A Comprehensive Guide On How To Cool Down Your Dog
If you’ve ever wondered how to cool down a dog on a hot day, then this blog post is for you! There are various ways you can do to help your pup beat the heat. For example, there are plenty of cooling mats out there that can be laid on the ground or placed in their crate. You could try putting ice cubes in their water dish and sprinkling some water over them. They will thank you for it by smiling up at you with those adorable eyes and wagging their tail - because who doesn’t love seeing a happy dog?
Summer is hot, and you need to know how to tell if your dog is overheating and how to cool him/her down. Don’t take your dog outside with you if it is too hot.
Fun in the sun is fun for your dog too, but you need to be careful. When it is hot outside, your dog will not be able to stay out for long because it can get very sick. You need to make sure they’re inside or in the shade so they can cool off.
In Canada, our winters are long, and summers can seem short. But that doesn’t mean we don’t feel the heat for at least a few months every year. During that time, it’s essential to know how to cool down your dog and prevent them from overheating.
Even when it is cold outside, the temperature indoors will be hot. When you are in your car or inside your home with a dog, be aware of how the temperature is affecting them. This could affect your dog, especially if it has a long coat, such as the Australian Shepherd and Swiss White Shepherd.
Are Dogs Prone to Overheating?
Under normal weather conditions, dogs can control their body temperature. But hot weather and physical activity can make them feel warmer. There are some breeds that can withstand the hot temperatures outside, including Spaniard dogs and other short-haired breeds.
Outdoor fun can be fun, but it can also be dangerous. You need to take precautions to make sure your dog is safe. Read this guide on how dogs cool off to learn more about symptoms of overheating and what to do if you see them!
What are the Methods Used by Dogs to Cool Down?
Dogs can regulate their own body temperature. They do this by panting and sweating. These things help them maintain an average body temperature for dogs.
Panting is very good because it makes your body cold. This is what happens when you are outside. It does this by moving air through the body, and it helps to make your blood move better too.
When dogs pant, they open their mouth to take in the air. Dogs do this during hot days when they need cooler air. It is not a problem if your pet pants more when it is hotter or outside.
Dogs sweat, but it is different than people. Dogs only sweat through the pads on their paws. This takes away the heat from their body and cools them down.
Dogs have sweat on their feet that helps with the dog’s body temperature. It is most effective in dry climates, where sweat can quickly evaporate and cool down the dog.
When it is scalding outside, your dog can get overheated. It might not be able to cool down.
When is Your Dog Most Likely to Overheat?
The first and most prevalent danger of getting overheated in dogs is dehydration. Dehydration can have an impact on every system in their body, and when they lose water through sweating, panting, and drooling, it must be replenished to avoid the severe symptoms of dehydration.
When it is really hot outside, the more time your dog spends outside, the more likely he is to get overheated. Overheating raises their body temperature, and they have to find a way to cool themselves off.
Dogs sometimes get too hot. Their body temperature is usually around 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, but when they are in a hot environment, their body temperature can quickly go up to dangerous levels. Be careful because if their temperature gets too high, it could be severe for them and could even kill them.
If your friend is feeling odd, you should check their vitals. They might be feeling uncomfortable or have a health problem.
Definition of Heat Stroke
Heatstroke is when a dog’s body temperature is high, and it can’t regulate it. This happens because the cells and organs get damaged. The dog will have seizures, collapse, and might even die if you don’t act quickly.
If you take care of your dog before the symptom happens, then it won’t get hot. You can tell when your dog is too hot because it will have symptoms. Be careful when your dog is outside in the heat, so they don’t get sick.
What are the Symptoms of Dog Overheating?
It’s crucial to monitor your dog’s conduct and pay attention to any physical indications that your dog may be too hot in order to avoid severe adverse effects like dehydration or heatstroke. The following are some of the most prevalent signs of overheating in dogs:
Excessive Panting
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Retching
- Shaking
- Seizures
If you notice your pooch is having any of these symptoms, then you should go to the vet right away. Tell them ahead of time so they can tell you what to do. You should also pay extra attention to your dog's skin and food allergies since this could cause more problems to your dog.
