We all like to spoil our pups. It’s a fact of nature. But sometimes we spoil our pups by letting them run wild on a hot day or taking them on a good long hike. And that’s a recipe for an overheated pooch.
If you start to notice that your dog is panting excessively, acting dizzy or disoriented, drooling more than usual, or showing other signs of heat stroke, you’ll want to take action. It’s time to cool down that dog. If you don’t know how to cool your dog down now that they’re overheated, never fear. We’ve got all the steps covered here, plus a few products you can use along the way.
A great place to start when it comes to keeping your dog cool is water. If you’re near a river or lake, let them splash around. If you’re at home you can pull out the hose to cool them down. But a little bit of water is a great way to kickstart the cool.
Speaking of water
Don’t forget to make sure your dog gets some water to drink. Dogs pant a lot when they’re overheated, and they can lose quite a bit of moisture. I like to keep these on the go water bowls with me when I take my dog out, so that no matter where I am I know that I can keep my dog hydrated.
Another great way to get your dog cooled down is to make sure they’ve got good air flow. If you’re in a car you can put the windows down to give a great breeze. But if you’re not somewhere with perfect air flow, you can create your own.
Crate fan
This crate fan is one of my favorite options. It can clip directly onto your dog’s crate, so that no matter what’s going on they’ve got a cool breeze. Plus with a little bit of creative use, you can clip it almost anywhere you go.
Of course you don’t need a custom fan to get a breeze going, so in a pinch any fan can do. I like to pair a fan with a cooling pad or bed to get the most effective combo.
Raised bed
This raised bed is one of my favorites if my dog is getting overheated. Because it’s lifted off the ground, air can flow under the dog and help cool them down on all sides. Adding a fan low to the ground helps to keep the air moving under the pooch and gives them quick relief.
Not every cooling bed relies on being raised off the floor. Manufacturers have spent a lot of time creating fabrics and beds that help keep a pup cool.
Cooling fabric
This dog bed has a fabric that draws the heat out of your dog, and it’s comfy to boot. Some reviewers even said they bought it for themselves, which is a pretty solid recommendation in my book.
Many of these solutions work if your dog is overheated and ready to chill out. But what do you do if Fido still wants to play on a hot day? Vests are a good option if you’ve got a dog that just doesn’t know its own limits when it comes to heat.
Swamp cooler vest
Not only does this vest help keep the sun off your dog, so they don’t get hot in the first place, it also has a mesh design that keeps them cool. It’s easy to snap on or off, and is a great alternative to a leash if you’re going to be out on a hot day.