How To Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

Nothing is better than frolicking outside with your dog on a summer day! It’s important to note that dogs can overheat very easily compared to humans, so we need to take extra steps to keep them cool. Avoiding the heat during heatwaves is always the best bet, however there are many ways to enjoy our moderately hot summer days together safely. Read on to discover how to keep your dog cool in summer & learn the signs to watch out for to avoid your pet overheating.

17 Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool in Summer

Here are our top 17 tips to keep your dog cool and comfortable in the summertime:

1. Keep your dog inside.
   
   A dog that is kept inside most of the hot day has less chance of suffering from overheating, particularly if the house is kept cool with fans or air conditioning. If you cannot have your dog inside all day, you could consider installing a pet door to make sure your dog has access to the cooler temperature indoors.
2. Provide fresh drinking water.
   
   Make sure your dog stays hydrated with plenty of fresh drinking water. If you are at home, that means ensuring the water bowl is constantly filled or investing in an automatic refilling water bowl. If you are out at a park or a beach with your dog, take fresh water in a portable or collapsible bowl.
3. Give frozen treats.
   
   A frozen treat throughout the day will help your dog cool down. Either freeze berries, bananas or apples for a healthy frozen treat by placing berries in a container filled with water and freeze. Alternatively, you could freeze a pig’s ear in water and low-sodium liquid stock for a tasty treat. You can also buy frozen dog popsicles and ice cream from some stores and supermarkets.
4. Provide shade and a cool area to rest.
   
   Make sure there is a shaded area for your dog to rest. That might simply be trees outside or an outdoor pergola. If you don’t have a shaded area or are at a public park or beach, you can buy portable sunshades, pop-up canopies, beach tents, umbrellas, or a pet bed with a canopy.
5. Use hydro toys.
   
   These hydro toys are a fun way to cool your dog down. Filled with water or frozen, your dog will love chewing on them or playing catch. You can also get hydro toys that a dog can play with in the water.
6. Use ice packs, cooling mats, or wet towels.
   
   Applying ice packs to your dog’s underarm area and groin can keep them cool. Alternatively, you can drape a towel in tepid water over your dog, removing it when it is dry as you don’t want it to have the reverse effect and heat up. Cooling mats are another option and stay cool for about 4-6 hours on hot days. Typically, these mats contain a gel that absorbs a dog’s body heat. They are great for dogs who love to lounge around; however, in extreme heat a cooling mat will only stay cool for about 2-3 hours.
7. Use a cooling collar, vest or bandana.
   
   There are a large variety of cooling vests, collars and bandanas on the market, and they can all offer some relief to your dog on hot days. There are two types of cooling collars and vests, one that works through evaporation and one that is filled with ice. The dog cooling bandanas work through evaporation. The evaporative process works when the collar, vest or bandana is soaked in water and placed on your dog. A special layer of fabric with gel or crystals absorbs the water which then evaporates, removing excess body heat from your dog at the same time. Alternatively, you can purchase collars or vests that are filled with ice. These either have an ice sheet or need to be put in the freezer. With the ice vests or collars, be aware that you don’t want your dog to cool down too quickly, and some dogs without much fur, like greyhounds, may find them uncomfortable.
8. Use sunscreen.
   
   Sun protection is important to help protect your dog from sunburn, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. Use sunscreen that is specially formulated for dogs. Ideally, it should be waterproof, unscented and have a sun factor protection rating of 30 or above. While all dogs are subject to sunburn, fair-skinned dogs with white hair and pink noses are the most susceptible, so it is important to keep them out of the sun or regularly apply sunscreen to their ears and nose.
9. Use a spray bottle.
   
   Spray cool water in your dog’s mouth, the bottom of its feet, and the underside of its body to relieve the heat.
10. Avoid outside activities in the middle of the day.
    
    The heat is strongest in the middle of the day, so avoid taking your dog outside then. Organise walks or play activities for the early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler.
11. Avoid excessive exercise.
    
    Dogs need exercise, but in extreme heat, excessive exercise can contribute to overheating. If you want to exercise your dog, try playing indoor games that are not overly exertive.
12. Protect your dog’s paws from burning.
    
    Dogs’ paws are extremely sensitive so it is vital to protect them from hot surfaces where they might burn. A good test is to place the back of your hand on the pavement and see how long it takes before it burns. The pavement is too hot for your dog’s paws if it cannot last there for 7 seconds.
13. Give your dog more wet food during summer.
    
    Wet food can help your dog stay hydrated during summer. Things like chicken, eggs, spinach and fruits are natural wet food choices. Alternatively store bought wet food is a better option than dry food during hot weather.
14. Provide water to play in.
    
    Let your dog play in the water, whether at a beach, river, pool or just under the sprinkler. Water play is one of the best ways to help your dog stay cool in the hot weather. Be mindful of water safety when it comes to your dogs, and never leave your dog unattended in the water.
15. Keep your dog at a healthy weight.
    