Let’s look at how to spot signs of overheating in order to know when and how to react.
Here are the symptoms of minor overheating in dogs:
- Panting heavily
- Excessive drooling
- Lethargy
- Body temperature of 102-104 F
Some signs are easy to spot, especially if you are doing something active or spending a lot of time outside.
If you find any of these symptoms on your dog, you need to make him relax and cool down. There are various ways to cool him down, such as bringing him inside and giving him some fresh and clean water.
Hot weather can be challenging for people and animals. Make sure your dog has shade to stay cool during the day. Offer him water, too.
Here are the symptoms of moderate overheating in dogs:
- Weakness
- Stumbling
- Shaking or shivering
- Vomiting
- Glazed eyes
- Body temp 104-106 F
This is more serious. Get him inside and keep him in a well-ventilated area with fans or air conditioning.
It is best to contact your vet. The vet knows what to do if there is a problem with your dog. The vet might tell you if it’s safe to take the dog’s temperature and whether you should bring him in for help.
Here are the signs of heatstroke in dogs:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Disorientation or confusion
- Collapse
- Body temp 106 F+
This is an emergency. Your dog needs to get inside and see the vet quickly. They’re in danger of getting hurt if they do not go into the vet office soon. If they don’t want to drink, then you can’t force them. The vet will tell you how to make sure that your dog gets safely there.
Best Practices in Case of an Overheating Dog
Your dog might get too hot in the sun. That’s okay. If he does, try to cool him down with water or by taking him inside.
Keep in mind that you may do a few things to assist your dog’s temperature gradually drop, but if you’re dealing with moderate symptoms or indications of heatstroke, getting them to the veterinarian is essential. Heatstroke is an emergency that must be treated quickly!
Never try to make your dog’s temperature lower. That can make their body go into shock.
If your dog is overheating, you should do some things to help him cool down. Do not wait until he is ultimately better and just call the vet. Help him out by giving him water and putting a wet towel on his head.
Steps on Helping an Overheating Dog to Cooldown:
- If your dog is overheating, try to bring it into the house or into the shade.
- Offer water to your dog. Make sure there is always clean water. If he does not want to drink, you can feed him moisture-rich food like watermelon or goat’s milk.
- You should check your dog’s temperature. A rectal thermometer or an ear thermometer can tell you what your average body temperature is. When they are sick, it is not good if their temperature is high.
- You can use a cloth or towel to go from warm water to room temperature. Put it on your dog’s neck and chest so they can cool. Don’t put them near ice or cold water because then they might get shocked. You can use a fan, too, if you want your dog to cool faster.
- If you think your dog is sick, call the vet. The vet can tell you what to do.
Ways to Prevent Overheating
It is essential for you to take care of your dog in the summer. If it is a short hair or long hair dog, they might have trouble keeping their body temperature down. Just like when caring for an Australian Shepherd, its thick coat is known to be a problem when cooling down its body.
Make sure you are checking in with your dog. Check for signs of overheating, and encourage them to drink water.
Tips on Preventing Your Dog From Overheating
Keep them Hydrated
Make sure to have fresh water available for your dog. It can save their life. If you are on a walk, having some water for them is good. And if they play in the backyard, they need to have some too.
If you’re going outside, make sure you have water and other things. Dogs with flat faces should have bowls to drink from.
If you have a dog and your house doesn’t have air conditioning or good air circulation, they might feel hot. Make sure they drink water.
Not all dogs drink enough water, so make sure you give them as much as they need. You should have a lot of places where the dog can go drink. If your dog is hot, point them towards some water to see if they want to drink it.
Use Cooling Devices
There are now many products that help you cool your dog down. Mats, bandanas, vests, and collars are easy to find and come in many styles.
The most common style is wet clothes. They are the same as sweat clothes. The water inside will slowly evaporate, so you need to keep them moist.
If you want to cool your dog, soak a blanket in cool water. This will help them feel better because it will lower their temperature.
