Keepin' Cool

I hate to talk about the summer heat, mainly because my local news stations have been talking about it ad nauseam since the temperatures went above 80, in a manner that suggests that once we hit over 90 degrees, Washington, DC might spontaneously combust somehow.

But since this is a dog blog, I feel I should talk about how the heat affects our dogs, and how to keep them safe and sound in this weather.

Do not shave your dog!

I first want to address a myth that people are often repeating - "If you want to know how a dog feels in the heat, put on a fur coat and stand outside for awhile." The truth is that this does not at all simulate how a dog feels in the heat.

A dog's coat, particularly on double-coated dogs like German Shepherds, serves the function of protecting the dog. In winter, that's done by trapping air between the layers of fur, helping to regulate body temperature and keeping the dog warm. It's not so much the fur that keeps the dog warm, it's the air that is trapped between the fur. In summer, the same principle applies. The dogs coat actually helps the dog deal better with the heat.

So the first rule of summer safety - don't take your dog's natural defense to the heat, especially if your dog is long-coated or plush coated. Don't get the fur trimmed or shaved, because that does nothing to protect your dog from the heat - as a matter of fact, it does the opposite. It exposes the skin, making your dog susceptible to heat stroke, and since it takes away the regulatory function of the fur, your dog is much more likely to suffer from heat-related problems than if he had his coat.

However, do keep the fur well groomed by brushing frequently. The dog's fur cannot protect the dog properly if it's tangled or matted. Plush-coated and long-coated dogs should be brushed or combed at least twice a week, preferably every other day.

Keep your dog cool - from the inside!

Being safe in summer doesn't mean canning all outside activities with your dog because of the heat. Most dogs do fine in summer if they get a chance to get used to the warmer temperatures by being exposed to them, just as long as you are smart, don't overdo it with exercise, and make sure your dog's body temperature remains regulated.

The best way to keep your dog's body temperature down is keeping him cool from the inside.

You should always have water available for your dog in summer, in a place that is easily accessible. If you're outside and exercising your dog, make sure you have water on hand and offer it frequently.

For humans, the rule of thumb is as follows: When you're exercising outside in the heat, you should drink one cup of water every 15 minutes to replenish fluid lost by sweating - whether you're thirsty or not. You should also know that if you feel thirsty, you're most likely already dehydrated.

For your dog, a good rule of thumb would be to offer water when you're having it - more often if your dog is exercising more than you are. For example, if you're standing and tossing the ball and your dog's doing all the running, you'll want to make sure to address your dog's need for water more frequently than your own.

Water for your dog should always be cool in summer - not freezing cold, but cool. If you're normally using metal bowls, consider using ceramic or plastic bowls* in summer because metal is a conductor and will hold the heat more so than ceramic of plastic will - therefore, water in a metal bowl won't stay cold as long as water in a ceramic bowl will.

(* I personally don't like using plastic bowls because plastic is porous and an ideal breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria. If you must use plastic, please get bowls that are dishwasher safe and run them through the dishwasher frequently, along with cleaning them out daily.)

You can add ice cubes to the water, which will keep it cool longer and many dogs enjoy them as frozen treats, too. Alternatively you could freeze a second bowl and put it out with the regular one, so your dog can chew on the ice, or lap it up as it melts.

If you and your dog exercise a lot because you're involved in, for example, dog sports such as Schutzhund or agility, you may also consider additives to the water that help rehydrate your dog and replenish electrolytes. Many places sell products such as K-9 Bluelite, which are basically the dog version of products like Gatorade or Pedialyte that help rehydrate and quickly. In an emergency, children's Pedialyte can be used to rehydrate a dog, but because these products normally have sugars and colorants in them, they should not be used regularly.

When your dog needs to cool off - NOW!

If you notice that your dog is becoming overheated - some of the warning signs are rapid panting and drooling - it's time to cool him down before the situation gets worse and your dog ends up with heat stroke.

Just like humans, an overheated dog should never be doused in ice cold water. (Dousing someone with cold water if they are overheated can lead to heart failure.)

Instead, bring the dog into the shade and begin cooling him down using room temperature or cool water (and offering water to drink, of course). Pour the water on the dog's belly and inside of the back legs first. This is where major blood vessels are close to the skin, and the dog's fur is usually a lot less dense than elsewhere on the body - making it the quickest way to cool down your dog (short of a cool water enema).

You can also use this method to keep your dog cool during training - wet down his belly and inside of the back legs with cool water using a washcloth, sponge, squirt bottle, or water hose. It's much more effective than wetting the dog's head, neck, or back.

Help your dog keep Cool and Comfy

As with anything, setting yourself and your dog up for success is the best way to go - better to plan ahead than deal with issues when they occur. There are a lot of cooling products that you can use to help regulate your dog's body temperature. What works best for you depends on both your situation as well as your dog.

One thing you need to remember is that the breed and age of the dog play a big role. Short-nosed dogs such as Pugs have a much more difficult time in hot weather and can become overheated quickly with moderate exercise, even on a day that is not overly warm. Senior dogs and puppies, and overweight and out-of-shape dogs, are more susceptible to heat-related
problems.

If your dog is outside a lot, or you travel a lot together, I would recommend that you give a cooling pad or cooling mat a try. Those are great because your dog can lay on them and get cooled on all of their body - to include that belly area where cooling makes the biggest difference. There are varying types - some that are filled with water, others that use polymer crystals which soak up and store water for a long period of time. I personally like the latter because they stay cool longer.

There are also cooling bandanas, cooling neckbands, and cooling vests of various types and styles. Some work by putting them into the freezer. Others work by inserting ice packs into them. Yet others have polymer crystals that soak up cold water.

These kinds of products all work if you use them correctly.

They need to be checked frequently to make sure they are still cool, and they must be refilled or re-wetted as needed. They also only make a real difference if they are on the dog before overheating becomes a problem - you want the temperature to be regulated, not to rely on a product to help you drop the temperature once it has already become dangerous.

Some Products you can use to Keep Cool

Linked below are some products that can help keep your dogs comfortable in the summer heat. Please note that inclusion of these products does not mean I personally recommend that particular brand name, manufacturer, or the online merchant selling the item. Items with an asterisks behind them are items that I personally own or have tried.

Cooling Bandanas

• Cool Doggs *
• Coldanna
• Outward Hound Cool-It *
  

Cooling Mats and Beds

• Canine Cooler
  
• Cool Bed II
  
• Cool Bed III
• Coldanna Cooling Mat
• Miracool Dog Mat
• Canine Cool Pad
  

Cooling Vests and Wraps

• Canine Cool Vest
• Cool Champions K-9 Vest
• Thermalwear CCS Vest
• Cool K-9 Vest
• Coolmedics Coat
• Cool Vest *
• RPCM ChillyDog Vest *
  

Hydration, Bowls and Portable Water Devices

• K-9 Bluelite *
  
• K-9 Quencher
• The Pet Top
• Chill-a-Bowl
• Handi-Drink Travel Dish
• The Waterboy
• The Buddy Bowl *
  

Crate and Vehicle Fans

• Metro Air Force Crate Fan
• Pro Select Crate Fan *
  
• Cool K-9 Vehicle AC
• Portable K-9 Cooler

Please note: When you purchase from Lucy's Dog House, part of your money goes to support rescues around the United States. When you purchase an RCPM Cooling Vest, 10% of your money goes to buying vests for Military Working Dogs.