18 Tips: How to cool down your dog in hot weather
- Claudia Weise
- Updated: 2023-08-15
It's scorching hot outside and you want to cool your dog off? It's a good idea. To help you cool your dog down properly, we've got 18 helpful tips you can put to use right away. So be curious.
1. Take Important Actions in the Car
If you must take your dog with you, never leave him in the car. Even if you just want to stop at a store for a few minutes to buy a newspaper.
Even if it's not that hot outside, the interior of a closed car can get unbelievably hot. Caution is advised at 20 degrees and above.
On a 30 degree day, the temperature inside the car can rise to 40 degrees within 10 minutes, even with the window slightly open. After just 30 minutes, the temperature can rise to 50 degrees.
So, if you can't leave your dog at home for any reason, go where dogs are welcome and you can take him with you. A cooling vest for the dog can also be very helpful on hot days.
2. When Your Dog Is Home Alone
Before leaving the house, make sure your dog is comfortable and relaxed. If you have air conditioning in the house, leave it on and darken the room with curtains or blinds.
If you don't have air conditioning, get a good, strong fan to circulate the air and keep the room cool, and let the air in through a window. A cooling vest or mat for the dog will help pass the time until you get home.
3. Training or Walking in the Heat
If it's hot and humid in the summer, walk during the cooler morning or evening hours.
It is important to bring plenty of water. Both you and your dog need a lot of fluids in high temperatures.
Before you go, check the pavement and sidewalk. If it's too hot for your hand, it's way too hot for your dog's paws and you should stay home unless you have an alternative like grass to walk on. Be sure to stay off the pavement.
4. Take Action Outdoors
If the dog spends a lot of time outdoors alone, provide cool shade and plenty of water. If it is allowed inside, do not leave it outside for too long. If the dog is not allowed inside, it should spend the day in the shade.
Change the water several times a day; a few ice cubes in the water will keep it cooler longer. Shade under trees is better for dogs than under a parasol.
A bad place is the supposed shade in a doghouse, where the air is trapped. Like in a car, the air cannot circulate and heats up fatally.
5. High Humidity
If the humidity is too high, you should stay indoors and bring your dog indoors as he may have difficulty breathing. If the air is too humid, the dog can't pant enough to cool itself down. This raises the dog's temperature, which can lead to heat stroke.
Stay indoors with your dog and limit exercise. Vulnerable dogs especially need your full attention. Be careful of dogs with flat noses, such as pugs or bulldogs. They have shorter airways and give off heat poorly when they pant.
This includes older dogs, dogs that are overweight, and dogs with heart or respiratory disease. They are all more susceptible to heat stroke.
6. Cool Snacks to Beat the Summer Heat
Freeze your dog's favorite treats in ice cube form to cool him down from the inside out. Most dogs love frozen cottage cheese balls, yogurt ice cubes, or even liverwurst. However, some foodies also enjoy a frozen bread crust as an activity.
7. Summer Hair Care
Grooming a long-haired dog in the summer heat can be exhausting. Get rid of any tangles and get his coat in shape. But do not shave the coat itself. The coat that protects the dog from the cold in the winter can also keep the body cool in the summer.
8. Protection From Parasites
This is also part of your dog's wellness program during the summer months. Visit your veterinarian in the spring to check for parasites. Just as the temperatures are getting friendlier and warmer, the dog is spending more time outdoors and in the water.
This is also the time of year for parasites. Fleas, mosquitoes, worms, ticks, and even rabies are things you need to protect your dog from now. Administer medications or treatments regularly to keep these pests away.
9. Summer Swimming With the Dog
If you have a lake, flowing water, or even the ocean nearby, take your dog swimming. Take small balls or other floating toys with you so that you and your dog never get bored in the water.
If none of the above swimming options are available, there may be a pond or stream nearby where your dog can splash around.
10. Water Games With the Hose
If your dog doesn't mind being sprayed with a water hose, this is a great way to cool off in the summer heat.
When spraying, always start with the paws up, just like people. Have a water fight with your dog or let him catch drops of water.
11. Cool Forest Walk
If the forest is not too far away and you do not have to drive long distances, the forest is a cool place for the dog to relax in the summer.
