Australian summers are genuinely dangerous for pets, and heatstroke can turn fatal within minutes. The essentials are simple: constant shade and water, walks only in the cool of the day, frozen enrichment to help them chill out, and never, ever leaving a pet in a parked car. Get these right and your dog or cat sails through even a run of 40-degree days.
- Heatstroke is a medical emergency: know the signs and act within minutes.
- Do the 7-second pavement test before every summer walk; if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for paws.
- Flat-faced breeds, thick or dark coats, seniors and overweight pets overheat fastest.
- Frozen lick mats and treats are a safe, effective way to cool a pet down and keep them busy.
- Never leave a pet in a parked car, even for a couple of minutes with the windows cracked.
How do I know if my pet is overheating?
Catch it early and act fast. The warning signs of heat stress include heavy, frantic panting, thick drooling, bright red or dark gums, a racing heart, wobbliness or weakness, vomiting, and in severe cases collapse. If you see the serious signs, move your pet to shade, offer small sips of cool water, wet their coat with cool (not icy) water, and call your vet immediately. Heatstroke can escalate in minutes, so when in doubt, treat it as an emergency.
When is it too hot to walk my dog?
Use the 7-second pavement test: press the back of your hand to the footpath for seven seconds. If you can't hold it there comfortably, it's too hot for your dog's paws and far too hot for a walk. On summer days, shift walks to early morning or after sunset, keep them shorter, and carry water. Some dogs are at much higher risk and should barely go out in the heat at all: flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs, heavy or dark-coated dogs, seniors, and overweight pets all struggle to cool themselves.
How do I keep my pet cool at home?
Cool, shaded and hydrated is the goal. Make sure there's deep shade available all day as the sun moves, keep air flowing with a fan or breeze, and put out several bowls of fresh water so there's always one nearby. Hard tiled floors give pets a cool spot to stretch out on, and a damp towel to lie on can help. On the hottest days, indoors with a fan or air-con beats the backyard every time.
What frozen treats and enrichment beat the heat?
Frozen enrichment is the summer secret weapon: it cools your pet from the inside and gives them a long, calming job on a day when they can't burn energy outside. Spread wet food, natural yoghurt or bone broth across a Lickimat or KONG Licks Mat and freeze it for a couple of hours. The result is a licking session that can keep a dog or cat happily occupied, and cooler, for ages. Freezing treats and stuffable toys works the same way.
How do I keep pets safe in the car and on trips?
The single most important rule: never leave a pet alone in a parked car, even briefly. On a warm day the inside of a car can climb past 50°C in minutes, and cracking the windows barely helps. If you're travelling with your dog, bring plenty of water, keep the car cool and shaded, take regular breaks, and protect the back seat with a car hammock so they can settle comfortably out of direct sun. Browse more travel and adventure gear for hot-weather outings.
Which pets are most at risk in the heat?
Some pets simply can't shed heat as well as others. The highest-risk groups are flat-faced breeds (whose short airways make panting less effective), dogs with thick or dark coats, very young and very old pets, overweight animals, and any pet with a heart or breathing condition. If yours falls into one of these groups, be extra cautious: keep them indoors during the hottest hours and watch closely for early signs of distress.
Frequently asked questions
Should I shave my dog for summer?
Usually no. A dog's coat also insulates against heat and protects skin from sunburn, so shaving a double-coated breed can do more harm than good. Regular brushing to remove loose undercoat is far better. Ask your groomer or vet before clipping any breed.
How much water does my pet need in summer?
More than in winter, and always available. Put out multiple bowls, top them up often, and add a splash extra on hot days. For outings, carry a portable bottle or bowl so your pet can drink whenever they need to.
Are cooling mats and frozen lick mats worth it?
Frozen lick mats are excellent: they cool from the inside and keep pets calmly occupied. A frozen lick mat or stuffed toy is one of the cheapest, most effective hot-day tools you can have, and most pets love them.
What do I do if I think my dog has heatstroke?
Act immediately. Move them to shade or air-conditioning, wet their coat with cool water, offer small sips to drink, and get to a vet straight away: even if they seem to recover. Heatstroke can cause internal damage that isn't visible, so a vet check is essential.
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