We underestimate heat. Especially as dog owners. It feels manageable, it is "just a quick walk", the dog loves going out. But while you are standing in shoes, your dog is walking barefoot on asphalt that is 30 degrees hotter than the air.

This article is a complete heatwave plan for dogs. The emergency protocol comes first, because every minute counts when a dog is overheating. Below that you will find the symptoms, the first aid steps, what you should never do, and how to prevent it from getting that far. Save this article or share it with everyone who has a dog. One message can save a paw, and sometimes a life.

Emergency protocol: do this now

Do you suspect your dog is overheating? Follow these three steps, in this order. Start now and read the rest of the article once the cooling is underway.

The numbers behind the heat

The air temperature is what the thermometer shows, but your dog does not walk in the air. They walk on asphalt, paving stones and sand. These surfaces are always hotter than the air, often 20 to 30 degrees hotter. And unlike the sole of your shoe, there is nothing at all between your dog's paw pads and that scorching surface.

How hot does the ground actually get?

Source: Vier Pfoten (DE), RSPCA, Blue Cross.

During the current European heatwave, records are being broken everywhere: Spain 42.7°C, France 40°C+ with asphalt reaching up to 80°C, Germany 41°C, UK 38°C (hottest June day on record). The heat dome is expected to remain active for several more days.

The pavement hand test

Place the back of your hand flat on the pavement for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws. That simple. Do this test every time before you head out, even in the shade, even in the evening, even when it seems fine.

Recognising symptoms in two phases

Overheating develops in phases. What can still be reversed with cooling and rest in the first phase becomes a veterinary emergency in the second phase, where every minute counts. Learn to recognise both.

First aid step by step

1. Move your dog to the coolest spot you have. Indoors with air conditioning or a fan is ideal. Otherwise, shade with airflow.
2. Remove the collar and harness. Anything that traps heat around the neck must come off.
3. Cool with lukewarm water, not ice cold. Start at the spots where major blood vessels run: belly, armpits, groin, neck. Then work over the rest of the body.
4. Point a fan or open a window towards the wet coat. The combination of moisture and airflow cools much faster than water alone.
5. Offer lukewarm water in small sips. Do not force it if your dog is not drinking or not fully alert.
6. Call your vet or local emergency animal clinic as soon as cooling is underway. Even if your dog seems to be recovering: overheating can cause internal organ damage to the kidneys, liver, brain and heart that only becomes apparent later.
7. Transport with wet towels over the body, air conditioning on in the car, windows open. Keep cooling on the way.

What you should never do

Three things people accidentally do that make it worse. Remember these.

Checklist before you head out

A quick checklist before you go outside with your dog in warm weather. Print it out or save it in your notes.

If in doubt: skip the walk. Missing a day or replacing it with indoor activity (snuffle mat, short training session, chew toy) is always better than an overheated dog.

Which dogs are at extra risk?

Not every dog faces the same level of risk. Research from the Royal Veterinary College (Davies et al., 2020, published in Scientific Reports, based on 905,543 dogs in UK veterinary practices) confirms which groups are most vulnerable. Three groups deserve particular attention: short-legged dogs, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds and large dogs.

Short-legged dogs: closer to the hot surface

Pugs, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Corgis, Scottish Terriers, Welsh Corgis, Jack Russells, Beagles. Their belly sits sometimes only 15 to 25 centimetres above the ground. That is exactly the zone where the heat radiating from the asphalt accumulates.

At 30°C (86°F) air temperature and 57°C (135°F) asphalt, the air layer directly above the ground is often warmer than the measured air temperature. A dog with long legs like a Greyhound breathes in cooler air at 60 cm height. A Dachshund breathes in the hottest layer directly above the asphalt at just 20 cm. That difference is greater than you might think.

In practice: for short-legged dogs the threshold is not 25°C (77°F) but already 22-23°C (72-73°F). Account for extra radiant heat from below, not just from above. A walk on grass or in the forest is much safer than a paved path in the shade.

Brachycephalic breeds: panting does not work well

Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Pekingese, Brussels Griffons. Dogs cool themselves almost entirely through panting (dogs cannot sweat through their coat, only through their paw pads). Brachycephalic breeds have a narrowed airway due to their flat skull, an elongated soft palate and often narrow nostrils. Panting costs them far more energy and produces far less cooling.

Recent VetCompass research (2022) found that brachycephalic dogs have approximately three times the risk of a fatal heatstroke (odds ratio 3.01). For Pugs, French Bulldogs and Boxers, a walk at 25°C (77°F) is already a serious strain. Tip: lower your own threshold by 5°C (9°F) compared to a healthy Labrador. Walk only in the early morning, briefly, and on grass.