Do not forget to keep your dog on a leash, as hunters do not like poaching dogs. Again, always take plenty of water with you.
12. Eat Ice Cream (Not Everyone!)
If you are in the mood for ice cream, you can treat your dog to a scoop of ice cream, preferably vanilla. Just stay in the shade and enjoy the coolness, your dog will do the same.
You should definitely stay away from chocolate ice cream. Chocolate or theobromine poisoning is a poisoning with the purine alkaloid theobromine. Dogs in particular, but also cats, can be poisoned by chocolate. Poisoning can be fatal.
Important Notice: Keep in mind that ice cream - any kind - contains sugar and flavorings that are not healthy for your dog. So use it sparingly and only in extreme cases.
13. Freeze Dog Toy
Make a natural rubber cone. Fill it with all kinds of treats for your four-legged friend and freeze it. In the summer heat, your dog can keep busy with this cool toy.
14. Moisturize Your Dog’s Coat
It is enough to wet the dog's legs and belly repeatedly to cool it from the outside. If possible, place the dog on a cool tile or stone floor.
A damp carpet pad is less suitable because the moisture in the carpet pad will be reheated by your own body heat.
15. Reduce Chuck
In general, dogs are more thirsty and less hungry in the heat. But there are also dogs that never get full and are always hungry.
In general, the dog's meal should be smaller on hot days. Instead of feeding one large portion, feed several small portions (for adult dogs). This will help keep the cardiovascular system from becoming overloaded.
16. Wading Pool & Lawn Sprinkler
If you have a sturdy wading pool or lawn sprinkler on the balcony or in the garden where your friend can cool off, he will be happy to take advantage of it.
17. Precautions - Vacation by the Sea
Test the sand on the beach with your hand before your dog steps on it. Otherwise, he will get blisters.
Remember that a dog driven to the beach in a hot car or walking to the beach in the sun is very thirsty. It does not know that the water in front of its eyes is salty and not good for it.
So before you let your dog off the leash on the beach, make sure you have a large bowl of water ready for him. He needs to be able to drink a lot so he doesn't feel like drinking seawater.
Drinking salt water will not necessarily make you sick, but it will empty your dog's stomach. He will vomit and may feel uncomfortable. He will also swallow a little when he swims in the water, but that's not bad. Give him plenty of water to drink after his bath and he will love the ocean.
Also, if you're not on the Mediterranean, make sure that seas have tides and that the dog doesn't wander far out on the seabed at high tide. Many dog owners have been caught in the tide and drowned trying to save their dog.
Wash your dog's coat well after a saltwater bath, it will also contain a lot of sand which is itchy on the dog's skin. Both together will dry out the skin and can cause irritation.
18. Summer Vacation on Freshwater Waters
When vacationing on fresh water, be aware that natural rivers and lakes can have dangerous currents.
Standing water can pose all sorts of dangers from heat, parasites in the water, and even algae, which can be toxic to dogs if the water is contaminated with certain algae. Take him to the vet immediately!
No matter what the water, a dog that can swim can still drown if it inhales water.
If you want him to be safe, buy a long leash and swim with him on a leash. Some dogs are accustomed to this from an early age and feel safest with their owner holding the leash.
This behavior can be trained in a dog from an early age. After all, many dog owners have lost their own lives trying to save their dogs from drowning.
Summary
During the summer months, you and your dog can have a lot of fun outdoors. But when the temperatures rise, it's important to take the right precautions to protect your pet.
Whether you are walking your dog in the city, riding in the car, or just playing in the backyard, the heat can be very dangerous for your dog. In any case, strenuous dog sports are prohibited as they can lead to cardiovascular problems.
But you should also know the signs of overheating so you can respond in an emergency. Your dog can't tell you when he's uncomfortable.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, seek immediate veterinary attention as heat stroke may be present: heavy panting, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, excessive drooling, restlessness, weakness, dizziness, red or dark gums.
I'm editor-in-chief at Hundeo and when it comes to dogs, my heart beats faster. My goal is to publish the best dog guides on the web. There is a lot of passion in every article and I welcome any feedback to constantly improve our content.
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