Best summer dog products
Date published: 15 May 2026
Summer with a dog is rarely calm, clean or particularly predictable. One minute they’re stretched out in the shade, the next they’re launching themselves into the sea fully clothed in sand. That’s why knowing how to keep your dog cool in summer can make a huge difference when temperatures start climbing.
Whether you’re heading off on a coastal escape or squeezing in a countryside weekend away, a few well-chosen dog travel essentials can make life much easier. Not in a flashy way, either. More in a “less wet dog smell in the car” sort of way. Which everyone appreciates.
From the best dog cooling mat to beach-ready towels and tick protection, these products are genuinely useful during warmer months. If you’re after practical advice for dog owners in hot weather, this list rounds up the summer items worth having nearby before your next adventure begins.
Cooling Mats
When the weather turns sticky, dogs are often the first to flop dramatically across the coldest surface they can find. Cooling mats give them somewhere comfortable to properly switch off after a long walk, a beach run or an afternoon snoozing in the garden. Particularly useful in cottages that catch lots of summer sun.
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Cooling Vests
Some dogs treat warm weather as a personal challenge and simply keep going. Cooling vests help take the edge off during longer walks, especially for thick-coated breeds or enthusiastic explorers who refuse to acknowledge they’re overheating. Handy for countryside hikes, coastal paths and those suspiciously uphill routes that looked easier online.
Portable Dog Water Bottles
Every dog owner has eventually attempted to create a water bowl using cupped hands, a coffee cup lid or whatever else happens to be nearby. Portable water bottles make life far easier on road trips, beach days and summer walks where water stops can be surprisingly few and far between.
Collapsible Travel Bowls
Not glamorous. Very useful. Collapsible bowls barely take up space, weigh next to nothing and suddenly become essential the moment your dog decides they’re desperately thirsty halfway through a walk. Ideal for chucking into backpacks, car boots and coat pockets before heading off on a summer adventure.
Cooling Bandanas
Cooling bandanas sit somewhere between practical and mildly ridiculous, which is part of their charm. Soaked in cold water, they can help dogs stay comfortable on warmer days without adding bulk or fuss. Plus, they tend to make every dog look either incredibly stylish or deeply unimpressed. Sometimes both.
Dog Lifejackets
Not every dog is a natural swimmer, despite what their confidence levels might suggest. Lifejackets are useful for paddleboarding trips, boat rides and excitable dogs launching themselves into deep water without much of a plan. They also give owners a bit more peace of mind during seaside holidays and lakeside adventures.
Tick Removers & Tick Repellent Collars
Ticks are an unfortunate part of summer walks, particularly in woodland, heathland and long grassy areas. Tick removers are worth keeping nearby for peace of mind alone, while repellents can help reduce the chances of finding unwanted passengers later. Not the most glamorous holiday accessory, but definitely one of the smarter ones.
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Dog-Safe Suncream
Some dogs genuinely need suncream, especially those with pale noses, short coats or exposed skin. A day stretched out on the beach can leave them surprisingly vulnerable to sunburn. It’s one of those products people rarely think about until they realise their dog has spent six straight hours baking beside a deckchair.
Paw Balm
Hot pavements, rough coastal trails and sandy beaches can all be tougher on paws than people expect. Paw balm helps soothe dry or cracked pads after busy days outdoors, particularly during heatwaves when surfaces stay warmer long into the evening. Useful for active dogs who never seem to understand the concept of slowing down.
Reflective LED Collars
Summer often means later walks, slower evenings and pub gardens that accidentally turn into all-night events. Reflective or LED collars make dogs easier to spot once the light starts fading, especially in countryside areas with limited street lighting. Also useful for owners who constantly lose sight of black dogs after sunset.
Dog Drying Coats
After a sea swim, most dogs somehow become both soaking wet and coated in sand within seconds. Drying coats help contain at least some of the chaos before everyone heads back inside. Particularly appreciated in cottages where cream sofas and muddy paws are an objectively stressful combination.
Microfibre Towels
A proper dog towel can save a surprising amount of hassle after wet walks, lake swims or sudden summer downpours. Microfibre versions dry quickly, pack down small and cope admirably with muddy paws. Every holiday eventually reaches the stage where one towel becomes dedicated entirely to the dog. Best to plan ahead.
Long-Line Leads
Long-line leads are ideal for beaches, open countryside and dogs whose recall becomes mysteriously selective outdoors. They give adventurous pups room to roam while keeping things under control around wildlife, other walkers or seasonal restrictions. Far less stressful than repeatedly shouting your dog’s name into the wind for twenty minutes.
Floating Dog Toys
Some dogs discover the sea and immediately transform into Olympic swimmers. Floating toys make beach days more interactive while stopping favourite tennis balls from disappearing forever into the tide. They’re also excellent for tiring out energetic dogs before everyone attempts a peaceful pub lunch afterwards.
Pop-Up Beach Shades
Dogs don’t always know when to get out of the sun, particularly if there’s food nearby or another dog to stare at intensely. Portable beach shades create somewhere cooler to retreat during hotter afternoons and make longer beach stays far more comfortable for everyone involved.
Sand-Proof Dog Blankets
A normal blanket taken to the beach usually returns home carrying half the coastline with it. Sand-proof versions make life noticeably easier during beach picnics, sunset evenings and lazy afternoons beside the sea. Particularly useful if your dog believes every blanket exists purely as somewhere to shake themselves violently.
Car Seat Covers
Summer adventures have a habit of ending with muddy paws, wet fur and mysterious smells lingering in the car for days afterwards. Seat covers help protect interiors from the aftermath of countryside walks and beach swims, while also making cleanup dramatically less depressing once the holiday’s over.
Portable Pet First Aid Kits
Most holidays pass without incident, but it’s reassuring to have basic supplies nearby for grazed paws, stings or overenthusiastic encounters with brambles. Compact pet first aid kits are easy to pack and worth carrying on longer walks, especially in more remote areas where the nearest shop could be miles away.
GPS Trackers
New walking routes, huge beaches and unfamiliar surroundings can sometimes turn confident dogs into tiny disappearing specks on the horizon. GPS trackers offer reassurance during holidays where there’s more freedom to roam. Particularly useful for escape artists, scent chasers and dogs who suddenly forget their own names outdoors.
By this point, your dog probably deserves a holiday just as much as you do. Whether you’re planning beach walks, countryside hikes or lazy afternoons in a pub garden, having the right gear nearby makes summer breaks feel far less hectic. Once you’re ready to get away, browse our dog-friendly short breaks and find somewhere both you and your four-legged companion will love.
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
