During the hottest months of summer, it can be challenging to figure out how to keep dogs cool, especially without A/C. But there are some key things you can do to help keep your pooch happy and healthy, even when we’re experiencing extreme heat.
Here’s what you can do to keep your furry friend nice and cool.
Keep Lots Of Cool Water Around
The most important thing is to encourage your dog to drink cool water by keeping lots of it around. Add ice if you need to. Keep a bowl inside, in a spot where they’re used to finding it, and another outside in the shade.
You can put a cold, damp towel down and encourage your dog to stand on it; this helps them cool off by releasing heat through their paw pads. If you have a chamois cloth, you can soak it in cool water, wring it out, and drape it over your dog’s back.
Keep a spray bottle full of cool water on hand and use it to spray your dog’s belly and paws. You can also gently spray your dog with cool water from a hose, turn a sprinkler on, or fill a wading pool with an inch or two of water for splashing time! NOTE: Dogs can drown in as little as four inches of water. Do not overfill.
Keep Cooling Objects Handy
Use fans to keep your dog cool. If you need to, set one up next to each of their resting spaces, including outside.
Give your dog frozen treats to help them cool down.
Use a cooling vest, bandana, or collar to provide your dog with extra relief. Typically, you soak them in water before putting them on your dog. As water evaporates off the fabric, it helps lower their body temperature. Some products, instead, have pockets where you can insert frozen ice packs.
You can also use a cooling mat or mesh cot to help keep your dog cool. Cooling mats are designed to absorb body heat. Mesh cots lift your pet off the floor to allow air to circulate beneath them.
Provide A Cool Place For Down Time
Keeping your dogs cool without A/C can be challenging but there are some important — and affordable — things you can do to help your pup stay comfortable.
Outside, make sure your dog has a shady place to rest. Set up a nest of cool, wet towels, a cooling mat, or cot beneath a tree with a bowl full of cool water and a fan. If you don’t have a naturally shady spot outside, you can make your own by setting up a tarp or a large umbrella.
Inside, be sure your dog has access to rooms with hard floors, like the kitchen or the bathroom. Carpet will make them feel even warmer than they already are. Set up a fan and a cooling mat, cot, or cool, damp towels. Aim a fan toward their resting spot. And keep your shades pulled during the day and the windows open at night to encourage the heat to stay out and the cool to stay in.
When You’re Outside Matters
Walk your dog in the morning or the evening to avoid hot pavement. On a really hot day, it may help to put protective shoes on your dog’s paws.
The same goes for other kinds of outdoor time. Spend time on the beach or in a park in the morning or the evening and don’t forget to bring along a big thermos of cold water and a bowl so your pooch can stay cool and hydrated.
Know The Early And Later Signs Of Heatstroke In Dogs
Even if you’re doing your best to keep your dog cool, you should also know the signs of heatstroke so you can act quickly and avoid a health-compromising or life-threatening situation for your pet.
The American Kennel Club says to watch for:
- Heavy panting and rapid breathing.
- Excessive drooling.
- Dry mucous membranes.
- Bright red gums and tongue.
- Skin that feels hot to the touch.
- A higher heart rate.
- Possible hyperactivity or difficulty staying balanced.
To learn common symptoms of more severe heatstroke and about what actions to take, read this post by the American Kennel Club.