Summer Heat Safety for Dogs in Sydney

Why Sydney summers are tricky for dogs

Sydney's average summer top is a mild-sounding 25–26°C at Observatory Hill, but hot days go well past that. Last summer the city hit 42.2°C on 10 January 2026, and hot spells often arrive early, in October and November, before dogs have adjusted to the heat.

Humidity is the other half of the story. Dogs cool themselves mostly by panting, and research shows panting becomes less effective once relative humidity climbs above about 35%. Coastal Sydney usually sits well above that in summer (around 60–70% in January), so even a cool, muggy morning can be harder on a dog than the thermometer suggests.

Walks are the biggest trigger. In a large UK study of vet records, three in four heat-related illness cases were brought on by exercise, and most of those were ordinary walks. Hot cars caused far fewer cases.

Signs of heat stress and heatstroke

RSPCA NSW splits the signs into early and advanced. Stop, cool down and get help at the early stage.

Early signs	Advanced signs (emergency)
Constant, frantic panting Fast heart rate Heavy drooling Weakness or wobbliness Confusion Bright red, or pale/greyish, gums or tongue	Vomiting or diarrhoea Tremors or seizures Collapse Loss of consciousness

On a walk, also watch for a dog that suddenly lies down when it would normally keep going. The latest vet first-aid guidelines list this as an early warning sign.

First aid: cool first, then go to the vet

Heatstroke can cause organ failure quickly, so every minute counts. Current veterinary guidance (the 2026 RECOVER first-aid guidelines, RSPCA NSW and RSPCA Australia) agrees on the basics:

Move your dog somewhere cool: shade, air-conditioning or a breeze.
Cool them straight away with plenty of cool running water from a tap or hose. Soak right through the coat to the skin, focusing on the belly and groin. Keep going.
Add airflow, such as a fan or the car's air-conditioning.
Offer small sips of water, but don't force your dog to drink.
Call your vet and go, even if your dog seems to recover. Heatstroke can cause damage you can't see.

Advice that has changed

Don't drape wet towels over your dog. They can trap heat. A wet towel to lie on is fine.
Don't wait for "lukewarm" water. Cool tap or hose water works best. Any water cooler than your dog is better than none.
Skip ice and ice-cold water. Australian vet guidance prefers cool water.
Don't only wet the paws. Soak the body.

Which dogs are most at risk

Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers. UK vet data found French bulldogs about 6 times, bulldogs about 14 times and pugs about 3 times as likely to get heatstroke as Labradors.
Overweight dogs, which heat up faster.
Older dogs, especially those with heart or breathing problems.
Puppies and young dogs, which regulate their temperature less well and are prone to overdoing it.
Thick or long coats, and some vets also flag darker coats.
Dogs on certain medications, and dogs not yet used to the heat early in the season.

Any dog can get heatstroke, though. The RSPCA notes it can happen even on cooler days when other risk factors line up.

Hot pavement, sand and turf

The 5-second test: put the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog (RSPCA Australia).

Asphalt can reach about 52°C on a 25°C day, according to Washington State University's vet college.
Western Sydney University measured synthetic turf at 84.5°C and dark rubber soft-fall at 81°C at Sydney playgrounds, while natural grass stayed close to the air temperature.
Tree shade cut road surface temperatures by around 20°C in a Western Sydney trial.

So on hot days, pick grass and shade over paths, turf and sand. Most Eastern Suburbs beaches don't allow dogs anyway. See our off-leash parks guide for where dogs can go.

When to walk on hot days

There is no official temperature cut-off for walking dogs from the RSPCA, the Australian Veterinary Association, the NSW Government or the Bureau of Meteorology. The charts you may see online are rules of thumb, not evidence-based limits. Instead:

Walk early in the morning or later in the evening. On extremely hot days, vets suggest avoiding the early evening too, while the ground is still hot.
Treat a Bureau of Meteorology heatwave warning as a cue to shorten or skip the walk. In the UK, heatstroke cases were five times higher per day during heat-health alerts.
Carry water and offer it often, take shade breaks and slow the pace.
Be extra careful with at-risk dogs, in humid weather and during the first hot spells of the season.

Never leave a dog in a parked car

Cars heat up fast, even on mild days, and leaving a window open makes little difference. The NSW Government's fact sheet shows a car reaching about 40°C inside after 30 minutes on a 21°C day. A Stanford study found car interiors rose about 22°C within an hour on days of 22–36°C, with most of that rise in the first 30 minutes.

In NSW, leaving a dog to overheat can be prosecuted as animal cruelty, with fines of up to $44,000. A proposed law would add a specific offence for leaving a dog in a car without cooling for more than 10 minutes on days over 28°C. As of October 2026 it hasn't passed Parliament. If you see a dog in distress in a car, call RSPCA NSW on 1300 278 3589 or the police.

How we keep our pack cool

Our hot-day routine at My Dog Walker

Fresh water for every pup on every walk. We carry it and offer it often.
Shade and grass over hot paths, with a gentler pace on warm days.
Eyes on every dog. With no more than 4 dogs per walker, we can spot early signs of heat stress.
Extreme heat means no walk. We'll call it off and tell you as early as we can, and you're never charged for a walk we cancel.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature is too hot to walk my dog in Sydney?

There's no official cut-off from the RSPCA, the Australian Veterinary Association or the NSW Government. Walk early or late, avoid the hottest part of the day, factor in humidity and your dog's risk, and use the 5-second hand test on the pavement. On heatwave days, skip the walk.

How do I know if my dog has heatstroke?

Early signs include constant, frantic panting, heavy drooling, a fast heart rate, weakness or wobbliness, confusion and bright red or pale gums. Vomiting, tremors, seizures or collapse mean an emergency.

Should I use ice or cold water to cool my dog down?

Use plenty of cool running tap or hose water, soaking through to the skin, especially on the belly and groin, and add airflow. Skip ice and don't drape wet towels over your dog. Then go straight to a vet.

Are French bulldogs and pugs more at risk in the heat?

Yes. Flat-faced breeds struggle to cool down by panting. UK vet data found French bulldogs about 6 times, and pugs about 3 times, as likely to get heatstroke as Labradors.

Can I take my dog to the beach in summer?

Most Eastern Suburbs beaches don't allow dogs at all, including Bondi, Bronte, Tamarama, Coogee and Clovelly. Hot sand can also burn paws. Shady grass in an off-leash park is a better choice.

What does My Dog Walker do on very hot days?

We carry fresh water for every pup, stick to shade and grass, keep a close eye on every dog and call off walks in extreme heat. We tell you as early as we can, and you're never charged for a walk we cancel.

Sources

This guide is general information, not veterinary or legal advice. Rules can change, so check signage and your council's website, and speak to your vet about your own dog.

Mireya GonzalezFounder of My Dog Walker. Mireya has run small-group walks, adventure days and dog sitting for small and medium-sized dogs in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs since 2022. Meet Mireya →

Summer heat safety for dogs in Sydney