Keeping Your Dog Cool This Summer

If you’ve ever felt like the summer heat was too much to bear, just imagine how your dog must feel. People can wear lighter clothing — or less clothing — and we sweat to keep cool, but dogs don’t have these options. Here are a few things that you can do to keep your dog cool during the summer.

Time for a trim

A haircut can help keep your dog cool during the summer. Not all dogs should get a summer haircut, though. It’s counter intuitive, but dogs with double coats, such as huskies, need their fur to remain uncut so they can keep cool.

However, taking your Goldendoodle to the groomer for a summer haircut will help keep him nice and cool!

All the water

Make sure your dog has access to water at all times. Humans can sweat to keep cool, but dogs don’t sweat. They lower their body temperature by circulating air (panting), or by drinking cool water.

Ice is nice

An ice cube can help your dog cool off quickly. Ice water and ice cubes do not cause bloating in dogs. Dogs love playing with ice, and it helps keep your dog cool, too.

Go for a swim

If your dog loves to swim like Goldendoodles do, take him for a swim! There’s nothing like a dip in some nice pool, river, or lake to help your dog keep cool. You can even set up a wading pool for your dog.

Just make sure you practice good water safety for your dog.

Get the timing right

Be active either early or late in the day. Avoid high levels of activity during peak heat hours of the day, typically between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Get healthy

Make sure your dog is fit and healthy. Dogs who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to heat.

Find a fan

Introduce your dog to the box fan. Some dogs will love the cool breeze immediately, while others have to warm up to it.

Time indoors

Let your dog spend some time indoors in the air conditioning. Dogs can suffer heat stroke just like people can.

Make some shade

Maybe you have a nice big tree in your backyard that throws plenty of shade. If not, you should make some shade for your dog. Even though the temperatures is the exact same in the shade or the sunshine, you feel 15 degrees cooler when you’re out of direct sunlight.

Remember that your dog should never be left in a parked car.