Knowing how to keep your dog cool in the heat isn’t always obvious.

We are all feeling the heat of the Summer sun, especially our canine friends.

If you don’t already know how to keep your dog cool in the heat, I have a few tips that might just help.

Keep My Dog Cool Tips

• Do not leave your dog in a car for any period of time. There really shouldn’t be any need for this generally, especially in summer when they have no air source
• Only take your dog for a walk early morning or later on at night. As the sun’s rays increase the temperature of the pavement can cause burns and painful pads. No dog has ever died from missing 1 walk, something to think about in comparison to the amount of heat-related deaths in dogs
• Walk only on grass areas where possible. You might find early morning shaded areas where the grass is still slightly damp too. This is especially helpful to intermittently cool off your dog’s pads
• If they have long fur or require grooming as general maintenance of their coat, go slightly shorter on their trim this time. Their fur does also offer protection against UV rays so not too short, as sunburn can also be painful and damaging. You might find your dog rolling in dust or dirt this is a natural way they try and cool down their bodies
• Pamper your dogs with wet towels. This will help them cool down and stay cooler for longer by leaving their coats slightly damp
• Make some dog friendly ice treats for them to crunch on. Frozen apple slices is a favourite of my dogs and they do like to play with an ice cube from time to time too
• Ensure they have an ample supply of fresh clean water. Kept it in a non-metallic bowl and in the shade away from direct sunlight

Cooling your dog down

You will notice that your furry friend will be panting more. This is to help circulate air through their bodies to help them cool down

Dogs can not sweat through their skin like humans do, they sweat through their pads. Extreme and increased panting can also be a sign of heat stroke so something to keep an eye on

Lots of dogs do like to lay in the sun when they can but typically know their own limits, and will seek the shade when they need to. Ensure there are places for them to keep cool and keep out of the sun for when they need it

Can my dog catch a cold?

Although the common cold is a natural part of life for humans, it can also affect your pet if you cough and sneeze in the same way. Unfortunately, the virus that can affect humans is species-specific, and it can only be transmitted to humans.
When the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, most dogs become more vulnerable to the cold, which has the same symptoms. Many of them will spend most of their time indoors as they love being warm and cosy. If you have a breed like a Bernedoodle, it’s important to follow bernedoodle health tips, especially during colder months. Ensuring they stay warm and cozy indoors can help keep them healthy and happy.

Extra Measures

There are some products you can use to keep your dog cool, such as a self cooling mat

This is a bed for them to lay on which is filled with a non-toxic gel, which is 5-10 degrees lower than the room temperature

As you can see Bonny is thoroughly enjoying her cooling mat

There are also cooling vests, which you can soak in water and put on your dog to help keep them wet, therefore cooler for longer

You can also consider buying your pets their own paddling pool for the garden

Consider all animals in the extreme heat, it is not so easy for them to make themselves a cold drink and head inside to the sofa

I have various other tips to help with your pets

Remember when it is in excess of 20 celsius consider whether it is too hot for your dog

Different breeds have different tolerances, due to coat length and physical shape

As such as we like to include our dogs in our daily outings to enjoy the sun, consider whether it is actually too hot for them to be involved. Leaving them at home could sometimes be the better option for them

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