Keeping Your Dog Cool in Summer: A Guide

Study Time: 8 minutes

Updated June 2026

Keeping your dog cool in the summer doesn’t have to cost a fortune…

As every furry dog ​​owner knows, while summer opens our doors and brings in all those lovely vitamins, for our furry friends it represents a host of problems. Most important is the crippling fear of letting our dog overheat.

Only last summer, our neighbor’s little dog Frankie ran away on a hot day (not the super hot ones that made us all cry – like the 26 degree one), came back an hour later (after one hell of a game) suffering from multiple organ failure…and died that night. This news is really upsetting and for an already mentally ill dog owner, it’s made it my full-time summer goal to keep my fur baby comfortable and hydrated. All is well and good…until you meet Edgar.

Meet Edgar

Edgar is a long-haired Jack Russell Terrier with very shaggy hair. He also hates the puppy house. We have tried to get him clipped many times (and will continue to try) and have been called to pick him up. The biggest we ever got was a mobile groom shave that gave our boy some kind of reverse Brazilian: after stripping his bum, he went so crazy you couldn’t stop him from finishing it off… you get the picture.

So, while you may judge and try to give unsolicited advice (we have an assistant trainer and an appointment next week) you might as well admit that we learned a great deal about keeping fluffer cool in hot weather. And although our situation is not good, it is not the same time and many friends admitted that they have had similar tests in the entertainment area.

These tips will help. After trying and testing many products, we can tell you our top five products we use to keep Edgar cool this summer.

First things first

While products and shopping can help, the most important thing is to make sure your child always has access to shade and water. Despite this, things are still going well: one scary story about a beautiful French Bulldog named Bruno dying while sleeping in the shade was shared last summer to really help dog owners remember that. Hydration is absolutely essential and on very hot days, we tend to keep them indoors better. You should also never take them with you on hot days… remember the saying about mad dogs and the English? Zanele said. If the ground is too hot to walk on barefoot, it is certainly theirs. BE VERY CAREFUL if you have astroturf in your garden, as this is incredibly hot in the summer for a pet’s paws.

I must also defend myself and say, I am not a veterinarian or an “expert”, so although these tips have helped us with young Edgar, it is always worth looking at them from an effective source, because watering or wetting your hot animal with very cold water can also have harmful effects.

What products have we tried?

Here are some of the cheaper options…

Kitty Litter Tray

Although a strange proposition, these are cheap and Edgar lives in this cool little bath regularly. The water is a little warm in the sun, so it does not shock the system – it is also good for outdoor bathing. The one pictured was around £14 a few years ago (* here). This is only a fiver – *Click here.

I honestly recommend this as he can rest happily in the shade on it. However you are JRT, therefore, JRT size. I wouldn’t recommend it to my friend with three Newfies.

Dog ice cream

This is a bit of a take away. I’m not so sure about most dogs like them. Every time I get carried away and buy one for Edgar, I think I’m some kind of dog, most of it goes in the bin or another dog owner. In fact, most day trips this time of year seem to involve being handed over to another grumpy dog ​​owner… so Edgar can turn his nose up again. I should also add that Edgar has no problem. This is a dog who eats almost everything and gnaws on a turd given half a chance.

Dog&Bond won…

Edgar absolutely loves Dog & Bond ice cream, and his favorite flavors are peanut butter and strawberry. When he sees the mold tray coming out, he is very happy, wagging his tail and patiently waiting for his special taste. There’s something about Dog & Bond that he loves more than any dog ​​ice cream tub we’ve ever tried. You absolutely love this homemade frozen treat, and it’s easy to see why. Watching her happiness build as it freezes, and then seeing how happy she is when she finds it, makes it a lovely little tradition for both of us.

You can also try filling Kongs or Lick Mats with their favorite wet food, while natural Greek yoghurt (with no added sugar) is creamy without any weird ingredients in dog-specific products (and cheaper at around £2.50 for a 1kg tub!). Freeze toys to make the fun last while keeping your pooch cool.

A paddling pool

Let’s face it! This is the exact same goal as the Kitty Litter tray, but with the added fun of sitting in it with her! My niece spent a lot of money last summer staying with Edgar so what’s not to love? They come in many different sizes but this one seems to be strong as it is in its third summer and still going strong. My friend’s lab absolutely loves hers too.

My only complaint would be that Edgar tries to get into it a little bit. So sometimes you need a little help. Again, this is Edgar playing with us. He does agility and jumps a little when he wants to be. He clearly loves that little cwtch. So, if your Dog just stands next to him and looks at you with his paws out… you are guilty. This is not the fault of the paddling pool … the fault of someone (me) treating their dog like a helpless little ant. This is the one we have.

Cooling Towel

I recommend this item to everyone! I originally got one from Pets at Home about five years ago (four years ago), but I needed to replace it (due to age, nothing bad) so I went for this one. It’s a bit more at £14.99 but well worth it when the heat rises. I put this on Edgar (as the picture shows) and he wears it for as long as he needs. Sometimes it can be like a game of hoopla, throw it down on his back and stay. He wore it all day and didn’t overheat.

When he begins to pant, this continues and works within a minute. I bought one for my Aunt’s dog (a collie) and she agrees with its ease immediately. So good that I got one for myself last summer. I would sleep with it on top of my feet when the temperature got dull and even though I don’t stop panting like Edgar does, it’s one of my favorite summer must-haves.

Pets At Home also make a large range of cooling products:

Sunny Daze Cooling Mat

No one needs a hot dog on a hot day, and the Cooling Mat is the perfect addition to your summer comfort toolbox. Perfect for use after exercise or on hot summer days, the cooling effect of the non-toxic gel can help prevent heat-related discomfort. No additional water or cooling required, just unfold in a shaded area, and the mat is ready to go.

Sunny Daze Cooling Bandana

Look cool and stay cool this summer season with the Cooling Bandana. Cool and stay cool for up to 6 hours, simply wet, wrap and go to the best shady spot. A lightweight, ice-cooling belt that gives your dog a long-lasting sense of comfort on hot days or on the go and helps protect against UV and heat-related illness.

Sunny Daze Spray Mat

Embrace all that summer has to offer with the bold and healthy Sunny Daze from homebrew. Whether you’re adding a splash of color to your pet’s play or their everyday style, from treats to toys there’s something for every pet, whatever the weather.

A cool shower on a hot summer day, the Sunny Daze Round Sprinkle Mat is here to keep the temperatures at bay. Easy to connect to most garden hoses, this mat creates a nice spray of cool water for your dog to play or sleep in as temperatures rise. Very easy to fold up and store away, this mat is the perfect addition to the British Summertime.

IGSM Plastic Dog Paddling Pool

This pool is sturdy enough to be used as a dog paddling pool but can also be used as a normal paddling pool or sand pit. It is 86cm wide and just 18cm high, making it easy for dogs to get in and out. The strong plastic won’t break easily and its light weight makes it easy to move around when empty.

What is our winner?

It’s easy, he likes a cooling towel, like us – because we can handle it easily and Edgar can have the right pants, but in a few seconds his breathing is good and he’s spinning like a little show pony ready to be dressed. It took years to find the perfect cooling product because he was special (what dog isn’t?).

The towel, however, was the cheapest in the range and we recommend it to everyone. A cool dog game changer for the summer. So in fact The Hitchhiker’s Guide style, you always know where your towel is. This is exactly what Edgar swears by … and thanks to Pets at Home for their new and amazing range that has something for every shape and size (and gentleness) of dog.