Keep your dog cool this summer

Dogs enjoy the sun, but can easily overheat

Dogs do not tolerate heat as well as people do so dog owners need to take steps to help their pets stay cool. There are a number of pet products available to make this easier:

 Portable fans: Hanging fans designed to hang on hard sided crates can be easily hooked on a crate door so they will circulate air inside the crate. Some of these fans have an attachment that can be frozen to create an even cooler breeze. This can be especially welcome if your dog’s crate is in the back of a vehicle or surrounded by luggage so air flow from the vehicle’s ventilation or air conditioning system is restricted. Small fans that have a stand to prop them up next to soft sided crates or dog beds are also available. 

 Shade Tarps: If you are leaving your dog in a car crated  with the windows or hatch open, the sun can still cause the vehicle to get dangerously hot. Mesh screens or shade tarps which come in dark green or black nylon and reflective silver fabric can greatly reduce the heat inside a vehicle. Make sure you purchase clips or bungees to attach the screen to your vehicle as well.

 Cooling Coats: For short and medium coated breeds a fitted dog coat made of micro fiber chamois or terry cloth can be kept in a cooler or refrigerator then taken out to o cool a dog quickly.  Coats filled with crystals that turn into a cooling gel when wet are also available. Cooling coats are great for dogs competing or playing outdoors in hot weather; they can be removed while the dog is active and put in a cooler, then quickly reapplied when the dog is ready to relax. 

Cooling Mats: A number of cooling crate mat products are available, some contain a crystal that turn into a gel when wet that keeps the mat cool and damp for an extended period of time, others contain water or gels sealed in a thick plastic cover.  The sealed mats are a good choice for coated dogs that can’t be wetted down without fear of dampness causing matted coats or skin issues. As with any type of dog bed, you need to know your dog - don't leave your dog unattended with bedding that they might rip up or chew.  Most cooling mats are filled with non-toxic substances but they can be quite messy if torn open and ingesting a plastic or fabric cover can be dangerous.

 Water and Ice: Many dogs enjoy ice cubes and if you want to get fancy about it, you can purchase ice cube trays that make bone shaped cubes or freeze treats in a block of ice. Ice can help cool a hot dog, but be cautious about offering ice to a dog that has been exercising, as the rapid cooling can cause shock to their system. Generally speaking cool water, not ice is best for a dog that is overheated. It is also a good idea to keep a spray bottle with fresh water in your cooler so you can apply a cool mist; spray bottles sold for sunbathers with a fan attached are great for dogs, too!