Dog and Heat: How to Provide Cooling for Your Four-Legged Friend in Summer?

By Molly Harris
Published on 11/29/2023
Reviewed by Dr. Stepahanie Porter

Why is Heat a Problem for Dogs?

Dogs don’t sweat like humans. They lack the necessary sweat glands on their skin responsible for evaporating sweat and providing cooling. Only in areas like the nose, tongue, and paw pads do dogs have the ability to cool themselves. This puts dogs at risk of overheating quickly and experiencing heatstroke.

Fortunately, there are various ways to help your dog cool down! We’ll show you the best tips for cooling your four-legged friend.

How Much Heat Can Dogs Tolerate?

In general, this question cannot be answered definitively. Depending on size and breed, dogs tolerate heat differently. However, temperatures above 80,6°F (27°C) can be dangerous for any dog.

The following factors make heat a problem for dogs:

Overweight: If a dog carries too much weight, it strains its cardiovascular system. Heat does the same. Therefore, overweight animals suffer more quickly in high temperatures.
Short Snout: Sweat glands in dogs are located on the paws and nasal mirror. Due to their short snouts, breeds like pugs, boxers, and others have fewer of these glands compared to other dogs. They struggle to cool down in heat and, as a result, may suffer more.
Puppy or Senior: Due to their physical constitution, puppies and older dogs often do not tolerate heat well.
High Humidity: High humidity makes it difficult for dogs to cool down.
Dense, Long Fur: Breeds with a lot of fur also struggle in the heat. Thick fur tends to warm them rather than protect them from the heat.

If your dog has an issue with heat, you can recognize it by its behavior. Here are typical signs:

Your dog breathes quickly in the heat, even when inactive.
It seems lethargic and has no desire to move.
It tries to cool down repeatedly, for example, by seeking cool spots like tiled floors.

What Should Be Considered in Heat Generally?

Adequate Hydration:

Water! Water intake is important not only for us humans but also for your dog. Always make sure to have enough water available, both at home and on the go. If you’re out and about and take your four-legged friend to a coffee date, ask the server if they can provide a small bowl of water for your dog.

Raise the Cups!

On average, a dog should consume 40 to 50 milliliters of water per kilogram (2,2 lbs) of body weight. The higher the outside temperatures, the higher the water requirement, reaching 100 to 150 milliliters of water per kilo (2,2 lbs).

Good Coat Care:

Proper coat care is immensely important in high temperatures. Some dog breeds need regular grooming. However, never shave your dog completely, as it exposes the skin directly to UV radiation. On the other hand, some breeds do not require shaving but may benefit from trimming their fur. This ensures that loose hair doesn’t hinder the cooling and insulation process. Additionally, brush your dog regularly in the summer to prevent excess fur from warming it more than necessary.

Tip: Get a dog groomer to help! They are professionals and know exactly how to handle your dog’s fur to provide the right protection against heat and sun.

Refreshing Through Food

You can also do a lot to make your dog’s life as comfortable as possible during the warm season with the help of food and feeding tricks. For example, you can mix dry food with water. This way, your pet gets some fluid intake while eating.

Moist food toppings are particularly popular with dogs. They add variety to the bowl, provide moisture, and taste delicious. For this, you can, for example, cook carrots and potatoes, then puree them with a little water and add them to dry food. Also, feel free to be inspired by our seasonal calendars for dog and owner for seasonal and regional topping recipes.

Note

Once you’ve prepared a tasty food topping for your furry friend, remember to reduce the portion of the main food accordingly.

Refreshing Treats for Summer:

Just like us, our four-legged friends enjoy a delicious ice cream now and then. You can find out how to prepare tasty DIY ice cream for dogs in our corresponding guide “Making Dog Ice Cream.” Here’s a basic recipe for dog ice cream:

Ingredients:

50 g oats
50 g dry food (ideally their favorite Green Petfood variety)
25 ml coconut oil
50 g carrots
100 ml coconut milk (optional: water)

Preparation:

Mix the oats with the dry food.
Cut the carrot into smaller pieces (or use it as an “ice cream stick”).
Add the coconut milk or water and coconut oil, and blend everything until smooth.
Fill the mixture into containers of your choice and place them in the freezer.
Once the ice is frozen, your dog can enjoy it.

You can modify the recipe as you like, replacing carrots with apples, blueberries, or zucchini, for example. However, find out which ingredients you should avoid in both dog ice cream and food toppings because they are toxic to dogs in our guide “What Dogs Must Not Eat.”

Relax Instead of Strain:

Avoid strenuous physical activities like cycling, extended and extreme play with other dogs, or sports like agility. Intense exercise increases your dog’s body temperature, which can severely strain its cardiovascular system in the heat. During the day, when the sun is high in the sky, it’s better to rest. You can schedule activities for the morning or evening.

Tips for Cooling Indoors

Your dog instinctively looks for cool places to lie down. To make it easier for your four-legged friend, you can prepare cool and shady retreats in your home and garden. For example, you could darken the bedroom so that your dog can retreat there during intense heat.

Self-cooling mats are a wonderful tool. They react to body heat and become cold as soon as your dog lies on them. Some cooling mats need to be pre-cooled, so be mindful if you’re considering purchasing one. An alternative to the cooling mat is the cooling vest. Some are filled with water, while others work with the dog’s body moisture. Cooling is achieved through evaporation and heat reflection.

