Cooling methods for dogs: how to cool a dog down

Longer days and warmer temperatures make it easier to spend quality time outdoors with your dog. After all, who doesn't love a chill outside with their favourite pal in tow?

But with British summers getting warmer, it’s more important than ever to know how to keep dogs cool as temperatures rise.

We’re going to explore all the ways to make sure your tailmate is comfortable, as well as how to cool a dog down fast in an emergency.

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How to cool down a dog effectively

Passive/preventative cooling methods

While we can’t change the weather, we can change our routine and modify our environment. For example, you could:

• Change walking times to early mornings (before 8am) or late evenings (after 8pm) to avoid the heat of the day. Make sure you're prepared for nighttime walks.

• Walk in cool, shady areas like woodlands.

• Use an elevated dog bed at home to allow air to circulate under your resting pet.

• Allow your dog access to cool tiled floors in bathrooms and kitchens.

• Offer a pet-safe cooling mat as an alternative to a tiled floor.

• Keep your house cool by closing curtains and blinds shut on south-facing windows.

• Always allow access to cool, fresh drinking water; take a travel bowl on walks with you.

Quick ways to cool your dog down

Dogs only have a few ways they can lose body heat. Panting allows cooling through evaporation from the tongue and airways, vasodilation lets body heat escape through dilated blood vessels at the skin surface, and sweating through the paws also helps add to evaporative cooling.

This means they may need help to cool down in hot weather. Here’s how:

• Offer dog-safe frozen treats, like frozen low-sodium bone broth or frozen wet food stuffed in a rubber toy.

• Make sure your dog has a variety of water bowls in different locations for easy access.

• Slip some ice cubes in their drinking water to cool things down; just watch pets that are prone to choking.

• Set up a shallow paddling pool in the shade so your dog can have a cooling dip.

• Plan walks that include an easily accessible water spot, like a shallow stream. Take care with dogs that aren’t strong swimmers, and avoid altogether if you have concerns about currents.

• Wet your dog’s fur regularly with a damp sponge or small spray bottle filled with cool water.

• Add water to their meals for an easy hydration boost, especially if they are on dry kibble.

Active/emergency cooling

Hot temperatures and ineffective cooling can lead to overheating in any dog, but some are at a much higher risk.

These include brachycephalic breeds, dogs with thick coats, giant breeds, very energetic dogs, and those with underlying health issues. Take extra special care of these dogs in warm weather.

An overheating dog may pant excessively, look distressed, and feel hot to the touch. If this is the case, start emergency cooling:

• Move your dog somewhere cool or shady.

• Use a damp sponge or towel to wring cool water onto their fur. This will help to bring their body temperature down through evaporation. Focus on areas like the paws, groin, and armpits, as well as their fur. (If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, you must make sure you thoroughly wet them – use a cup or small jug if you need to).

• Place your dog in front of an electric fan if you can.

• Offer them cool drinking water.

• Call your vet for advice.

Emergency steps when a dog has severe overheating or heatstroke

A more intensive approach is needed for a dog with suspected heatstroke.

How to cool a dog down fast

1. Stop all activity and find shade (immediate)

Immediately move your dog out of direct sunlight and into an air-conditioned room, or at least into a heavily shaded area with good airflow.

2. Douse with cool water (within one minute)

Pour cool water continuously over their body, focusing heavily on the groin, belly, and armpits where the major blood vessels are located. Don't submerge their head.

3. Maximise evaporation (continuous)

Position an electric fan to blow directly over the wet dog or turn your car's air conditioning on high. Evaporation is the fastest way to drop their core temperature.

4. Check the tongue and call the vet (within 5-10 minutes)

As the panting slows and your dog’s condition improves, stop the water application to call your vet and let them know you are coming in for an assessment.

Signs your dog is too hot

Signs of mild overheating

• Elevated heart rate.

• Excessive drool, which may be thicker than usual.

• Heavy, frantic panting.

• Lethargy.

• Slowing down significantly on walks.

Signs of severe heatstroke

As well as the above, you may see:

• Bleeding

• Collapse

• Confusion

• Dark red tongue and gums

• Death

• Diarrhoea

• Difficulty breathing

• Loss of consciousness

• Vacant staring

• Vomiting

• Weakness or loss of coordination

What not to do when your dog is too hot

You should never:

• Cover your dog with a wet towel: This will trap body heat and prevent evaporation, causing your dog’s body temperature to continue rising.

• Force your dog to drink water: If your tailmate is conscious, then offer them water. Never force a pet to drink, especially if they're collapsed; you could cause choking.

• Overly think about water temperature: A lot of pet parents waste vital time worrying about the perfect water temperature to use on an overheating dog. Any water that is cooler than your pet’s body temperature will help. While using cool rather than icy water is preferable, the actual risk of causing shock with ice is incredibly low, so just use whatever you have to hand.

• Transport your dog to the vet before cooling them down: You must start cooling your dog down before you transport them to a vet. Your dog’s chances of survival are much greater if you start reducing their body temperature at home first.

• Believe the myth around ice and overheating: There is a lot of misinformation online, but the fact is ice does not ‘trick’ a dog’s body into heating up, so ignore any social media that tells you this. Used safely, ice cubes and icy snacks are a great way to help cool your dog down in hot weather. But it should not be given to a dog experiencing heatstroke.

• Go crazy with the water games: While water is great at keeping dogs cool, energetic games with the hose pipe or diving in and out to retrieve balls can still cause problems. Your pup may still overheat from too much exertion. Alternatively, they could accidentally consume too much water during this kind of play. Stick to relaxed dips instead.

• Hesitate to contact your vet: If you are concerned and unsure about your dog’s health or behaviour, always call your vet for advice.

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