Dog cooling products are a must-have for any paw-rent to give to their pooch. As much as our hounds love to stretch out in the sunshine, too much sun exposure can be dangerous for them as they can easily overheat. Thankfully, there are loads of brilliant products out there to help keep your dog cool, so everyone can make the most out of the nice weather while it's here.
Naturally, when the sun is shining, everyone gravitates to spending as much time outside to make the most of the warm weather, our dogs included! However, long periods of time being exposed to temperatures in the 20s and 30s, or even 40s as we've previously experienced in the UK, is simply too much for your pooch. A quick dip in a dog paddling pool or a hat to keep the sun out of their face can make such a difference for your hound if they're struggling in the heat. Even if it doesn't feel that warm for you, you've got to remember your pooch is effectively wearing a fur jacket on top of their skin so they'll definitely be feeling hotter than you.
Best dog cooling products at a glance:
• Top pick - best dog paddling pool: Cool Club Dog Paddling Pool Blue – Buy now on Pets At Home
• Best dog cooling toy: Pets at Home Ice Pineapple Cooler Dog Toy – Buy now on Pets At Home
• Best dog cooling mat: Pecute Dog Cooling Mat – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best dog sun hat: Pawaboo Dog Baseball Cap – Buy now on Amazon UK
All dogs can struggle in the heat, but those that are larger or overweight, breeds with flat faces and pooches with lots of fluff are particularly prone to experiencing heat stroke. That's why making sure there are plenty of dog cooling products available to bring their core temperature down is important. You can get items for them to wear, such as dog cooling vests and bandanas, cooling beds and mats to snooze on, and cooling toys to play with to help them chill out.
Whether you opt for cooling dog beds, clothing or toys, clothing, beds, there are lots of different ways to cool down your hound. We've rounded up some of the best dog cooling products out there to help your pooch stay cool and comfortable in warm weather.
Best dog cooling products
Top pick - best dog paddling pool
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If your dog just loves an opportunity to showcase their doggy paddle technique, this is the cooling product for them. It's portable and easy to use as it pops up in seconds with no inflation needed and folds flat again when not in use for easy storage. This Cool Club Dog Paddling Pool Blue certainly got our testers' tails wagging on a warm day.
Our review: "With three doggies to worry about cooling down, I went straight to Pets At Home to buy this paddling pool when the recent heatwave was announced. My Labrador Retriever cross, Barney, absolutely loves water so I knew he'd be all over it. However, Gina, my Yorkshire Terrier Jack Russell cross, isn't so keen and my Cockapoo pup, Bella, hasn't really been swimming before so I wasn't sure how they'd react to it. To my surprise, the paddling pool was a hit with all three and they've been constantly dipping in and out of it when they need to cool off. I love it because it's easy to put up so it can be filled whenever the hot weather comes about and can also be neatly folded away, ready for another day, when the sun goes down."
Pros
- No hassle installation
- The perfect product for dogs who love water
Cons
- The XL size we bought felt a little on the smaller side for our Labrador Retriever cross, so that's something to bear in mind if you have large dogs
Best dog cooling toy
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Another range that has been tried and tested by us (well, our doggos) is the Pets at Home Ice Cooler Dog Toys. You fill them with water and pop them in the freezer so that when you get them out for your hound to play with, it will provide a cool and refreshing sensation in their mouth. Our pooches tried the watermelon and lolly-shaped one, but we think this funky pineapple one would be a massive hit, too.
Our review: "I bought my dogs the watermelon and lolly-shaped toys from this range and they just couldn't get enough. They're perfect for dogs who love to chew as the rubber is soft on their teeth but it also feels a bit hard at the same time because of the ice inside. I felt they were actually quite hydrating because of the condensation produced on the outside as the ice started to melt. The dogs were happy they had new toys to play with and I was happy they'd got something to cool them down."
Pros
- Refreshing
- Fun texture
Cons
- Once the ice has melted, these toys become soft enough to chew through so this might not be a great choice if your dog is prone to destroying their toys
Best dog cooling mat
Highly rated on Amazon with nearly 14,000 reviews, this Pecute Dog Cooling Mat comes in a wide range of sizes so whether your pup is big or small, you're bound to find the right fit for them. It folds easily and can be stored tidily so it's great for when you're on the go with your mutt. It's made from a thick, scratch-resistant and waterproof material and is filled with a non-toxic gel that activates when it detects your pooch's body heat.
Customer review: "Tbh I have just received the item but I’m already impressed. Seems highly durable, nice non-slip material. You can immediately feel the cooling sensation of the gelly. My samoyed doesn’t really like to sleep anywhere but the floor but she hasn’t left the mat since she got it a couple hours ago. Let’s hope she won’t chew on it 😅
I mainly chose this mat because of the grey colour, finally someone thought of offering a different colour than blue which really doesn’t go well with my interior (surely I’m not the only one). Highly recommended!"
Pros
- Easy to store and clean
- Waterproof, wear-resistant and scratch-resistant
Cons
- Although very hard-wearing, it's not completely indestructible
Best dog sun hat
Your pooch's eyes, face and nose will be sheltered from the sun while they wear this Pawaboo Dog Baseball Cap, and they'll look absolutely adorable at the same time. Not just available in this pretty floral print, there's a whole host of colours for you to choose from including red, yellow, purple, green, grey and black, although you may want to avoid the darker colours as they can draw in heat and make your pooch feel hotter.
Customer review: "Perfect for my senior chihuahua! Small fits very small breeds so would recommend others to buy a size up. BUT I love it! Good quality and saves my boys head from the sun (especially as he is white! And prone to burning!) And means he can enjoy the spring sunshine without having to squint! Very happy!"