Large and heavy dogs: heat is harder to release

Saint Bernards, Leonbergers, Newfoundlands, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Kuvaszok, Alaskan Malamutes. Dogs above 30 kg (66 lbs), particularly those above 50 kg (110 lbs), are structurally more vulnerable. Two physical reasons:

• Surface-to-volume ratio. The larger the body, the less skin surface per kilogram of body weight. Heat is released through skin and breathing. A dog of 60 kg (132 lbs) needs to shed six times as much heat as a dog of 10 kg (22 lbs), but does not have six times as much "cooling surface" to do so.
• Coat designed for cold climates. Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands, Leonbergers, Malamutes and Kuvaszok were bred for mountains, sea or arctic conditions. Their dense undercoat and double coat keeps the cold out, but also keeps heat in. In summer conditions, this works against them.

In the Davies study, dogs heavier than 50 kg (110 lbs) had significantly higher odds of a heat-related incident, even at relatively moderate temperatures. For these breeds: short walks on grass before 9am and after 9pm, no active play in the sun, a cooling mat indoors, fresh water in multiple locations. At 30°C (86°F) or above, ideally keep them indoors altogether.

Other risk groups

• ✓Seniors (8+ years). Poorer temperature regulation and often underlying health conditions.
• ✓Puppies (under 6 months). Temperature regulation is not yet fully developed.
• ✓Overweight. Fat tissue insulates heat and the extra body mass means more heat production during exercise.
• ✓Heart and lung conditions. Any condition that puts a strain on breathing or circulation increases the risk.
• ✓Dark or thick coat. Especially black dogs absorb more radiant heat from the sun.

Do you have a dog from one of these groups? Lower your threshold by 3 to 5°C (5 to 9°F). What is still acceptable for a healthy Border Collie can already be life-threatening for a French Bulldog or Saint Bernard.

Share this heatwave emergency card

Send this to everyone with a dog. One message can save a paw, and sometimes a life.

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk my dog when it is 30°C (86°F)?+

Not between 12pm and 6pm, and only on grass or in the shade. Asphalt at 30°C (86°F) is already around 57°C (135°F), which is enough to cause burns. Choose early morning (before 9am) or late evening (after 9pm) and keep the walk short.

How do I know if the pavement is too hot?+

Do the hand test. Place the back of your hand flat on the pavement for 7 seconds. If you cannot hold it there without pain, it is too hot for your dog's paw pads.

My dog is panting a lot, is that serious?+

Panting is your dog's normal way of cooling down. But heavier panting than usual, combined with drooling, restlessness, a dark red tongue or staggering is no longer normal panting. That points to heat stress or worse. Cool down immediately.

Can I use cold water from the garden hose?+

Garden hose water that has run for a few seconds is usually lukewarm enough, which is perfectly fine for cooling. The very first water that comes out can be scalding hot if the hose has been lying in the sun, so let it run briefly before wetting your dog. Ice-cold tap water is not recommended due to the risk of shock.

Which breeds are at extra risk?+

Three groups: short-legged breeds (Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Corgis) who sit closer to the hot surface, brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers) who cannot pant efficiently, and large heavy dogs (Saint Bernards, Leonbergers, Mastiffs) who struggle to release body heat. Plus seniors, puppies, overweight dogs and dogs with heart or lung conditions. Source: Davies et al., 2020, Royal Veterinary College.

What if I have no car and my dog needs the vet?+

Call your vet or local emergency animal clinic immediately for advice. They can guide you on transport options or send someone. Always start cooling first before you wait or travel.

Do cooling mats or cooling vests actually help?+

For prevention, cooling mats and cooling vests are useful, particularly for brachycephalic dogs or seniors. They are not a replacement for avoiding walks in the hottest part of the day: a cooling vest is not a pass to walk in the heat.

In summary

Heatwaves are becoming more intense and more frequent across Europe. What was exceptional ten years ago is now normal weather for July and August, and increasingly for June too. A heatwave plan for your dog is no longer excessive caution, it is basic animal care.

Save this article or bookmark it. Share it with everyone with a dog around you. If you are unsure about your dog's health, call your vet. Better to call once too often than not at all.

Hydration: make sure your dog keeps drinking

In warm weather, dogs need 25 to 50 percent more water than usual, depending on activity and temperature. What helps: fresh, cool, flowing water. Many dogs drink more from a water fountain than from a standing bowl, because the sound and movement motivate them. For brachycephalic breeds and seniors, who dehydrate faster, that can make a real difference.

No water fountain? Fresh water in a clean bowl, refreshed two to three times a day, with a couple of ice cubes added, works too. Place multiple bowls in different spots around the house and garden. A dog that has to search for water in the heat will drink less.

Disclaimer: this article is an informational guide and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. If in doubt or in case of acute symptoms, call your vet or local emergency animal clinic immediately.

Sources