Less common but still helpful, there are cooling products. They feel relaxed because they are cooler than our body temperature. This helps prevent your dog’s body temperature from rising too quickly.
They are often used for inside use, but they do not remove heat as well as cooling gear that you have to put water in.
Prevent them from Getting Exposed to Heat
The most straightforward method of cooling your pet is to limit the amount of time they are exposed to hot temperatures. Outdoor activities should be divided into smaller pieces with longer breaks in between, allowing your dog to rest and cool down before resuming their activity.
If you are going on a hike or camping, make sure you find an area where there is a shade for your dog. This will help them to cool down if they need to rest.
Never lock your pet in a small room or in their car when it is hot. These areas can get hot, and air cannot go through them, so they will not be cool. To cool down your dog when you are inside, point the fan towards him so he will feel more relaxed.
The temperature inside your vehicle may quickly rise and become fatal, especially if it is locked. Heatstroke and death can soon follow if the air temperature rises high enough. Opening a window isn’t sufficient; you must also open the door!
Do not keep your dog in the car when it is hot. It will get uncomfortable and might even be dangerous. If you take your dog with you, make sure to only go where dogs are allowed to go too.
This might seem simple, but every year we hear stories of dogs dying or people breaking windows to help a dog in trouble.
Make sure to leave your dog with a friend or family member or at daycare if you have other things to do. It’s never worth putting your pet’s life on the line for a brief shopping trip.
Engage in Water Activities
Try water sports if you want to do something fun and safe outside with your pet. If you take them to the lake and they get a kiddie pool or even play outside with a sprinkler or garden hose.
Doing these activities will cool your dog off. Your whole family can enjoy them too.
Limit sun exposure to small amounts. Provide shade during rest periods. Dogs can get sunburned, but there are few dog sunscreens that are chemical-free.
You can purchase toys for your dog in the summer. These are good because they stay cool, or you can freeze them, or they float.
Serve Cool Treats
A great way to cool your dog is to give them frozen treats. Raw bones are good, too, and popsicles are a tasty snack.
Bones that are entirely thawed or frozen may be fed to your dog. They’re a less harmful option than cooked or smoked bones since they provide a physical and mental workout for your pet’s jaw, as well as hydration. At the same time, they will exercise their jaws, stimulate their minds, and hydrate them.
You can feed raw bones to your dog anytime, but they are even more fun in the summertime. The mess is reduced when you are outside because there is no grass or dirt on the floor. They are also suitable for their teeth because the bones have nutrients in them that help your dog’s teeth.
Raw Bones for Dogs is a way that you can feed your dog. It is suitable for your dog to have a new type of food.
Let Them Play or Stay in Cooler Environments
Where you play with your dog can affect their health. Some surfaces, like pavement, are warmer than others. Walk, run and play with your dog on grass or dirt-covered areas to keep them cooler.
A hot surface can hurt your dog’s paws. When they walk on it, their feet will get burned. They will have less sweat, and it will be hotter for them.
If you walk or run on paved roads, try to protect your dog’s paws. Put waxes and lotions on their paws to protect them. If the weather is freezing or extremely hot, then put boots on them.
When you are looking for boots for your dog, make sure that they do not winter boots. This type of boot is often very warm and does not breathe well.
Check the Weather Before Having an Outdoor Activity
Outside activities should happen when the weather is good. Sunlight and heat can be high in the day, so do these things in the morning or at night. The sun and ground are cooler at dawn and dusk. It’s a great time to let your dog enjoy summer outside!
When it rains, it might not be fun to walk your dog. But when it drizzles, you can take the dog out for fun activities.
Be prepared for the dog park to get muddy. Have some pet wipes or car seat covers in case your dog’s paws are dirty, and you want to take them home.
Some Breeds are More Heat-Tolerant
If it is warm outside, your dog might have trouble. Coat, breathing, and genes can make them feel hot.
We divided some of the most popular breeds into two categories: those that are hot weather approved and those that are not.
