how to help dog sleep in hot weather

It’s a sticky July night in your Houston apartment, and your golden retriever, Max, is pacing instead of napping. His tongue lolls, paws pattering across the carpet as he circles his bed, too hot to settle. You’ve turned on the fan, but he still huffs, tail thumping weakly. Hot weather doesn’t just make you restless—dogs struggle to sleep when temperatures spike, and their bodies aren’t built to cool down like ours. Let’s break down how to help them drift off, even when the thermometer hits 90°F.

Dogs regulate heat mostly through panting and paw pads—they can’t sweat like humans, so excess heat gets trapped, making sleep feel impossible. Breeds with thick double coats (like huskies) or flat faces (pugs, bulldogs) suffer most: their fur insulates heat, and short snouts make panting less effective. A vet in Dallas calls it “thermal discomfort”—when their body temp creeps above 101°F, their brains shift into “survive, not sleep” mode. My neighbor’s pug, Lola, used to lie awake all night in summer, snorting; once they fixed her cooling setup, she snores through the night now.

Start with their sleeping spot: move their bed away from windows (direct sun turns it into a hot pad) and onto tile or hardwood floors, which stay cooler than carpet. Lay a cooling mat (filled with gel that absorbs heat) or a damp towel (wring it out so it’s not dripping) on their bed—Max’s tail wags when he steps on his, like he knows it’s a treat. A fan aimed at their bed circulates air, and if you have AC, keep it around 75°F—cool enough for them, not frigid. Grooming helps too: brush thick coats daily to remove loose fur (trapped hair holds heat), and a slight trim (no buzz cuts—fur protects skin from sunburn) can ease discomfort for double-coated breeds.

Hydration matters, but don’t overdo it right before bed—too much water means midnight potty breaks. Offer fresh water in a ceramic bowl (stays cooler than plastic) throughout the day, and freeze a Kong with broth for a “cooling snack” an hour before bed. In apartments, keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day (3–6 p.m.) to block hot air, and use blackout curtains to keep rooms darker and cooler. When walking, stick to early mornings or evenings (pavement burns paws at noon!), and always carry poop bags (Houston fines $150+ for forgetting).

Remember: Never scold a restless dog—they’re not being “naughty,” just uncomfortable. Praise them when they settle on their cooling mat (“good boy, Max!”) to reinforce that it’s a safe, cozy spot. And confirm their rabies vaccine is current—even heat-weary dogs need legal protection. By August, you’ll find Max curled up on his cooling mat, snoring softly, as the fan hums. Hot nights don’t have to mean sleepless nights—with a few tweaks, your dog will drift off, cool and content.