August 27, 2024

Hot Dog? 5 Effective Ways to Cool Down a Dog

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Summer may be coming to an end soon, but in many areas, it's hotter than ever. We are all trying to find easy ways to keep cool and prepare for the next onslaught of record-breaking temperatures.

But this doesn’t just apply to us, the humans in the room. It also applies to our dogs. Our four-legged friends are especially prone to overheating, so learning how to cool down a dog is critical as a pet owner.

If you’ve ever been worried about your pup in summer, here’s a rundown of what signs to look out for, plus a few easy ways to cool them down.

Signs Your Dog is Overheating

exhausted french bulldog passed out on the concrete

How hot is too hot? According to the American Kennel Club, most dogs are okay to spend a few hours outside when temperatures are between 60ºF and 90ºF. But once temperatures hit 90ºF and above, you’ll want to keep their outdoor excursions brief, at most 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

At this point, dogs can no longer effectively cool themselves down. Covered in hair and unable to sweat, dogs rapidly overheat. This isn’t just an uncomfortable situation for our furry family members; if not addressed, it can quickly become dangerous.

If a heat wave has descended where you live, here are a few key signs to watch for that indicate your dog may be overheating:

Excessive panting: This is often one of the first and most obvious signs. Dogs pant to cool themselves, but excessive, rapid panting that doesn’t stop after a few minutes shows us they're struggling to regulate their internal temperature. Pay particular attention to brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds, who are especially susceptible.
Drooling: Drooling isn’t always a problem, but excessive or unusual drooling can indicate that they are suffering from heatstroke.
Changes to gum color: Bright red, gray, purple, or bluish gums can indicate heat stress.
Elevated body temperature: A dog's normal average internal temperature is around 101 to 102.5°F. Anything above 103°F could be a concerning symptom, especially in a heat wave.
Lethargy or weakness: An overheated dog may appear more tired than usual, have trouble standing, or seem uninterested in normal activities.
Disorientation: Dogs may seem confused, stumble, or have trouble walking in a straight line.
Seeking cool spots: A dog trying to cool down may look for shade, dig a shallow hole, or seek cool surfaces to lie on.
Vomiting or diarrhea: These can be signs of severe heat stress and may indicate heat stroke.
Collapsing or seizures: In extreme cases, an overheated dog may collapse or have seizures.

If it's hot out and you notice your dog is showing one or more of these signs, it's crucial to take immediate action to cool your dog down. In the case of the more serious symptoms, like disorientation, vomiting, or collapse, seek immediate veterinary care.

How To Cool Down Your Dog

If you have dogs, you’ve likely already worried about some of the most common symptoms, like excessive panting and drooling.

How do you safely cool down a panting dog without stressing them out further and throwing them into a state of shock? Here are our top tips for your hot dogs this summer

Bring Them Inside and Out of the Heat

puppy indoors enjoying the breeze of a fan

When outside temperatures hit 90ºF, the most important step is to bring your dogs inside to a cooler environment. Even if they have plenty of water and a shady spot to hang out, they can still overheat with prolonged exposure to these temperatures.

Provide Clean, Cold Water

dog drinking cold water from his silver water bowl

Second only to getting your pets out of the elements is ensuring there is cold, clean water ready. Although they may not immediately start lapping it up to keep hydrated, you’ll want to make sure the water is always readily available. Do not force them to drink, which may cause even more stress.

Cooling Paw and Belly Baths

Although we may think it's a good idea to douse our four-legged friend in super-cold water or throw them in a pool, this drastic temperature change may send them into a state of shock.

A safer way to help a dog cool down its internal temperature is to use a cool damp cloth. Rather than dumping water everywhere, gently wipe it over targeted areas, like the neck, belly, armpits, and paws. Do not use ice water, as this may be too much of a shock to their system. Instead, use cool water to prevent shock.

DIY Cooling Pet Treats

Another great option to safely reduce a dog's core temperature is to keep a container of cooling pet treats in your freezer.

Whatever your pup’s favorite flavor is, you can easily throw it in an ice cube tray and make it into an ultra-affordable, easy DIY cooling treat. Think frozen pureed carrots, watermelon juice, chicken or beef broth, or canned pumpkin.

You may even find that your dog doesn’t care about anything fancy — a plain old ice cube may do the trick!

Cooling Pads

Not all of us are lucky enough to live in an air-conditioned home, but you can still create a safe environment for your pets with cooling pads. There are a ton of cheap options available on Amazon, including a few that use a specialized gel for ongoing cooling relief — without a plug-in.

You can also get the same effect by wrapping ice packs in towels or an older blanket and making a comfortable nest for your dog. Just ensure the frozen components are fully covered by the towels to avoid direct contact between the pack and the pup.

Does Your Dog Need To Cool Down or Calm Down?

This summer, make sure your pets stay cool by keeping a stash of frozen dog treats in your freezer, having a cooling mat at the ready, and monitoring for signs of heat stress.

Then, keep everyone in your household calm with chilled-out CBD treats. Hometown Hero's Calming CBD Dog Treats in hard-to-resist peanut butter and chicken dinner flavors contain a precise 20-milligram serving of hemp-derived, full-spectrum CBD. Safe and irresistible, these little nuggets of joy help your dog relax and feel good, no matter the temperature outside.

Until next time, keep cool and Mind Your Mind!

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