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Warm weather can be lovely for dogs, but it can also become uncomfortable surprisingly quickly, and at worst a medical emergency. On hotter days, dogs need shade, fresh water, cooler resting spots and a gentler daily rhythm, especially when indoor spaces begin to hold heat or exercise happens at the wrong time of day – all simple steps that can help keep your dog cool in hot weather at home.
At Charley Chau, we believe hot weather comfort should feel every bit as considered as winter cosiness. Explore luxury dog beds, blankets and bedding designed to help your dog rest well in warm weather, while keeping your home looking calm, comfortable and beautifully put together.
Creating a comfortable dog bed environment to keep your dog cool
Good rest and sleep is essential to a dog’s well being, both physically and psychologically – we all know the feeling of being tired and grouchy after even one night of poor‑quality sleep. Dogs that rest and sleep well generally tend to be more balanced, less erratic in their behaviour and more responsive in terms of training.
When the weather is warm, dogs often spend even more time stretched out in bed, so the details of their bedding arrangements matter just as much as in winter. Here are some of our tips on ensuring your dog is comfortable in their bed through warm weather ...
What is the best size dog bed for dogs in hot weather?
Remember that dogs don’t cool down by sweating like humans. Along with panting, one of the ways that dogs cool themselves down is to lie down on their side and stretch out fully. What’s going on is that they are releasing heat through their paws and ears, and blood is also being redirected to their skin to release heat.
Lying down on their side or sleeping fully stretched out helps dogs to regulate their body temperature to stay comfortable.
Always make sure your dog has enough space in their bed to stretch and lie flat with legs, back and neck fully extended. Shown in the photo is Charley on a hot day, resting comofrtably with plenty of space to stretch out on a Day Bed Mattress in Velour Teal & Fuchsia.
Our guide on how to measure for a dog bed has more info on measuring a dog for a dog bed.
If your dog’s current bed is too small for stretching out, explore our Day Bed Mattresses and High‑Wall Dog Beds with comforting sides – ideal for dogs who like to lie stretched out in warm weather.
What colours are best for cool dog beds in hot weather?
Many people choose darker colours for their dog’s bedding because they worry about visible muckiness. However, dark colours absorb most wavelengths of light which are then converted into thermal energy – heat.
For hot weather, we recommend swapping your dog’s bedding to paler colours. Pale colours reflect more light than darker colours and therefore retain and radiate much less heat. In short, pale is cool – just as humans often opt for lighter clothing in summer.
With wet, muddy paws being less of an issue in the summer, paler colours are a practical and viable option, and much more comfortable for dogs. Our luxury dog beds have removable covers and spare dog bed covers make it easy to swap to lighter fabrics and colourways as the seasons – or your style preferences – change.
Where to place a dog bed in hot weather
Place your dog's bed in a cool spot away from direct sunlight when it's hot, even if they like sunbathing.
Dog beds absorb and retain heat, and become warm quickly when left in the sun. This makes the bed less appealing for a dog that's already feeling hot.
Many dog owners will have seen a dog flop down on the floor when they're hot. Whilst this is seemingly by choice, given better options the dog might make a different choice. Sleeping regularly on hard floors is not terribly good for a dog’s joints, especially for larger breeds, very young dogs and older dogs Creating a cool, comfy bed option for them to stretch out is best.
Dressing a dog bed to stay cool in hot weather
Less is more through the hottest parts of the day.
We recommend minimising the layers in your dog's bed during the hottest parts of the day - the more air that is trapped around your dog, the warmer the bed.
If your dog settles best with a soft, lightweight dog blanket in their bed, roll it up into a small bolster cushion so that they still have the comforting softness without being cocooned by a warm layer.
Keep your dog's neck cool in bed through hot weather
Many dogs wear a dog collar 24/7. In hot weather, this can make them warmer than they may find comofrtable, and a collar can interfere with their natural cooling mechanism - directing blood to the skin where it can release heat. Dogs have some major arteries flowing through their neck with blood pumping at quite a rate.
If your dog wears a collar 24/7 for safety, keeping them tagged at all times, then consider swapping their regular collar for a loose, lightweight House Collar for their ID tag - a cooler way to keep your dog tagged in hot weather.
Dressing a dog bed to stay cosy overnight in hot weather
When it's baking through the day, it's easy to overlook the fact that temperatures can drop significantly overnight, especially when the night sky is clear and cloud coverage is minimal.
Good quality sleep and rest requires sleeping at the right temperature so, to ensure your dog stays cosy overnight when the air is cool, we recommended adding layers back into the bed for night time.
The easiest way to do this is with a comforting, cosy blanket that they can burrow under or dig around themselves to create a little nest to hunker down in. Blankets are super- easy to drop into a dog bed in the evening and just as easy to pick up in the morning.
Shown in the photo is our Bliss Bolster Bed in Faroe Jade with a Large Faux-Fur Blanket in Polar Bear.
Dog Snuggle Beds for burrowers in hot weather
Our own gang are consummate burrowers which means they want a Snuggle Bed whatever the weather - even if it's 30+ degrees outside. When they start to get warm, we notice our dogs sticking various body parts out from under the cover to keep cool.
In the hot weather, we swap our Snuggle Bed Covers for the Original Charley Chau Snuggle Bed Cover with its classic blanket top as opposed to our Winter Warm Snuggle Bed Covers with the extra-insulation.
Between Snuggle Beds in Cotton for breathability and Snuggle Beds in Velour for soft, all‑round comfort, there’s an option to suit most burrowers in warm weather.
Keeping dog beds hygienically clean in summer
Dog owners tend to wash their dog's bedding less frequently in the summer months as the dry weather means dog beds appear to be less mucky, but summer brings a different kind of hygiene consideration: dust mites.
Dust mites feed on skin flakes and dander and the more food available to dust mites the more they thrive, which is why regular washing is important in summer, even if your dog's bed doesn't look like it needs a wash.
Our Anti-Microbial Dog Bed Liners are a practical way to support a fresher dog bed environment at all times of the year. They offer barrier protection to shield inner mattress pads and bolsters from dander, dust, dirt and everyday mishaps, protecting your dog's bed from the inside, keeping it hygienically clean for longer.
How often should you wash dog beds in summer?
As a guide, many owners find that washing dog beds every 1–2 weeks in summer, or more often for heavier shedders or dogs with allergies, helps keep things fresher.
Summer comfort, the Charley Chau way
Warm-weather essentials do not need to feel temporary or improvised. Charley Chau has been creating luxury dog bedding since 2010, combining comfort, practical care and elegant design for homes that want both function and style.
From deeply comfortable beds to versatile blankets and protective bedding layers, our collection is designed to help dogs rest beautifully at home all year round. In summer, that means thoughtful, easy-living comfort, lighter seasonal choices where they make sense, and practical bedding care that helps keep your dog’s sleeping space fresher through the warmer months.
Explore our Dog Bedding To Keep Cool edit – luxury dog beds, dog blankets and Anti‑Microbial Bed Liners – to create a cool, comfortable setup tailored to your dog and your home.
If you require any advice relating to your dog's cofort and sleeping arrangements please feel free to contact our experts at any time.
From our 'Dog Bedding to Keep Cool ' edit ...
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