Australian summers can be tough on our dogs.
The tricky part is that while we can take off a layer, grab a cold drink or complain that it's ridiculously hot, our dogs rely on us to notice when they're starting to struggle.
And sometimes the signs aren't as obvious as you'd think.
After travelling Australia with my own dogs, often camping without power or air conditioning, keeping them comfortable in the heat became something I thought about constantly.
So here are five signs I always pay attention to when the temperature starts climbing.
1. They're panting more than usual
Panting is completely normal for dogs.
It's one of the main ways they regulate their body temperature, so seeing your dog pant after exercise or on a warm day doesn't automatically mean something is wrong.
What matters is how much they're panting and whether it seems appropriate for what they've been doing.
If your dog is panting much harder than you'd expect, can't seem to settle, or continues panting heavily after they've stopped exercising, it's time to pay attention.
Move them somewhere cooler, offer fresh water and give them a chance to rest.
2. They're constantly looking for somewhere cool
Sometimes our dogs tell us exactly what they need.
They might suddenly seek out the tiled bathroom floor.
Lie directly under the fan.
Move into the shade.
Dig into cooler dirt.
Head for water.
Or simply refuse to leave the coolest spot in the house.
If your dog is repeatedly trying to find cooler places, don't ignore it.
They're probably doing exactly what their instincts are telling them to do.
Help them out by providing shade, airflow, fresh drinking water and somewhere comfortable to cool down.
3. They're slowing down or refusing to continue
This is an important one.
If your normally enthusiastic walking buddy starts lagging behind, stopping frequently, lying down or refusing to continue, don't assume they're being stubborn.
Heat can take a lot out of a dog.
When this happens, the walk doesn't matter anymore.
Find shade, stop exercising and give them an opportunity to cool down.
There will always be another walk.
4. Their behaviour suddenly changes
You know your dog better than anyone.
That's why changes in their normal behaviour can sometimes be one of the best warning signs.
A dog struggling with heat may seem unusually restless, uncomfortable, lethargic or simply not themselves.
You might notice them constantly changing position because they can't get comfortable.
Or the dog who normally follows you everywhere suddenly doesn't want to move.
Pay attention to those little changes.
They often tell us more than we realise.
5. Their panting becomes extreme or they show more serious symptoms
This is where we move beyond simply being “a bit hot”.
Signs such as very heavy or distressed panting, excessive drooling, weakness, confusion, vomiting, collapse or problems with coordination can indicate a potentially serious heat-related illness.
Don't wait for your dog to cool down on their own if they appear seriously unwell.
Move them out of the heat and contact a veterinarian urgently for advice.
Heatstroke can be a medical emergency.
Some dogs need extra care in the heat
Every dog is different.
Age, fitness, body condition, coat, activity level and health can all affect how well a dog handles warm weather.
Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs deserve particular attention because their shorter airways can make cooling themselves through panting less effective.
Older dogs may also struggle more.
And if you've got a dog who thinks every 35°C day is still the perfect opportunity to chase a ball for three hours...
Sometimes we have to make the sensible decision for them.
What can you do to help keep your dog cool?
The best approach is usually a combination of simple things.
Walk during cooler parts of the day.
Always provide access to fresh drinking water.
Look for shade.
Reduce strenuous exercise when it's hot.
Check the ground before walking.
Take regular breaks.
And don't wait until your dog is already struggling before thinking about cooling them down.
When we're camping or travelling, I'm especially conscious of this because you can't always rely on air conditioning being available.
That's actually part of the reason the HowlTrek Coolaroo Cooling Vest came about.
Why I wanted a cooling vest for my own dogs
Travelling Australia with dogs makes you very aware of heat.
We spent plenty of time free camping without power or air conditioning, and I needed something practical that could help my dogs stay comfortable without electricity, batteries or having to keep ice frozen.
That's where evaporative cooling made sense to me.
You simply wet the vest, wring out the excess water and put it on your dog.
As the water evaporates, it helps draw heat away from the body.
And when it starts drying out, you can wet it again.
For us, that practicality mattered.
If you've got water from a bottle, tap or creek, you've got a way to reactivate it.
But a cooling vest isn't permission to exercise a dog in dangerous heat.
It's another tool we can use alongside shade, water, sensible exercise and paying attention to what our dogs are telling us.
Know your own dog
Probably the most important thing I've learned is this:
Know what's normal for your dog.
Some dogs pant more than others.
Some naturally look for cool floors.
Some will happily sleep through the hottest part of the day.
Others would chase a ball until they fell over if we let them.
The better you know their normal behaviour, the easier it becomes to notice when something isn't right.
Our dogs would follow us just about anywhere.
It's up to us to know when it's time to stop, find some shade and cool things down.
Help them keep their cool
The HowlTrek Coolaroo Cooling Vest uses water-powered evaporative cooling to help keep dogs more comfortable during warm-weather adventures.
No batteries. No ice.
Just soak, wring and wear.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my dog is too hot?
Look for changes from your dog's normal behaviour, including heavier-than-usual panting, constantly seeking cool areas, slowing down, restlessness or lethargy. More severe symptoms such as weakness, confusion, vomiting or collapse require urgent veterinary attention.
Do dogs sweat like humans?
Not in the same way we do. Dogs primarily regulate their body temperature through panting, although they also have sweat glands in areas including their paw pads.
Should I walk my dog when it's hot?
Consider the overall conditions rather than air temperature alone. Exercise during cooler parts of the day, check the ground temperature, provide water and shade and reduce the intensity or duration of exercise when necessary.
Which dogs are more vulnerable to hot weather?
Flat-faced breeds, older dogs, very young dogs, overweight dogs and dogs with certain health conditions can be at greater risk of heat-related illness. Individual tolerance varies, so learn what's normal for your dog.
Do cooling vests work for dogs?
Evaporative cooling vests work by holding water that gradually evaporates. Evaporation can help remove heat, making them particularly useful in suitable warm, relatively dry conditions. They should be used as part of a broader approach to heat management rather than as a replacement for shade, water and sensible exercise.
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