The SF Bay area is experiencing a major heat wave this summer! This article recommends some tips for quickly cooling your dog and products that will keep it cool longer.
Learn to recognize signs of overheating.
First, let’s quickly overview the signs of your dog overheating. During hot summer days, dogs that exercise too much or cannot regulate their body heat can get heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Our dogs try to regulate their body temperature by panting, sweating through their paws, and lying on a cool surface.
Early signs of overheating:
- If panting becomes too heavy and the tongue sticks out completely, that’s the first sign your dog is trying to fight the overheating. Please bring your dog to a cool place and stop the exercise.
Concerning signs: animal is overheated!
- If your dog flops to the floor, become weak or refuses to get up, this is another sign of overheating. Please cool your dog down using the tips below!
Dangerours signs: heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke
- Seizures, dazed and disoriented, vomiting or diarrhea, the dog is unconscious – in this case, please head to an emergency vet clinic right now!
Do this to cool your dog down quickly
Offer plenty of fresh water.
- If your dog doesn’t like drinking from the communal bowl, carry a portable bowl or a doggy drinking bottle with you.
- Don’t add ice to the water; rapid temperature change may not benefit them.
Bring your dog to a cool place
- Take them inside the house and turn on A/C or a fan
- Put your dog in a car and blast A/C
- If you are in nature, bring your dog to a shade under a big tree or let them stand in a body of water.
Let them stand in the water or go for a swim.
- Dogs sweat through their paws, so standing in water helps them cool down.
- If you can offer your dog a place to swim, that can also cool them down.
Hose them with cold water or apply an ice pack
- If applying ice packs, don’t keep them longer than 15 min
- Please, no ice bath for dogs!
Wear a cooling vest
There are products that are made to keep your dog’s body cool when hiking or exercising.
The best cooling vests use evaporative cooling. You soak the vest in water (or wet it with a water bottle), and as the water evaporates, it draws heat away from your dog’s body.
The cheaper vests are more simplistic (less techno layers) and require constant reapplying of water, while the better ones can work for a few hours without adding more water.
RUFFWEAR Swamp Cooler Cooling Dog Vest
The cooling effect lasts for hours and is one of the best in the North American market.
Price: 70$
Sizes: XS – XL
HURTTA Cooling Wrap
Shorter vest, so for less coverage for a longer torso dog.
Price: 45-70$
Sizes: XXS – XL
EASIDRI Cooling Dog CoatCooling Wrap
Very good coverage.
Price: 60-70$
Sizes: XS – XL
KURGO Dog Core Cooling Jacket
Thinner than other options, it may not last as long, and you would need to reapply water, but it is still a good option.
Price: 50-60$
Sizes: S – XL
If you want to learn more about different cooling vests and how they work, check out this techy product review by doggearreview.com
Try cooling mats
A cooling mat can be a great option for your backyard, at home, or while camping with your dog. These pads provide a cooler spot for your dog to lay on.
Cooling mats are made from gel or foam with cooling properties. They work by absorbing and dissipating heat. Some of them come with an ice sheet that you can freeze beforehand.
COOLER DOG Hydro Cooling Mat
Comes with an ice sheet.
Price: 50$
Sizes: Single mat – 18″W x 23″L x 1.25″H (several mats can be attached into one)
COLEMAN Comfort Cooling Gel Pad
Gel Pad that stays 5-10 Degrees cooler than room temperature. No refrigeration is needed; it is weight-activated.
Price: 20-40$
Sizes: Small, Large
K&H Pet Products Cool Water Bed
Cooling bed without gel. It works by adding water.
Price: 30-60$
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Affiliate Disclosure: Links to some products are affiliate links and help the author of this article earn commissions from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to the buyer. This doesn’t affect the choice of dog-related products or opinion about them.