Cooling a Dog in Hot Weather: 10 Ways to Prevent Overheating

10 Ways to Beat the Heat

1. Reschedule your walks

Move walks to the cooler morning or evening hours. In summer, asphalt and sidewalks can reach up to 60°C. Rule of thumb: hold the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for dog paws too. Alternative: pick grass and forest paths.

2. Never leave them in the car

At an outside temperature of 30°C, the inside of a closed car rises to 40°C in 10 minutes and to over 50°C in 30 minutes. Even with the windows cracked open or in the shade. A dog can survive these temperatures for only a few minutes. No errand and no appointment justifies that risk.

3. Keep rooms cool at home

Before leaving the apartment: darken the room (curtains, blinds) and turn on a fan. If you have one, run the air conditioning. A cooling mat provides extra relief. Tile and stone floors are naturally cool, and many dogs instinctively seek out these spots.

4. Shade and fresh water

Outdoors: always provide access to shade and fresh water. Shade under trees is better than under a parasol (air circulation). Dog houses are dangerous in summer because the air inside gets trapped like in a car. Change the water several times a day, and ice cubes keep it cool longer.

5. Water to cool down

Wetting the legs and belly cools the dog from the outside. When hosing them down, always start at the paws and work your way up slowly (never pour cold water directly over the head). A paddling pool in the garden, a lawn sprinkler, or a shallow stream are ideal for cooling off.

6. Go swimming

Lakes, rivers, or dog pools offer the best way to cool down. Watch the water quality (no blue-green algae, no strong current). After swimming in salt water or lakes: rinse the coat with clean water. More on this: How to teach your dog to swim

7. Frozen snacks

Freeze yogurt, quark, or liver sausage in ice-cube trays. Fill a Kong with treats and freeze it. Offer watermelon (without seeds) in chunks. These snacks cool from the inside and keep the dog busy at the same time. No ice cream with sugar or chocolate (theobromine is toxic to dogs).

8. Adjust the food

In the heat, most dogs have less of an appetite. Instead of one big meal: several small portions spread across the day. That eases the strain on the circulation. Provide more water than usual, and mix some water into the food if needed.

9. Coat care in summer

Brush regularly and remove mats. Don't shave them down to the skin. The coat protects against cold as well as UV radiation and heat. For long-haired breeds, your vet or groomer can advise whether a moderate summer trim makes sense.

10. Parasite protection

In summer, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are at their peak. Apply tick and flea treatments regularly. For trips to the Mediterranean: protection against sandflies (which transmit leishmaniasis). See your vet in spring and discuss parasite protection.

Spotting heatstroke and giving first aid

Symptoms of heatstroke: Heavy, uncontrolled panting. Red or dark red gums. A fast heartbeat. Staggering, weakness, disorientation. Vomiting or diarrhea. Loss of consciousness.

First aid: Get the dog into the shade immediately. Offer water (don't force it). Cool the paws, legs, and belly with lukewarm (not ice-cold) water. Lay a wet towel on the neck. Go to the vet right away. Heatstroke can still turn deadly even after an apparent recovery.

Especially at risk: Flat-faced breeds (pug, bulldog, boxer), older dogs, overweight dogs, dogs with heart or respiratory conditions, and dogs with thick coats (husky, Saint Bernard).

At the beach and the lake

Beach. In summer, sand can get just as hot as asphalt. Test it before stepping onto it. Provide fresh drinking water before you let the dog off the leash (otherwise it will drink salt water). After swimming: rinse the coat thoroughly with clean water (salt + sand dries out the skin).

Lakes and rivers. Watch for currents. Standing water can develop blue-green algae in the heat (toxic). If the dog vomits or gets diarrhea after swimming: go to the vet immediately.

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