Cooling with Home Remedies

You can also provide your dog with temporary cooling using a wet towel or shirt. Alternatively, cool a bottle of water in the refrigerator, wrap it in a towel, and place it in your dog’s bed. This is not only helpful for your furry friend but also more sustainable than a cooling mat or vest. However, it’s essential to ensure that you don’t cool your dog excessively during all these cooling measures.

Tips for Cooling Down Outdoors

Avoid walking your dog at noon or in the afternoon. In summer, it’s advisable to shift walks to the morning and evening. Dogs with thick undercoats and older animals, in particular, suffer in the midday heat. Before your walk, lightly moisten your dog’s legs and belly. This cools your dog’s limbs and makes the walk even more enjoyable.

Keep the walks short but frequent. Instead of going on long walks with your dog in the heat, it’s better to take shorter walks more often. Extended walks in the heat can strain your dog’s circulatory system. If a longer walk is unavoidable, take sufficient breaks – preferably in the shade – and have enough water with you.

Embark on a Forest Hike

The trees and thickets block sunlight, making it generally cooler in the forest than on an open dog field.

The best way to cool down is, of course, to take a dip in the cold water! Take your dog to a quiet swimming spot or a dog-friendly beach and let your furry friend swim a few rounds in the lake. If you have a garden, you can delight your dog by spraying him with the hose! The good old water bucket works just as well. Surely, you’re familiar with those small inflatable pools for kids? You can use them as a pool for your dog as well if you have enough space. Believe us: Your dog will love it!

Beware of Blue-Green Algae!

Before allowing your dog to jump into the cool water, pay attention to warnings at the lake. However, not all existing signs are up-to-date and indicate the presence of blue-green algae. Therefore, examine the water closely. If you notice bluish-green streaks on the water surface, it’s better to find another lake for swimming. Once your dog has blue-green algae in its fur and licks them off, it can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and even weakness and seizures.

No Dog Paws on Hot Asphalt:

Asphalted sidewalks and roads heat up in the heat. Therefore, in summer, prefer unpaved paths when walking your dog. Otherwise, your dog may burn its paws on the hot surface. You can check if a path is too hot by placing the back of your hand on it for 7 seconds. If it becomes uncomfortable for you during this time, the ground is also too hot for your dog’s paws.

Paw Care in Summer:

If, despite all precautions, your dog’s paws get too much heat, treat them to a paw massage with a homemade DIY paw balm.

Can I leave my dog in the car in summer?

Short and simple: no! Never leave your dog alone in the car in warm temperatures! Your car only needs to stand for 15 minutes in the parking lot for the temperature inside to rise to more than 104°F (40°C). The longer it stands, the more life-threatening the situation becomes for your dog if you leave it in the car.

Anyone who believes that leaving the car window slightly open is enough to prevent heat development is mistaken. Even a slightly opened car window cannot ensure sufficient air circulation. A shaded parking space also does not prevent heating because, even without direct sunlight, the interior of the car warms up quickly. When the sun moves, the car may be exposed to direct sunlight within minutes, even without you noticing.

Also, avoid long car rides, as they are not good for the dog’s circulation. Sun exposure, stuffy air, little water, few breaks – all these factors speak against long journeys with the dog in the car. Especially if there is no working air conditioning and sufficient sun protection. Plan your routes and divide them into smaller sections and trips with many breaks.

How do I recognize heatstroke in my dog?

You might wonder: What is heatstroke anyway? The answer: When a dog’s body temperature rises above its normal value of 101,3°F (38.5°C) due to heat, it is considered a fever. If it exceeds 104,9°F (40.5°C), a dog can experience heatstroke. It usually occurs when the high ambient temperature exceeds the dog’s ability to cool itself – in summer, for example, even after a few minutes in a parked car.

How severe a heatstroke is depends on the level of body temperature and the duration the dog has been exposed to the heat.

Here are signs of heatstroke in your dog:

Heavy panting or rapid shallow breathing.
Deep red tongue.
Rapid heartbeat.
Glassy look or sunken eyes.
Pale mucous membranes.
Elevated body temperature.
Unsteady gait or severe exhaustion.
Impaired consciousness.

What to do if my dog has heatstroke?

The key is to cool down! As quickly as possible. Get out of the sun and into the cool. Place cold, wet towels or ice packs on your dog’s legs, arms, and neck. This helps your dog lower its body temperature. Put it in a basin or tub with cold water and make sure it drinks a lot. In an emergency, consult a veterinarian.

Expert tip:

If your dog has heatstroke and you’re trying to cool it down, measure its body temperature at specific intervals. This way, you can ensure that it is actually decreasing. If it does not drop below 103,1°F (39.5°C), please seek veterinary attention immediately. Because then a severe heatstroke is likely, and your dog urgently needs medication, oxygen, and fluids.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cooling down is essential during the summer. Your dog heavily relies on your assistance in intense heat since it cannot regulate its body temperature through sweating. Panting and the insulation provided by its fur and skin are its only means. With our tips, you can support your beloved furry friend through the hot summer! Always shield your four-legged companion adequately from the sun and ensure an ample supply of water to prevent it from suffering heatstroke. Organize water battles or let it jump into a nearby lake. However, amidst all the water fun, don’t forget that your dog shouldn’t cool down excessively to avoid illness.