How do you keep your dog cool in the heat?

[mygirlrosie]

It's been unbearably hot here for the past week, like 90's and high humidity. (I know in some places this is considered cool weather, but we're used to snow and 8 months of cold up here, LOL!) We spend a fair amount of time outside in the pool (which Mabel hates!)

Of course Mabel wants to be where we are and not in the air-conditioned house. We do have some shade, and I keep a kiddie pool out for her (but she hates that, too), along with a giant bowl of water to drink. I'll get her wet with the hose if I think she's getting too hot, but she really doesn't like that, either. Doesn't stop me from doing it since I figure a minute of hose water is far preferable to overheating, but I do feel guilty when she looks up at me with that look. You know the one..."Mum, how can you do this to me?"

What do you do when you have a heat-sensitive dog who refuses to stay in the house alone (this pooch is glued to my hip all day long, which of course I love), doesn't understand "take it easy" (anybody see Over The Hedge? The dog scene? "Play? Play? PlayplayPLAY!"...yeah, that's Mabel), and hates getting wet? I usually just let her stay outside until I think she needs a break and then I enforce a break in the crate inside where it's air-conditioned, but she KNOWS we're outside playing and she gets upset.

So. Any tricks for keeping the mutt cool in the heat? Or do I just keep doing what I'm doing?

 

[Donna1969]

I have the same weather as you. I know its nothing compared to what some endure! I'm in Connecticut.

I haven't found a hard plastic kiddie pool yet..searching! But what I do is make sure where ever they will be has ample shade, ice cold water to drink, and I hose them down to where they are soaking wet even after shaking it off When they dry off..its hose down time again..they actually love the hose..not being soaked w/it by me but if they are jumping at the steam of water they don't mind getting wet at all..could you get a sprinkler (like when we were kids) so that she can play in it and get cooled off at the same time? I set mine up and let them "have at it" if we are outside where it won't get too muddy..

can you plug in a regular fan where ever you are outside..like if on the patio, can you plug it in so your baby stays cool? Ice cubes or water cookies (what I call them ) make great toys AND keep them cool.

A nice cold wet towel over their neck/back works well too. They do have water bed like beds that are cool..maybe thats an option for you..put it outside where you will be and let her lay on the cool bed

 

[CaseyGirl]

I'm in MA too and not loving the heat. We have the same problem, but I figure if Casey's in the shade with plenty of water she'll be okay. I just make sure it's not for long periods of time. I've tried the hose, kiddie pool, etc....she's not interested. I was hoping she'd be a little more of a water dog but that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[Coopster2208]

I am in PA, so we aren't too different in the climates, we usually fill up a water bowl with ice, then water... that way it stays cold as the ice melts even though it is out in the heat... the sprinkler idea is good, but if you baby will not go in it, it doesn't help. Have you ever seen those mister things... you plug them in and the spray out a light mist of water...? May be something worth looking into...

 

[myfourmoes]

Hot Weather

Hello everyone We live in Phoenix AZ today its going to be 110 or so and just keeps getting hotter for the next three months. We keep the fur kids cool by letting them swim in the pool of course with us there and they have there own doggie pool. But we have to keep them in the house in the ac till it gets a little cooler. We also have paws "shoes" for them to wear when we do go some place. It is really a scene to see 4 boxers walking into petsmart or petco with there shoes on. Plus we also use cool collers its like a collar only filled with a gel that you keep in the freezer till your ready to go on your walks or to the store they stay cool for about 2 hours.

Thanks

Jakob, JJ, Moses, and Ogie

 

[Adelle]

I am in MA also, when I am outside I make sure they have access to plenty of shade and water, I got them a pool also but they won't go in it either I also put a fan on the deck in the shade and when they get too warm they usually go and sit in front of it, but after they have been outside for too long I make them go inside to hang out in the AC for a while to cool down for a bit.

 

[paulws]

Hi,
I,m in RI and yes it has been hot. I am glad!!! I was getting so tired of that dreary rain. This weekend I put a sprinkler on the lawn and turned it on and Bella thought she found heaven. she was so comical to watch, jumping and twirling and stalking the sprinkler. It kept her cool and entertained. She is so dark that she just seems to overheat easily. Yesterday I didn't have the sprinkler on and she panted for an hour after she came in. It was kind of scary. I try to keep her in the ac as much as possible but being a puppy she just wants to play. The sprinkler works.
Lynne

 

[boxersinapod]

We too live in Phoenix and it is HOT as crap here! Usually I fill up their water bowl and Luke drinks out of it and puts his paws in the bowl and splashes himself. Today I got the idea to take one of our Tupperwear containers and filled it with water and its freezing right now, figured a HUGE ice cube would be something fun for them to play with as well as keep them cool bc they love ice cubes. Just an idea!!!!!!!

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

We use a cold bandana around the neck if we are going to be out long. Also we will freeze a large block of ice for our pups to play with and ice water in a spray bottle to mist the face and mouth. Good luck!

Dora

 

[BrendaCesar]

I live in central california and its been crazy hot out here and its going to get worst we've been about 102 everyday and it migh get up to 110 by this weekend so needless to say we're not looking forward to that, so I try to keep Jackie indoors with the air cond. ofcourse and later on during the day i fill up her kiddie pool and just let her splash around and play....or you know if you don't have a kiddie pool just splash her with the hose, trust me they love it....I also keep ice cubes in her water just to make sure its nice and cool for her.