How to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

Tips to Help Keep Dogs Cool In Summer

Extremely high temperatures during summer can cause dehydration and heatstroke. While many people head out to bask and enjoy the sunshine, it would be better if you didn’t bring your dog with you. However, if you always take your dog with you on almost any adventure, you must take precautions to prevent him from overheating and getting dehydrated. Below are some of the tips to keep dogs cool during summer.

8 Tips To Help Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

1. Have Plenty of Cold and Clean Water Available

Whether you are hiking with our canine friend or playing in the backyard, always make sure that there is plenty of fresh and cold water available. When you are out and about, carry a portable, collapsible water bowl or a squirt bottle. Let him drink small amounts of water every 30 minutes during the activity. This way you are assured that he doesn’t get dehydrated. Also, make sure that you have enough water to last through the entire time you are gone. If the dog begins to ant excessively, get him to the shade and give him water.

2. Play in Water

During summer, let your dog play in the water. Take them someplace, maybe in a pool or lake and let him play in the water. It is amazing how your dog’s body temperatures can be lowered when your dog gets to swim in cool water.

Related Post: Best Dog Pools

3. Avoid the Mid-day Heat

You can take your dog out to play or just take a walk any time of the day depending on heat and humidity. A mild, overcast day with low humidity will be fine for a midday walk and run. If the temperatures are too high, it is better to avoid the midday heat. Try as much as possible to exercise early in the morning and late in the evening to avoid the midday scorching heat.

4. Keep the Rooms Cool

Circulate cool air in your dog’s room by keeping the windows open, turning on the fan and keeping the air conditioning at a reasonable temperature. Your dog will appreciate having a cool place to rest and relax.

Related Post: Best Dog Cooling Pads

5. Never Leave Dogs in a Parked Car

During summer, temperatures inside a car can rise to an extremely high level that’s dangerous and life-threatening. If you want to take your dog on a road trip during summer, keep an eye on him and check on his temperatures.

6. Leave Him Enough Water to Drink

You should always check your dog’s water bowl regularly and fill it up whenever the water levels are low. If you leave the dog alone in the house, make sure that you leave enough water to last him until you are back.

Read: Best Travel Dog Bowls 

7. Check the Pavements

When the temperatures outside are extremely high, there is a risk that the pavement may be too hot for your dog’s paws. Check the pavement and tarmac before you head out for a walk. If it is too hot for your hand, it will be too hot for his paws. In such a case, you can get little boots for your dog’s paws.

8. Give Him Cool Snacks

When you are a home and the temperatures outside are exceedingly high, try giving your dog a few ice cubes to lick. You can also freeze his favorite chew toys.

How Do You Stop a Dog from Having a Heat Stroke?

Heatstroke in dogs occurs when their internal temperatures rise above 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Heatstroke can be caused by many factors among them being locked in a hot car or over-exercising in a hot and humid environment. Heatstroke is dangerous and can lead to a cascade of very serious conditions that can result in brain damage, organ failure and death.

Whenever you are out and about with your dog, pay close attention to his behavior and body language. There are a couple of things to look out for which could be signs of a developing heart stroke. If you are playing with your dog and he suddenly starts holding back on a walk or run, that’s a clear sign that you all need to take a break and cool off.

Another thing to look out for is the way his ears and tail. When the ears are erect and he also looks alert, great. However, if the ears start to droop, you should start to worry. The same thing happens with the tail. If his tail is up and wagging, he is fine. If it starts to drift down or even go all the way down, that’s another warning sign.

During summer, heatstroke is a serious and common risk in dogs. Puppies, senior dogs and those in poor health are at a higher risk of getting heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Panting and salivating excessively.
• Discomfort
• Vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
• Disorientation and seizures.
• Bright or dark red gums and tongue.
• Excessive drooling and lethargy.

First Aid When Your Pooch is Having a Heatstroke

When you notice any of the above symptoms, here are some of the tips that can help prevent overheating and heatstroke in dogs.

1. Get your dog into a cooler place and call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will then advise you on the measures to take.
2. Have a digital thermometer so you can monitor your dog’s temperatures. When your dog’s temperatures are above 104 degrees, it is time to get them out of the sun and decrease their level of activity. The 104 degrees body temperature isn’t dangerous, but it’s a threshold. A healthy dog handling his heat well can have temperatures of 109 degrees and within a minute drop to 104 and down to 102 in another minute.
3. When the temperatures are still high even after stopping activity and having him stay in a cool place, there is the sign that you need to intervene. Squirt your dog’s chest and armpits with cool water and rub it in. Rinse his mouth with cool water so his internal cooling system can work efficiently.
4. While many signs of heatstroke may not appear for several days, all pet owners must be on the lookout beyond the outdoor activities. Regular visits to the veterinarian can help prevent or heatstroke complications.

How Can I Treat My Dog’s Heat Stroke at Home?

The summer season is always unforgiving to everyone including our pets. While it is hot inside the homes, you can’t run outside because it is hot too. The environment becomes uncomfortable and our body temperatures start to rise as well. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes heatstroke in dogs. When your dog’s temperature ate too high and he is unable to reduce them to the normal level through panting, he might end up developing heatstroke which can be fatal.

Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. They include old dogs, puppies, dogs with thick and heavy strokes and dogs with short flat faces like pugs and bulldogs. Dogs with pre-existing conditions and those on medication are also more at risk.

If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, move them to a cool, shaded area. For the best chances of survival, perform the following first aid procedures.

• Move him out of excessive heat and have him lie down in a shaded/cool area.
• Immediately douse the dog with cool water, to avoid shock. Do not use cold water as it could cause shock. If possible, cover him with wet towels or place him/her in the breeze of a fan.
• If he is alert enough to drink water, provide him with cool water and allow him to drink small amounts until his thirst is quenched.
• Have a digital thermometer so you can monitor your dog’s temperatures. When your dog’s temperatures are above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, continue to monitor him and rest and drink water frequently. The 104 degrees Fahrenheit body temperature isn’t dangerous, but it’s a threshold. If the temperature is above 104 Fahrenheit, cool him by spraying cool water over their body or turn on the fan and have it blow over him.
• Stop the cooling once his temperatures reach 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If there is a dry or wet blanket available, use it to slightly dry him off. This can help prevent continued and excessive cooling.
• Check and take note of the time. This will be helpful when you arrive at the vet and it will also keep you from performing first aid for too long while unnecessarily delaying veterinarian treatment.

What is the Fastest Way to Cool Down a Dog?

When the temperatures are extremely high and your dog exhibits signs of heatstroke, here are some of the fastest ways to cool him down.

1. Soak a towel in cold water and drape it over your dog’s body to cool him slowly. If you have a puppy, you are supposed to use lukewarm water to avoid cooling him too quickly.
2. Use an air conditioner or fan. If your dog is in the early stages of heatstroke, move him indoors to an air conditioner area or place a fan in front of him. You can also let him stay lie down on a cold surface such as floor tiles rather than the carpet.
3. Let him get inside a pool of water. Having your dog stand in a pool or bathtub filled with cool water will help him cool down. Ensure that the water is cool or lukewarm, but not cold.

Give him water to drink. While you are using any methods above, have your dog drink cold water. Make sure that he drinks the water slowly to avoid choking. He should also drink small portions of water to avoid choking.