Keeping your dog cool in hot weather

Murphybear

Hi dog people. 🐶I subscribe to Which and the latest magazine has an article on how to keep your dog cool in the very hot weather we’ve had.

AT A GLANCE: KEEPING YOUR DOG COOL

• Don't take your dog out if it's too hot As temperatures rise above 20°C, the risk of heatstroke increases, especially for overweight dogs, very young or elderly pets, and breeds with thick coats or flat faces. 
• Learn how to identify heatstroke Watch for signs of overheating, such as excessive panting or heavy breathing. More serious symptoms can include vomiting, collapse or seizures.
• Consider cooling products There are various products designed to help keep dogs cool in hot weather, including cooling mats, cooling coats and paddling pools. We take a closer look at the different options further down the page.
• Tackle excess fur Brush your pet regularly to remove loose fur and help air circulate through their coat.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car Even in the shade, it only takes a few minutes for a car to become dangerously hot.
  

I hope it’s useful. I’ve never had a dog, I’m a cat person 😺

GrubbyGirl_2

Mine wear wet kiddies t shirts and that really does the trick. They also just have one walk at 6am.

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82049667#Comment_82049667

Any photos? I’m trying to imagine what a dog wearing a wet t shirt looks like 🐶

tacpot12

We invested in a couple of George Barclay Climacool cooling mats so that we can have one in use while the other one is recuperating. They do work, and the our dogs quickly started choosing to lie on them.

We've also been walking them early in the day.

Baldytyke88

There are various comments about dogs over-heating on social media. It really does get hyped up, don't take your dog out, or it will die.

When outside, just a gentle breeze can mean that it's cooler outdoors, compared to indoors.

unforeseen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050155#Comment_82050155

Even with a breeze, concrete and tarmac can still be at a temperature to burn paws

teaselMay

Concrete, and even wood, was uncomfortably hot to walk over in my bare feet the past few days. I took to hosing down the slabs and back house wall which made a huge difference for them and me. Also made sure the shaded part of the garden was damp during the hottest hours so that it stayed reasonably cool. They mostly stayed inside but at least had cool areas when they did go out.

Shade, fans, sponging them down, plenty of cold wet food - a weetabix with water when they wanted a treat instead of a bonioo, nice cold rice for tea. Two lurchers lads have coped well, only panting has been when the youngster forgot and had a quick zoomie

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050352#Comment_82050352

I have felt the road/pavement and it was not too hot, like I said, you cannot make one post and it applies to every road/pavement/dog

Of course, some surfaces can become hot if exposed to the sun all day