Pros
- Range of colours and sizes
- Strap is adjustable so you can alter the fit to suit your dog
Cons
- The hats come up small according to some reviews so they may not be suitable for larger breeds
Best dog cooling vest
The POPETPOP Dog Cooling Vest uses three layers of cooling fabric to keep your pup's temperature down. Each layer utilises evaporation to take the hotness away from their body, plus the surface material protects against UV rays and reflects excessive heat away. It's designed with an adjustable buckle and is easy to put on and take off so you can make sure your dog feels cool but comfortable at all times.
Customer review: "Crazy hot day. PoppyDog was panting but as soon as I got the coat wet and on her she just went to sleep and it seems to be working. She’s comfortable and happy and keeping cool. Poppy is an 8kg Border Terrier and I bough Medium and there’s plenty of room in it for her. It fits her back length and I shortened the straps to their tightest and she’s perfectly happy in it."
Pros
- Cool but comfortable fit
- Has reflective strips which will be great if you're planning on using it on long dog walks when its not so hot
Cons
- Only three sizes
Best dog cooling bandana
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If your pooch won't like wearing something completely around them, consider this Sunny Daze Cooling Dog Bandana instead. You simply soak the bandana in cold water and wring it out before securing it loosely around your dog's neck with the Velcro fastening so they can stay cool for up to six hours. It's lightweight and helps protect against UV rays and heat-related illnesses.
Customer review: "Bought these for my 2 dogs during the heatwave. Easy to fit and they seemed to like wearing them. They stay cool for hours. I have a yorkie/Jack Russell cross and a small cockapoo. Bought the small/medium for both and they fit perfectly. Would recommend."
Pros
- Velcro fastening ensures a comfortable fit
- Long-lasting cooling
Cons
- Price varies on size you choose
Best dog sun shade
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Not only will this Cool Club Raised Air Dog Bed provide your dog with some much-needed shade in warm weather, but will also have them raised off the floor so they won't be able to feel the heat from patios, tiles or other flooring that may attract the sun as they relax. The detachable canopy provides up to UV 50 protection and the mesh panel bed allows for maximum air flow and ventilation.
Customer review: "Our Husky loves this, he suffers so much in the heat and has really appreciated this since he's had it He even likes to sit out on it at night when the sun has gone but it's still too warm inside."
Pros
- Non-slip grip feet
- Bed collapses down into a bag for easy travel and storage
Cons
- Has a maximum weight of 31kg so may not be suitable if your pooch weighs over this
Dog cooling products FAQs
What are the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in dogs?
It's important that you recognise the signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in dogs as it can be very dangerous, and even fatal in some cases. If your dog is really struggling in the heat, here are some of the symptoms they may experience:
• Excessive drooling and panting/dry mouth and gums
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Lethargy or unsteadiness
• Bloodshot or sunken eyes
• Collapsing
If you suspect your pooch is suffering from heatstroke, you should take them to your vet for immediate treatment.
Tips for keeping your dog cool in hot weather:
With a helping hand from Pets At Home, we've got some top tips on how to cool down a dog and what you can do to protect them during spells of hot weather.
Look after their paws
“It’s always best for your dog to avoid walking on hot surfaces. They can easily burn your dog’s paws, causing blistering and pain. As their paws are the first thing to feel the heat, avoid hot surfaces to keep them clear of discomfort or more serious pain.”
Never leave them alone in a hot car
“This is a no-no at any time of the year, but especially so in the summer when the heat of the sun intensifies as it shines through your car windows. On a day where it’s 22 degrees Celcius outside – not at all rare in the UK – the interior of a car can reach as high as 47 in just an hour. Confined to an increasingly hot space like this, dogs will quickly overheat, even within a few minutes.”
Provide plenty of water
“Just like us, dogs are likely to drink more when it’s hot as a way of cooling themselves down. You should therefore make sure your dog always has a supply of fresh drinking water whenever they’re at home.”
Walk them when it’s cooler outside
“Your dog will still need to be exercised when the weather’s warm, although this can be problematic if your dog doesn’t always know when they’ve overexerted themselves. To make sure you don’t expose your dog to the sun too much or put them at risk of overheating, try walking them in the cooler parts of the day – the mornings and evenings. If this isn’t an option, you may need to shorten their walks and restrict the time they spend running around outdoors.”
Make refreshing treats
“Most dogs love munching on ice cubes, and you’ll find they’re great for keeping your dog refreshed and hydrated. Keep a tray in your freezer to pop in their water bowl or try freezing chicken or beef stock for a tastier treat.”
Provide a cooling mat
“Your pooch might find it trickier to sleep during the summer when the nights are warmer. Investing in a pet cooling mat is the perfect solution, as it’ll keep their bed at a comfortable and refreshing temperature when they’re trying to rest.”
Regular grooming
“Long-haired dogs can get very hot walking around in the sun because of their thick, fluffy fur. To make sure your dog stays as cool as possible, you should brush them regularly to get rid of excess shed hair.”
Provide shade outdoors
“Naturally, your dog will need to go outside at some point in the day, if only to do their business. Even if it’s really warm, five to ten-minute intervals outside shouldn’t be a problem. But to allow your dog to get some more fresh air than this, provide them with a shaded area they can sit for a while, away from the heat of the sun.”
Apply sun cream
“Just like humans, dogs can also be harmed by the sun’s rays, especially on their noses and if they have pale-coloured fur. If your pet is spending a lot of time outdoors in the summer, either on walks, day trips or in your garden, it’s a good idea to buy some dog-friendly sun cream to help protect their skin.”
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.