    If your dog is overweight, it will be harder to breathe and pant, so it is important to keep it at a healthy weight. As dogs may be doing less exercise on hot days, adjust your dog’s diet accordingly to minimise any significant weight gain.
16. Ensure regular grooming.
    
    Keeping your dog’s coat brushed, clipped and free of knots and matting can help them stay cool. Double-coated dogs should be groomed and de-shedded at the beginning of the hot season to remove any dead hair and ensure the outer coat can work as an effective insulator.
17. Use raised dog beds.
    
    Elevated beds help keep dogs cool, as they are made of mesh and raised off the floor, which promotes more airflow.

Why Dogs Overheat

Understanding why dogs overheat, and any predisposing factors may help you protect your precious pup from succumbing to the heat. Dogs are more prone to overheating because they have a high body temperature of 38.3 to 39.1 degrees Celsius, an inefficient cooling down system and limited ability to sweat. It is harder to control when they overheat, so we need to take extra precautions with them on hot days.

Unlike humans who can sweat all over, dogs can only sweat through their paw pads and nose, which only allows a minor reduction in body temperature. Only by panting can dogs circulate the necessary air through their bodies to cool down. Panting helps dogs stay cool as the lining of the mouth is an evaporative surface, like skin is when humans sweat. When the air passes over a dog’s saliva in their mouth, it gives a cooling effect. If your dog is panting heavily, understand they may be overheated and offer water, shade or take them indoors. Breed, age, size, and coat type can make a dog more prone to overheating:

• Breed. Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, like Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus and Boxers, are more likely to overheat. This is because their breathing is affected by their facial structure. The small nasal openings, soft palates, and narrow windpipe result in limited airflow, so they find it difficult to breathe in enough air to stay cool.
• Age. As dogs age, they cannot regulate their body temperature as well. Senior dogs may also have some age-related issues that affect their ability to cool down. Aging dogs find panting challenging and have decreased cardiac output, so the heart doesn’t pump enough blood to supply adequate oxygen to organs and tissues. Ineffective vasodilation is another age-related issue in senior dogs where the blood vessels don’t widen enough to let blood flow through the body. All of these factors make dogs more prone to heat-related problems like heatstroke.
• Weight. Dogs that are overweight are more prone to overheating. Overweight dogs will heat up quicker and have less capacity to cool down.
• Coat. A dog’s coat can affect its ability to cool down in several ways. While dogs with a double coat have the ability to regulate temperature effectively, they can be prone to overheating if the coat is not kept clean and groomed. Black or dark-coated dogs are also more likely to overheat as their coat absorbs heat faster.

Consider all of these factors when caring for your dog through the warmer months. So, what are the signs to watch out for to ensure your dog doesn’t overheat?

Signs of an Overheating Dog

Recognising if your dog is overheating is essential, so you can take the necessary steps to cool it down. Your four-legged friend cannot tell you if they are too hot, but you can look out for signs. Sometimes it might be physical symptoms that are easy to interpret such as excessive panting and thirst, or laboured breathing. Other times dogs might communicate their discomfort through their body language, like kicking up their paws on hot concrete. Ensuring your dog doesn’t overheat is vital to avoiding heat exhaustion, or worse, heat stroke.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a reaction to the body losing excess amounts of water or salt. It begins with simple signs like your dog panting or drooling, and, if left untreated, can evolve into a severe medical condition called heat stroke.

• Searching for shade or water
• Elevated body temperature
• Increase in pulse/heart rate
• Excessive panting
• Excessive thirst
• Slowing down / stopping when walking or running
• Drooling and salivating
• Rapid heart rate
• Anxiety, including wide eyes that look stressed

Signs of heat stroke

If your dog develops heat stroke, it will have no control over its internal temperature. Your dog will become extremely unwell and eventually unresponsive if no action is taken to cool it down.

• Stumbling or dizziness
• Mental dullness
• Gums turning pale
• Dark, red or black urine
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

What To Do If Your Dog Overheats

If you have noticed signs that your dog is overheating, there are some simple things you can do to help it regulate its body temperature. In the early stages of heat exhaustion, these actions may prevent it from turning into heat stroke.

When a dog has signs of heat exhaustion:

• Move your dog to a cooler location
• Offer water and encourage them to drink
• Apply cool (not cold) water to the dog’s body
• Take the dog to the vet if there is no improvement

When a dog has signs of heat stroke:

• Contact your vet immediately
• Try to encourage the dog to drink small amounts of water
• Try to keep the dog calm
• Use cooling mats or wet towels to try and cool the dog down
• Apply cooling tactics while you are on the way to the vet

We all want to have fun in the sun with our dogs, but it is important to always keep an eye on the temperature and remember our furry friends have a harder time managing the heat than us. Frozen treats, hydro toys and cooling mats are just some of the great ways to have a safe time enjoying the summer together.