Heat-Tolerant Breeds
Dogs that come from warmer and drier climates are better able to handle North American summer temps. Not every dog on our list comes from hot countries, but they are made in a way that helps them regulate their body temperature.
Hot weather doesn’t have a thick undercoat. They are built like runners, but they are muscular.
Some of the most common hot weather dog breeds include:
- Chihuahua
- Greyhounds and Whippets
- Most Terrier Breeds
- Vizsla
- Weimaraner
- Beagles
- Australian Shepherds
- Border Collie
- Doberman Pinschers
- Pointer Breeds
Breeds Intolerant to Hot Weather
In hot weather, dogs with a cold-weather build have difficulties keeping their body temperature steady. Their coats and size may prevent them from lowering their body temperatures.
Some dogs have short noses, which can cause them to have trouble breathing in the summer. These dogs need extra care to avoid overheating.
The following are examples of several popular dog breeds that are prone to heat:
- Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
- Boston Terriers
- Pugs
- Chow Chows
- Pomeranians
- Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes
- Newfoundlanders
- Boxers
- Pekingese
- Overweight dogs
Obesity will make it hard for your dog’s body to regulate its temperature. Even breeds of dogs that are used to the warm weather can get too hot if they are overweight.
Fat dogs should be kept hydrated and cool without restricting physical activity. Sedentary living is the primary cause of dog obesity, so don’t stop encouraging playtime just because it’s hot outside.
Best Practices to Enjoy Summer With Your Dog
The summer months of July and August are the hottest in North America. It’s a great time to get outside, go on vacation, go hiking or camping with your dog, and participate in a variety of outdoor activities.
Dogs can enjoy the outdoors too. But you need to protect them from the heat. You need to think about it before you go outside. You might want to bring water with you or something else that will help your dog stay cool, like a hat or some ice cubes in their bowl of water.
If you are going on a hike or camping, bring extra water with you. A dog backpack can help, too. Plan your route before so that you know where to rest and get out of the sun.
It might be fun to play in the backyard, but make sure your dog stays hydrated. Put a wet vest on your dog to keep it cool and prevent sunburns. Train your dog on how to play in the water and then find different games that you can do with it.
It is summertime, and it is hot. If you want to keep cool and safe, then keep your dog cool too. Stay hydrated and have fun!
You can visit this site to learn more about cooling down a dog.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Cool Down a Dog
You should take your dog to a cooler area when they are overheating. Wet them with cool water, but not cold water since it can be dangerous. Place them in front of the electric fan, so they can dry off and drink some cool (not cold or ice) water.
When the weather is hot, watch your dog for signs of overheating. It will show symptoms like heavy panting, dry gums that are pale, and a fast heartbeat. These are all warning signs. If you see them, call your vet because it could be dangerous to leave them alone any longer.
If your dog has a wet coat, you should cover the coat with water. If you have a towel, soak it in water and put it on the wet coat. Do this before getting them to the vet. This will help lower their body temperature and get them to be better faster.
Dogs pant when they are hot, excited, and energetic. But heavy panting is different, and it could be a sign your dog’s body is overheated. It could also be because of a chronic health problem or life-threatening trauma.
You can use frozen peas to cool your dog’s head if it is hot. You might also place them on its neck or groin to cool the blood vessels there.
The All for Paws Chill Out Ice Bandana is a fantastic way to keep your dog cool during the summer heat. The unique material within the bandana will activate once it’s soaked in water. This icy bandana won’t disappoint your canine companion.
If you know what to do and how to do it, then it will only take 5-10 minutes to cool down your dog.
You need a coolant layer, foam, and a fabric cover. A pillowcase is suitable for small dogs. You can use a sleeping bag or bedding for bigger dogs and cut it to size.
If you have a dog, put ice cubes in a bowl and cover them. You can put it in the shade if you want. Then your dog will be able to play with them. Make sure that your house has cool places for your dog to go to stay cool, like a bathroom with a lovely tile floor.
You can make a cool mat for your dog by placing a wet towel on the floor and putting ice packs around it.
