How to Keep Your Dog Cool at Night
Warm nights aren't easy on dogs, especially the ones with thick coats or dogs who already struggle when the temperature climbs during the day. Unlike us, dogs don't cool off by sweating all over - they rely mostly on panting, plus a small number of sweat glands tucked away in their paws. That's exactly why giving them a cool, comfortable spot to settle matters once the heat picks up.
The good news: a handful of small changes around the house can make bedtime a lot easier on your dog. Keeping water within reach, picking a cooler surface to sleep on - here's how to help your dog actually stay comfortable through the night.
Why does my dog get so hot?
Dogs are naturally 3-6 degrees hotter than humans, and their fur doesn't help them much when the weather turns hot. Breeds with thick or double coats can have a really hard time with sudden temperature spikes.
Dogs primarily lose heat by panting - moisture evaporates from the respiratory tract as the dog pants, cooling him off. But the problem is that panting is less effective the higher the temperature and humidity.
Warm bedroom, still air, heavy bedding, sunny corner of the room? All of that can leave your dog feeling even hotter once night falls.
Why is my dog so hot at night?
Sometimes it's just the room. Bedrooms hold onto heat long after the sun's gone down, especially if the windows stayed shut all day.
Dogs run at a temperature that is 3-6 degrees hotter than humans, so if you are feeling too hot, your dog certainly is.
And your dog can't exactly kick off their fur the way you'd toss aside a blanket. If their usual bed runs warm or doesn't breathe well, don't be surprised if they go looking for a cooler spot - tile, hardwood, wherever feels better.
Restless pacing, more panting than usual, trouble settling down - if you're seeing that, temperature is probably part of what's going on.
How do I know if my dog is too hot at night?
Short of breath after a play session or walk? Completely normal. But heavy, sustained panting, or panting that is just out of place, is worth investigating.
Watch for:
- Panting heavily or rapidly
- Excessive salivation
- Bright red or otherwise discolored gums
- Diarrhea, vomiting
- Unusual fatigue or weakness
- Confusion or lack of coordination
- Loss of consciousness or collapse
If it's more than mild discomfort it could be heatstroke and that needs a vet straight away. If you think his temperature reaches 106°F (41°C), move your dog to a cooler environment, give him water and call your vet.
1 in 7 dogs taken to the vet with heatstroke die
98% seen early with mild symptoms survive
On a less extreme level, you can tell if your dog is uncomfortable at night as they won't be able to settle down. They might bother you, which might be annoying if you're trying to sleep, but they just need some help to cool down.
How to keep your dog cool at night
There's no one fix here, just a few simple tweaks that add up. "It's important to give your dog cool air, water and a comfortable place to rest, but not to box them into one single spot that they can't escape from."
1. Lay a damp towel down for them
A slightly damp towel gives your dog one more cool surface to stretch out on. Put it somewhere easy for them to find, then just let them decide if they want it.
Worth setting up a few resting spots around the house, too - different rooms run at different temperatures, so options mean your dog can pick whatever feels best in the moment.
2. Let them sleep wherever they want
Don't force your dog back into their usual bed if some other corner of the house is cooler.
Tile and hardwood can feel a lot better than carpet or a thick dog bed on a hot night. Leave doors open where you reasonably can, so they've got room to roam between cooler spots. Using a fan? Position it so your dog can move out of the airflow anytime they want - don't trap them in front of it.
3. Place bowls of water around the house
Fresh water needs to be within easy reach, especially once it gets hot.
A bowl near their usual sleep spot means they're not trekking across the house for a drink. And if your dog tends to wander at night, having water in more than one spot just makes sense.
Swap it out regularly, too - warm or dirty water isn't going to get used much.
4. Give them a frozen treat or chew toy before bedtime
A frozen treat can take the edge off the heat before your dog winds down for the night. Freeze some dog-safe treats in water, or grab a frozen toy made for the job.
Keep portions reasonable, and steer clear of anything unsafe for dogs. The point here is something refreshing to enjoy while settling down - not a reason to get wound up right before bed.
5. Make sure your dog is groomed properly
Your dog's coat actually helps regulate temperature, so shaving it down to nothing isn't the fix people assume it is.
Regular brushing does more good - it clears out loose or dead fur and keeps mats from trapping heat close to the skin. Dogs with longer or thicker coats usually need extra brushing during shedding season.
Not sure what your dog actually needs? A groomer or vet can point you in the right direction.
6. Keep your dog calm in the evening
Tempting as it is to burn off energy with a game before bed, intense activity just raises their heart rate and leaves them warmer than they started.
On the hotter evenings, dial it back. A relaxed walk once the temperature drops, some gentle play, quiet time indoors - all of that helps your dog settle without cranking up their internal heat.
7. Give them a dedicated cooling surface
A cooling mat gives your dog somewhere specific to land when their regular bed feels too warm. Cooling mats offer a cooler surface to rest on; set them up somewhere shaded with decent airflow - not tucked inside an enclosed dog house.
For a more practical nighttime setup, the Comfy Sleepers Pet Ice Cooling Calming Waterproof Blanket & Mat uses arc-chill cooling fabric to create a refreshing surface - no electricity, water, or refrigeration needed. It's also cushioned, with a water-absorbing top layer, waterproof bottom, anti-slip base, and a foldable design.
Bottom line: give your dog the choice. They should always be able to move away from a cooling surface if they want to.
How to cool down an overheated dog quickly
If your dog looks like they're overheating, don't sit back and hope they cool down on their own.
Get them somewhere cooler, give fresh water and use cool water to help bring their temperature down while you get your vet on the phone. If you see heavy panting, vomiting, confusion, weakness, collapse or trouble breathing - don't wait.
The trick to keeping your dog comfy at night is all about the environment you provide. Fresh water, decent airflow, a cooler place to sleep, regular grooming and a place they can go to cool off if they need it.
But most importantly - observe your dog's behavior. If your dog is pacing a lot, panting a lot or seems overheated, treat it as more than a bad night. If they need help, help them.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog is overheating or showing signs of heatstroke, contact your vet immediately.