The Hot Dog Index: Find out how at risk your dog is during hot weather
With the UK experiencing record-breaking temperatures and heatwaves becoming more common, dog owners are being urged not to underestimate the dangers hot weather can pose to their pets.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness because they cannot regulate their body temperature as efficiently as humans. Even on days that don't feel especially hot, factors such as humidity, wind speed and direct sunlight can all increase the risk of overheating. In severe cases, heatstroke among pets can develop in minutes and become life-threatening without urgent treatment.
To help owners better understand the risks in their local area, we’ve created the Hot Dog Index - an interactive tool that has analysed three years of weather data across the UK.
Select your UK county below to see how summer weather conditions could affect your dog.
Which countries pose the greatest risk to dogs?
Our analysis found that South East England dominates the highest-risk rankings, accounting for seven of the UK's 10 most heat-vulnerable counties for dogs.
Northamptonshire, however, emerged as the unexpected hotspot. Driven partly by the extreme temperatures recorded during the summer of 2022, when areas of the county experienced temperatures exceeding 40°C.
Geography also appears to play an important role. Six of the 10 highest-risk counties are landlocked, meaning they miss out on the cooling influence of coastal breezes that can help reduce temperatures during periods of extreme heat.
The top 10 most at-risk counties
How to protect your dog in hot weather
We teamed up with Zoe Blake, a veterinary nurse with over 30 years of industry experience, to share tips to help owners manage the extreme summer heat.
“Working as a veterinary nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous heatstroke can be for dogs during warmer weather. Many cases are entirely preventable with early awareness and simple precautions, which is why recognising the signs and acting quickly is so important.”
Zoe Blake shares the five warning signs of heatstroke every dog owner should know
Excessive panting and restlessness - “The main symptom initially is excessive panting, and dogs will become agitated and restless. Dogs rely mainly on panting to regulate their body temperature, meaning they can overheat far more quickly than many people realise.”
Heavy drooling or difficulty breathing - “As heatstroke develops, dogs may begin drooling far more than normal or appear to struggle with breathing. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs and overweight pets can be particularly vulnerable.”
Wobbliness, weakness or confusion - “As heatstroke hits, pets may also begin to appear unsteady on their legs and become confused.”
Changes in tongue or gum colour - “One of the most serious warning signs is a noticeable change in the colour of your dog’s tongue or gums. Their tongue and gums may turn blue/purple or bright red, which can indicate poor oxygenation and circulatory compromise.”
Vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures or collapse - “In severe cases, heatstroke can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, collapse or even seizures. It will affect every system in the dog’s nervous system, so they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible for appropriate care.”
What should you do if you think your dog has heatstroke?
Heatstroke is always a medical emergency. If you suspect your dog is overheating:
Move them to a cool, shaded area immediately
Pour cool (not ice-cold) water over their body
Offer small amounts of drinking water if they are able to drink
Contact your nearest vet immediately
Remember: cool first, transport second
The earlier treatment begins, the better the chances of a full recovery.
Sources:
Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS)
Methodology:
MoneySuperMarket’s scoring system evaluated how safe it is to walk dogs during the summer months (June, July, and August) across different UK counties, using specific criteria. It focused on the latest weather data from the official UK Met Office weather records collected from weather stations across the country. For each day, we gathered:
Temperature readings (including daily highs and averages)
Wind speed
Humidity levels
Combining the results, we calculated the risk score for every summer day for 3 years across 98 counties. We then averaged all the scores for each county to give one overall "summer risk score" per county.
Counties are defined using a combination of historic and ceremonial boundaries to allow for consistent long-term weather comparisons.
