If you live in a new-build house, you’ll already know the struggle. The second the weather gets remotely warm, your home somehow turns into a giant air fryer. Great in winter. Less great when you’ve got dogs dramatically relocating from room to room searching for the coolest spot possible.
Here are some things that genuinely help us survive hot weather in a new-build house with dogs.
Keep the windows open, but shut the blinds and / or curtains
One of the biggest mistakes people make is throwing every curtain open because it “feels sunny”. If the sun is pouring directly through the windows, trust me, it will be making the house hotter. We keep windows open for airflow, but close blinds or curtains in whichever rooms are getting direct sunlight. It makes a massive difference, especially upstairs where new-builds seem to trap heat all day long.
If you can create a cross breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of the house, even better.
We also use a Dog-G8, so we can safely leave the front and back doors open without worrying about the dogs making a run for it. It’s one of the best things we’ve added to the house during summer because it helps pull air all the way through downstairs.
Fans aren’t magic, but they do help
Fans won’t completely cool a boiling hot room, but they absolutely help move air around and make things feel more comfortable, particularly overnight.
We use a freestanding Dyson fan and honestly, night time is when it makes the biggest difference. Even just keeping the air circulating can help everyone settle better when the house still feels stuffy at 11pm.
You could also add a portable air conditioning unit if you really struggle with the heat in a new-build and they do work well, but they’re fairly expensive, take up quite a bit of space and, let’s be honest, they’re not exactly the prettiest thing to have sitting in your house all summer.
Keep an eye on water bowls
Dogs seem to go through water at double speed during hot weather, so keep checking bowls throughout the day rather than assuming they’re fine. We keep multiple bowls around the house and garden because some dogs absolutely will choose dehydration over walking into another room for a drink.
Fresh, cold water is key too. In really hot weather, we’ll often top bowls up with extra cold water or drop a couple of ice cubes in, especially if it’s sat in the garden.
Hydration supplements are worth a try
I haven’t personally tried them yet, but there are hydration supplements and electrolyte powders made specifically for dogs, and honestly, I think they’re worth considering – especially if your dogs are anything like mine and act deeply inconvenienced by drinking water.
Some dogs naturally drink less than others, and extra hydration support during heatwaves could really help with overall comfort levels.
Frozen treats to keep dogs cool
Frozen treats are probably the easiest summer win and there are loads of ways you can do this.
You can freeze:
- Natural yoghurt
- Wet food in enrichment toys
- Carrots
- Ice cubes with treats inside
- Banana slices
- Watermelon chunks
Licki mats in the freezer are also brilliant because they cool dogs down while keeping them occupied for a while. Plus, it is really satisfying to watch your dog get stuck in. Or if you want something easy, just keep a few tubs of Jude’s for dogs in the freezer.
We invested in a Ninja Creami Swirl this year, so I’m currently working on a few dog friendly soft serve recipes… Watch this space!
Paddling pools are under rated
Not every dog loves water, but paddling pools are still worth having in the garden.
For dogs who love water, this is the ideal summer setup. For stubborn dogs, being gently popped in every now and again for their own good definitely won’t hurt – even if they act like it’s the biggest betrayal they’ve ever experienced.
You don’t need anything fancy, but I would recommend a pool specifically for dogs, so their claws don’t pop it.
Cooling vests and mats really do work
Cooling vests can be brilliant during very hot weather, especially if your dog insists on sitting in the sun.
You simply soak the vest in water, wring it out, and put it on your dog. The water evaporates slowly and it helps to control your dog’s temperature. A simple solution, but definitely one to take seriously. You can pick these up from Pets at Home, starting from £12.
Cooling mats are also great for naps throughout the day and often become the most fought-over spot in the house during summer. If you don’t have a cooling mat, you can pop a towel in the freezer for a little while (it’ll do the same sort of thing).
Keep the heat contained upstairs
One thing we’ve noticed with new-build houses is just how much heat gathers upstairs throughout the day. Bedrooms can quickly become unbearably warm, and once that heat spreads through the house, it’s hard to cool things back down again. Keeping upstairs doors shut during the day can genuinely help stop some of that warmth drifting into the rest of the house. Then in the evening, opening the loft hatch for a while can help release some of the trapped heat that’s built up during the day.
In summer, getting your dogs to sleep downstairs is often the better option, even if they’d normally sleep upstairs with you. Downstairs tends to stay noticeably cooler overnight in new-build houses, which usually means everyone sleeps far better.
And as much as we all love sharing a bed with our dogs, there’s no denying that during a heatwave you all basically turn into little radiators. Giving everyone a bit more space and a cooler sleeping spot can make a huge difference on those stuffy summer nights.
Outside can actually feel cooler than inside
This sounds backwards, but shaded areas in the garden are often cooler than a roasting new-build house, especially if there’s even the slightest breeze outside.
We spend a lot of time moving between shady spots throughout the day rather than assuming indoors is automatically best. Trees, parasols, covered patios or even the shaded side of the house can make surprisingly comfortable spots for dogs to relax. So don’t feel like a bad dog owner if outdoors is genuinely cooler – you know your dog and your home best.
Stay on top of grooming
When warmer weather arrives, regular grooming makes a huge difference to how comfortable dogs feel day to day.
Brushing out excess fur helps remove loose hair that can make them feel hotter and more uncomfortable, especially during heatwaves when even lying still seems like hard work.
You don’t necessarily need a dramatic summer haircut either. In fact, shaving a dog can often make things worse, as their coat actually helps regulate temperature and protects their skin from the sun. For a lot of dogs, simply staying on top of brushing and removing loose undercoat can help far more than people realise.
Final Thoughts
Keeping a new-build house cool in summer can feel like a full-time job, especially when the heat seems to cling to every room and your dogs are constantly searching for the coolest spot in the house.
But honestly, it’s usually the small things that make the biggest difference. Keeping airflow moving, blocking direct sunlight, making sure there’s always fresh water available and slightly lowering expectations for productivity during heatwaves all help more than you’d think.
Summer with dogs doesn’t have to mean avoiding the heat entirely – it’s more about finding little ways to stay comfortable together. Even if that does involve frozen treats for everyone and collectively refusing to move until September.
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