- Use tap water (luke warm, not hot or ice cold) to douse the dog. …
- While dousing the dog with water, set a fan to blow on the dog.
- Move the dog to shade or A/C.
- DO NOT make the dog drink water. …
- Continue all cool down attempts until the panting stops.
Krystn is a passionate pet nutrition enthusiast. She has over ten years of experience in the pet industry and enjoys spreading her enthusiasm for animal welfare to others. She adores all animals, but her four adorable but disobedient cats are currently giving her crazy cat lady vibes.
Offer your dog a tasty frozen treat
My husband always has a popsicle in his mouth when it’s warm outside; it’s his go-to method of keeping cool in the summer heat.
Additionally, giving your dog a popsicle will help him cool off.
But human popsicles are not suitable for dogs. They have a lot of sugar and frequently include xylitol or preservatives.
Make your own popsicles for your dog if you want to ensure its safety and well-being.
Fortunately, creating popsicles for dogs is darn simple. All you’ll need is a silicone ice-cube tray.
Wait for your ice tray to freeze after adding low-sodium chicken broth or pumpkin puree to it. Now that your dog is eating a delicious frozen treat, he will stay cool.
You can get really creative with recipes. For a creamier treat, for instance, combine yogurt and peanut butter. Online, there are a huge variety of dog popsicle recipes to choose from.
Me? I’m more of an ice-cream girl. When I start eating a tub of Cookies and Cream ice cream, I won’t stop until I’ve finished it.
That’s why I was thrilled to learn that my dog could enjoy the same frozen treat that I do.
Our pup loves the Puppy Scoops Ice-cream Mix it with water, throw it in your freezer and you’ll be reward with a fluffy dog-safe ice-cream – Maple Bacon is our pup’s favorite flavor!
Cool your dog with a damp towel
Typically, a towel would be used to dry your dog off. But you’re going to do the opposite to chill your hot dog.
The ideal method for cooling a hot dog is a damp towel.
For larger dogs you’ll want to grab a bath towel. For smaller pups, a dish towel will do.
Soak the towel in cool water until it’s saturated. Next, squeeze out any remaining water to prevent the wet towel from dripping all over your dog and the floor.
You should now apply the damp towel to your dog. Particularly, his inner thighs, underbelly, or neck will quickly cool your dog off.
You don’t want water puddles on your floor, so when drying your dog inside, be sure to ring out any excess water.
Don’t want your good bath towels smelling like wet dog?
Buy your dog his own towel!
I use these microfiber towels to dry my dog. In addition to being extremely absorbent, they also dry more quickly than a conventional cotton towel.
Important: If it’s too hot for you or your pet, it probably is. Some days are best spent indoors by an air conditioner. On those days just rent a movie and chill. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and impending heat stroke. If your dog exhibits any overheating symptoms, cool him down gradually and take him to the vet. Remember to never leave a dog in a parked car. Click here to learn just how hot it can get.
Instead, slow down your dog’s entry into the water by reminding him that his feet assist in controlling body temperature. For a while, allow him to stand in cold water with only his feet submerged; ideally, keep an eye on his temperature with a thermometer. Stop aggressively cooling your pet when the rectal temperature reaches 103°F.
Boy it’s hot, you think to yourself as you sit in the shade drinking an iced tea and your dog beseeches you. You are probably aware of your dog’s discomfort as well as the fact that it is obvious that your dog is hot. What can you do to provide your dog with comfort and safeguard him against potentially fatal heatstroke?
If you don’t have access to a lake or pool, you could set up a small kiddie pool on a patio so your dog could just stand in the water. Dogs can release heat through their foot pads, which are also one of the few places where they perspire.
2. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a lake or have a pool, you might be tempted to take your dog swimming. However, you should exercise caution. If your dog is too hot, that seems like a logical solution, but use caution. It could possibly make things worse if your dog is extremely hot or on the verge of heat stroke. If you cool your dog’s skin and surface temperature too quickly, his internal organs may continue to heat up and the core of his body may become even more overheated.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to cool down a dog?
Allowing your dog to cool off in a body of fresh water, such as a lake or kiddie pool, depends on where you are. If not, you can assist him by using towels or cool, wet cloths. You can also lightly mist his ears and paw pads with cool water. Place your cool wet cloths on his neck, armpits, and in the space in between his hind legs.
How do you cool down an overheated dog?
- Immediately take your dog to a cooler area.
- To avoid danger from rapid cooling, wet your pet with cool water rather than cold water.
- To dry off, position your pet in front of a fan.
- Give your pet cool (not ice-cold) water to drink as they continue to cool.
Does wetting a dog cool it down?
Wet your dog’s coat or cover him with a towel that has been soaked in cool water but not ice. This is an essential step in cooling down a dog experiencing heatstroke before bringing them to the veterinarian because it will significantly help in lowering body temperature.
How do you tell if a dog is overheated?
Signs Your Dog Is Overheating Frenetic panting, excessive salivation, bright-red membranes, and labored breathing are obvious indicators that your dog is overheating. If his temperature rises to over 106 degrees Fahrenheit and he is unable to cool himself, this could quickly lead to a metabolic meltdown.