Keep your Dog Cool in Hot Summer Weather

5 Ways to Cool a Hot Dog

A dog in hot weather is no different from you. He will suffer from the heat if you don’t provide him with a way to get cool.  Dogs don’t sweat like you, and the only way they can cool down naturally is by panting.

Dogs who are cold weather dogs, like the Bernese Mountain dog, suffer the most.  But, that doesn’t mean that your dog isn’t uncomfortable.

When the weather turns hot, it can even be too hot to walk your dog.  Hot pavements can burn your pet’s paws, and the simple exertion of walking can be too much for a hot dog. Dogs, just like people can suffer from heat exhaustion or even have a heat stroke.

In fact, there are special boots made for dogs to protect their feet from hot pavements.  But, in some areas, even this kind of protection is not enough.  Cement and macadam can reach extremely high temperatures, and this is definitely a safety hazard, even with paw protection.

What can you do for a Dog in Hot Weather?

Well, for many, the first thought is shaving your dog to get rid of all that hot hair.  But, that is not a good idea.  The reason is that, shaving your dog actually makes her hotter.  Leaving some hair actually insulates your dog from the heat.

In addition, shaving a dog makes him more likely to get sunburned if he is outside for any length of time.

5 Best Tips for Dogs in Hot Weather

 Keep your dog in the shade

When you are hot, you naturally look for a shady spot.  On a sunny day, the shade can be 10 degrees or more degrees cooler than when you are in the sun.

Your dog feels the difference, too.  Dogs will naturally seek the shade.  A little dog will lie down under a chair or bush and a large dog will find a spot under a tree.

If your yard does not provide shade, you can create a shady spot with a raised bed with a canopy or awning.

The raised bed allows air to circulate all around your pet, keeps your dog off the hot ground, and the canopy does not trap hot air like a tent.  It allows a breeze, which helps with cooling.

You can even take this bed with you if you go to a park or a friend’s home.  It can be used indoors or outdoors.  And, it’s a great way to include your dog, when otherwise he’d have to stay home.

When the weather turns hot and you want to include your dog in outdoor activities like a backyard picnic, consider a raised bed with a cover to shade your dog.

Cool your Dog in Water

If you live near a beach that allows dogs, taking your dog for a swim will be fun for both of you on a hot day.

But, we don’t all have the luxury of living near a beach.  So, the next best thing is a dog pool for your dog.  Cool water in a pool will definitely cool a hot dog.

When selecting a dog pool, keep these things in mind:

1. Monitor the temperature of the water.  If the weather is really hot, the water in a pool can heat rapidly.  A pool with hot water doesn’t help your dog get cool.
2. Change the water frequently.  Changing the water helps keep the water cool, and it also discourages pests like mosquitoes and frogs from making a home in your pool.
3. Choose the right size for your dog.  Water is very heavy, and it is scarce in many parts of the country.  Choosing the right size pool will help you save water.  And, if you have to move the pool, you won’t move a heavier pool than necessary.
4. Pick a pool that is tough enough for your dog.  Kiddie pools for children are not made to resist a dog’s sharp nails.  Make sure the dog pool you choose, is made to withstand heavy use.

Cooling Mat for your Hot Dog

Many dogs like to lie on something cool.  You may have noticed that your dog will seek out a cool surface to lie on.  It could be a tile floor or bricks or slate on a shady patio.

So, a cooling mat simply takes your dog’s instincts to the next level.  And you can take this cooling device anywhere you go—camping in an RV, to a motel, in your car, or your yard.  Or, just use it in your home, in your dog’s bed or crate, or on the floor.

This cooling mat contains a solid gel that recharges after 3 hours of cooling your pet.  The recharging takes 15 to 20 minutes and then starts cooling your dog again.

The best thing about this cooling mat is that you can use it anywhere.

You don’t need water, electricity, refrigeration or batteries to make it work.  It’s just like magic!

Cool your dog with a Pet Haven Cool Bowl

As you may know, dogs don’t sweat like we do.  They do not have the same mechanism to keep cool that your body has.  So, they rely on panting, which acts like a heat exchanger for them.  As you may have guessed, this isn’t too efficient.

So we can help them along by providing cool water.  The cool water will make your dog’s natural cooling system become more efficient at cooling him.

The Pet Haven bowl leads the market with its pet friendly design.  Made of stainless steel, it has a double wall which insulates and keeps water cool for most of the day, even in hot weather.

The stainless steel is easy to clean and can even be washed in your dishwasher.

Perhaps the best feature for many of us is the bowl’s balanced heavy weight and non-skid bottom.  If you have a dog that likes to flip his bowls or knock them all over the room, the Pet Haven bowl can solve your problem.

SGODA Cooling Vest for Dogs in Hot Weather

It seems counter-intuitive to put a vest on your dog in hot weather.  But, the SGODA cooling vest is, well,  surprisingly cooling on a hot day.

The vest has 3 layers that actually help to cool your dog.  They wick the water away from your dog and a cotton layer gives the vest a soft feeling for your pet.

Despite being 3 layers, the vest is light weight, and it reflects the heat.  It also gives your dog UV protection and protects her from sunburn, even if you have her hair cut short.

And you can still take walks together, because the vest has a D ring attachment for your dog’s leash.

Here’s how it works.  You soak the vest in cool water, wring it out, and then put it on your dog.  Repeat the process, if the vest dries out.

If your dog loves to be outside and go places with you, the SGODA vest may be key to making that happen when the weather turns hot.

So, of course it is important to help your dog stay cool during hot weather.  With these common sense ideas, you can still enjoy time together with your pet, no matter how hot it gets.