How to Cool a Dog Down in Hot Weather

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So do you want to know how to cool a dog down in hot weather? Keeping our pets safe and healthy is our job. With the upcoming hot weather and summer days, we must be aware of the dangers that lurk for our dogs.

On the infographic below you can see some of the most common situations that can happen during the hot weather season and tips on how to avoid them 🙂

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how to cool a dog down in hot weather
How to Cool a Dog Down in Hot Weather I Love Veterinary - Blog for Veterinarians, Vet Techs, Students

When the weather gets hot, how do you keep your dog cool?

Have plenty of fresh water available at all times.  

  • Walk your dog in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside.
  • Always keep an eye on how much exercise he’s having and how long he spends outside. If his tongue starts to look like a piece of raw meat, take him inside immediately. This is how heatstroke happens; too much heat and not enough water can kill your dog quickly.
  • Make sure that outdoor areas where your dog plays are well shaded (and not too busy!) to minimize the risk of sunburn if he has light-colored fur (or pink skin). Sun cream designed for babies could be a good idea. Just make sure that it is safe to use on dogs before applying it.
  • If your dog isn’t used to the heat, don’t leave him in the car for any length of time – even with the windows down! This can lead to heatstroke very quickly and you could risk his life by doing this.
  • Some breeds are more at risk from overheating than others – try not to overdo how much exercise he has or how long he spends out in hot weather if he’s one of these breeds. Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Pugs, and Shih Tzus can be particularly prone to breathing difficulties when they get too hot because their short noses mean that they have limited airflow when they’re breathing heavily.
  • Make sure that you’re aware of how much sunscreen is safe to put on your dog and how often it needs to be reapplied. If his fur has been dyed a particular color, do not use sunscreen at all or check with the manufacturer first to see if it’s ok for this type of dye.
  • Don’t shave him during hot weather. He’ll keep cool naturally without having too much fur!
  • You can also get special cooling mats for dogs which are filled with water and kept in the fridge until needed – but make sure they don’t leak onto anything he sleeps on! The cold from the mat will help him feel cooler through contact with his skin and you could end up saving a life by giving one of these mats to him.

How do Cooling Products for Dogs Work?

pug in pool lying on pizza shaped floatation device

There are also plenty of products available which you can spray on his coat to help cool him down. But how do they work?

Some of them contain an ingredient called propylene glycol (or propanediol) which is a common food additive and is generally safe for pets – but it’s best to check with your vet first if you’re worried about using this sort of product on your dog.

Propylene glycol works as a sort of anti-freeze by lowering how much electricity it takes for the body to lower its temperature; this means that the heart doesn’t have to pump blood through arteries as fast, giving your dog’s muscles more time to work without quickly overworking.

This means that it doesn’t take as much effort from the heart to pump blood around the body and he’s able to cool down more quickly.

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