7 Ways to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

Heatstroke in dogs often comes on suddenly and can be fatal. Signs include excessive panting, drooling and/or collapse. Should your dog show any of these symptoms: move them to a cool place – preferably somewhere with a breeze, wet their body with cool – but not freezing – water, and contact your vet immediately. However, prevention is better than treatment; by the time you phone your vet, it may be too late. Here are 7 ways to keep your dog cool and prevent heatstroke this summer.

1. Timing is Everything

Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperature drops. Walking in a shaded area is better than walking on hot pavements. Going to the beach is great (if you live near the coast) as your dog can cool off in the water when they want to. Always take drinking water with you on your walk.

2. Water, Water, Water!

No matter what the temperature is, your dog should always have access to fresh drinking water. When the weather is warmer, try dotting water bowls around your house and garden to encourage your dog to drink throughout the day. You can get special bowls that keep the water cooler for longer but if you keep refreshing your dog’s water bowl, there is no need to purchase these – a bit of ice in the bottom of their normal bowl will keep the water cold.

3. Stay in the Shade

If your dogs are like mine (they love the sun) this is easier said than done. However, you should make sure that your dog always has an area available that is sheltered from direct sunlight. Get the kids involved and challenge them to build a den that will provide shelter for your pup.

4. Keep Cool in the Pool

Lots of people have a paddling pool for their dog. It is a fun and easy way to keep dogs cool during the summer months. I have found rigid plastic pools endure my clumsy dogs climbing in and out of them better than soft plastic or inflatable ones – you just need to find the material and size that best suits your breed of dog.

5. Let Them Dig

In the wild, canines dig down to reveal cool ground to lie in. You do not want your dog digging up your plants so providing them with a sand pit to dig in will help them stay cool and save your garden. You can also hide some toys in there and turn digging into a rewarding game. The same rule applies for choosing a sandpit as choosing a paddling pool: think about the material and size that is best for your dog – we use a hard-plastic pool for our sand pit.

6. Turn Treat Time into Cool Time

Making frozen doggy treats is great fun and a rewarding way to keep your dog’s temperature down during warmer weather. Smoofl is a fantastic company that sell ‘make your own’ iced treats for your dog; you just need to add water, mix, pour into moulds then put in the freezer. There are some lovely dog-themed silicone moulds on the market. You can always make your own by: mixing peanut butter, mashed banana and natural yoghurt; spooning into a silicone mould and popping it in the freezer.

7. Things You Can Buy: mats, vests, collars and toys

Due to the increasing number of dogs suffering from heatstroke, the market for pet cooling products is flooded with items to keep dogs cool in summer. Some of the most common contraptions are cooling vests. Because dogs only lose heat through their paws, nose and by panting, wearing a cooling vest simulates a similar process to humans sweating to keep your dog’s body temperature down during hot weather. You can also get various cooling collars and cool mats for your dog to lie on. There are also a variety of toys on the market, designed to keep dogs cool during summer. I have bought a few different ones and, to be honest, my dogs were not interested in them; they would rather have a stuffed Kong that had been frozen to play with. However, all dogs are different, and your pooch may like a frozen chew toy to play with.

Whatever combination of cooling ideas you decide to use, remember that, when it comes to heatstroke in dogs, prevention is better than treatment. Never leave your dog in a car on a warm day, be aware of what your breed of dog requires (brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to heatstroke due to their short noses reducing their ability to cool air as it enters the body) and be aware that older or overweight dogs may suffer more in the heat.

Sometimes it’s best to stay inside…

On extremely hot days, you may be better entertaining your dog in your home rather than spending time in the sunshine. See my 7 Ways To Exercise Your Dog Indoors for some activities to keep you and your dog entertained in the house.