with a little DIY wellness magic. These trends are all over social — and for good reason:
🫐 Frozen goat milk cubes with calming herbs like chamomile, valerian, or lemon balm
🥬 Fermented veggie slushies (probiotic power!)
🍄 Bone broth frozen with mushroom powder for gut and immune support
🥣 Kefir and blueberry cubes for cooling antioxidants
🎃 Pumpkin purée with flaxseed or turmeric, a splash of water, and frozen in moulds for digestion and inflammation support
📝 Watch for our upcoming blog:
“Top Frozen Treats to Keep Your Dog Cool & Healthy This Summer.”
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a frozen treat, a sniff session, or a skipped walk in favour of splash time, summer safety isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing smarter.
So fire up that freezer, grab your PUPscicle moulds, and let your dog chill in style.
You’ve got this. 🐾❄️
📚 References:
American Kennel Club (AKC) – Can Dogs Have Ice Cubes?
Blue Cross UK – Ice Cubes for Dogs
Bark Blog – Heat Exhaustion in Dogs
PetMD & VCA Hospitals – Heatstroke, Greenhouse Effect & Hot Pavement Risks in Dogs
Dog Cognition Studies – Mental enrichment equivalence to physical exercise
#SummerDogTips #KeepDogsCool #DogHeatstroke #RawFeedingTips #DogEnrichment
#HotDogSummer #FrozenDogTreats #RadowgRecipes #CoolDogVibes #SafePupSummer #radowg #rawdog #MentalStimulationMatters #ChillWithYourDog