Tips to Cool Your Dog on a Hot Summer Day

Summer is here, which means it’s time for the sun to come out and play. And while you’re busy having fun, your dog is probably trying to figure out how they can stay cool throughout this hot season. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of ways that your pup can beat the heat! Read on to learn how to keep dogs cool in summer.

Keep a doggy water bottle handy

You wouldn’t brave thirsty conditions without a water bottle, right? So why should your furry pal have to, too? Stylish Hound has you covered with Travel Water Bottles—available in four different hues. BPA-free and totally spillproof, these 300-milliliter bottles are essentially portable doggy bowls. Slide them out when your pup is parched, and lock them up once Pup is sated! 

These are one tier up from hooman drink bottles. Why? Well, for starters, they allow you to keep your receptacles separate, sparing them from any cross-contamination. If you’re a dog, who laps their water rather than slurping it, these bottles are also a heck of a lot easier to drink from.

Keep the drinks a-flowing

Is there anything worse than drinking lukewarm water on a hot day? … Well, okay; there are probably worse things—like the smell of wet dog after a day at the beach. But lukewarm water is so unsatisfying (and potentially hazardous. Bacteria love to make themselves at home at any comfortable room temperature!). And, do you know what? Your dog probably agrees with us. 

Throughout the day, ensure to keep emptying and refilling your dog’s water bowl. This will keep it cool and fresh. And, hey—if you’re really feeling fancy, you could even sneak in little ice cubes. Who doesn’t like an ice-cold drink on a hot day?!

Cool Doggy down with a doggy-safe icy pole, whether it’s store-bought or homemade. To be extra safe, perhaps you could squeeze your own juice at home, and pour it into a DIY icy pole mould. Should your juice-squeezing endeavours be less than fruitful, you could always try the next-best thing: Nudie juice. This brand uses zero flavours or other food additives. Just ensure to check which fruits and vegetables are safe for canine consumption!


We don’t sell icy pole moulds at Stylish Hound, but we do have our Hercules enrichment toy. Whether you use it as exercise enrichment, a chew toy, or as a fill-in food bowl—this toy is a smart trefoil of doggy amusement. And when you stuff one with your fur kid’s favourite treat, the fun really begins—especially for food-motivated fur kids. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Hercules stuffing recipes. For cooling down your doggo, we recommend making frozen versions of the Strawberry & Cream, Froyo, or Banana Split recipes. Pop these fruity favourites in the freezer, and—voilà—you have dog-friendly icy poles! If your dog does not have a sweet tooth, you could try this with the savoury recipes too. This is an odd quirk, but you’ve got to remember we’re catering to the same species of animal that drinks from mud puddles.

Some final thoughts..

Summertime is a great opportunity to take your dog to the beach, or to do all sorts of fun outdoor activities! Despite your best efforts, though, summer is sometimes too hot to handle, and the best way to cool down a dog is to stay inside with the air con on. Put your feet up and watch Homeward Bound (or another super cool doggy movie) with your best pal. If you’re finding it too hot, chances are your dog will be too. Let that be a guide.

 Throughout summer, you should keep your eyes peeled for signs of heatstroke or overheating. Should your dog exhibit any of these signs, remember to cool them down gradually rather than all at once. If the symptoms persist, take the dog to the vet. Our final piece of advice? Never leave a dog in a parked car on a hot day—no matter how quickly you intend to return. 

But it’s not all doom and gloom! Summertime often means attending to the water bowl a little more and making efforts to regulate Doggy’s body temperature. With these handy tips and tricks, though, you’ll be set to have a super safe and enjoyable summer—with your furry best pal by your side.