The quickest way to cool a dog down is to get it away from the heat and into shade or a cool room, give it access to fresh, cool drinking water, and wet its coat with cool water, especially on the paws, belly, groin and the insides of the thighs, where the blood runs close beneath the skin. A gentle airflow from a fan or an open window helps evaporation draw the heat out of the body. The crucial thing is that the cooling happens calmly and evenly, not with ice-cold water in a shock.
Dogs don't sweat the way we do. They regulate almost all of their heat by panting and, to a limited extent, through the pads of their paws. So when the temperature around the dog rises, or it has been running and playing intensely, it can quickly build up more heat than it can get rid of on its own. That's why it's about giving the body help from the outside in a way that is effective without being drastic.
How to cool the dog down step by step
Start by moving the dog to the coolest place you can find: a shaded area, a tiled floor indoors or a room with a through-draught. The surface itself matters a great deal, because a dog on hot asphalt or dry grass in the sun keeps absorbing heat, while cool tiles draw heat away from the body from below.
Then offer fresh, cool water. Let the dog drink at its own pace rather than pouring large amounts into it all at once. Many dogs drink eagerly when they are hot, and that is perfectly fine, but calm access to the water bowl is better than forcing it.
Then wet the coat with cool, not ice-cold, water. The spots that have the greatest effect are the paws and pads, the belly, the groin and the insides of the thighs, as well as the neck. You can use a wet cloth, a hand shower on a low setting or a bowl of water the dog can stand in. Feel free to let the water stay in the coat, and help evaporation along with a fan or a light breeze. Never dry the dog off straight away, because it is precisely the evaporation from the wet coat that draws the heat out.
Why you shouldn't use ice-cold water
It feels logical to pour ice-cold water or place ice packs directly on a very hot dog, but a sudden, intense cold on the skin can cause the outermost blood vessels to contract. When the vessels narrow, it becomes harder for the body to transport the internal heat out to the surface, and the cooling can paradoxically become slower. Cool water around body temperature to slightly below is gentler and works evenly with the body instead of shocking it. Rather spend a little more time on a calm cooldown than go for the coldest thing you can find.
Cool drinking water rather than ice cubes and large amounts
Water is a central part of cooling, both internally and externally. Make sure the dog always has access to fresh water, and replace it so it stays cool. Offer the water in smaller, frequent amounts if the dog is very out of breath, rather than letting it gulp down a large bowl all at once. You don't need large ice cubes, and some dogs chew on them so hard that they risk damaging their teeth. Cool water does the same job without that risk.
Simple aids that cool effectively
A cooling mat, a wet towel laid loosely under the dog or a small pool with lukewarm water the dog can step into makes a big difference on a hot day. Many dogs love to stand with their paws in water, and the paws are precisely one of the spots where the body releases heat best. A fan directed at the damp coat enhances the effect, because the airflow promotes evaporation. On the other hand, avoid wrapping the dog tightly in wet towels on top of the body, because that can trap the heat instead of letting it out. Let the air get to it.
How to prevent overheating on hot days
The best cooldown is the one that never becomes necessary. Move walks and play to the cool hours early in the morning and late in the evening, and keep activity in the shade in the middle of the day. Always check the asphalt with the back of your hand before you set off: if it is too hot for you to hold your hand on it for a few seconds, it is too hot for the dog's paws. Provide shade and fresh water, whether you are at home or on the go, and never leave the dog waiting in a parked car, where the temperature rises extremely quickly even in the shade and with the window ajar.
Some dogs cope with heat less well than others. Dogs with a short muzzle, a thick coat, excess weight, very young puppies and dogs in their senior years need extra attention. If you are unsure whether your dog is at a healthy weight, which also makes it more robust against the heat, you can learn more in the guide does your dog have a healthy weight.
Meals and moisture in the heat
During hot spells many dogs eat a little less, and that is perfectly normal. A meal with a high moisture content can be a pleasant way to get a little extra fluid in on a hot day. Here a PÂTÉ like SUPERIOR LIVING PÂTÉ is a good choice, because its prepared texture both tempts the appetite and contributes fluid. You can serve it lightly chilled straight from the fridge or spread it out on THE LICKING MAT, so that the meal also becomes a calm, enriching moment that doesn't raise the dog's temperature unnecessarily. If you'd like to find more PÂTÉ varieties gathered in one place, you can take a look at the collection Living pate.
If you'd like to change your dog's diet with wellbeing and comfort in mind, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready by phone, chat or email and will help you find the meals that suit your particular dog's age, needs and everyday life.
When overheating requires a vet
Cooling down at home is fine for ordinary heat and breathlessness, but overheating can develop into something serious, and here the minutes count. If your dog seems unusually sluggish, confused, unsteady on its legs, pants violently without settling down, vomits or collapses, you should begin a calm cooldown immediately and drive to the vet or an emergency vet without waiting. Feel free to keep wetting the coat on the way, and call ahead so the clinic is ready. If you are even the slightest bit unsure how bad things are, it is always right to contact a vet rather than guess at home.
On the vast majority of hot days, fortunately, it's simply a matter of being one step ahead: shade, cool water inside and out, a calm airflow and an everyday routine where the rough play is in the cool hours. With those habits in place, both you and your dog can enjoy the summer without the heat becoming a problem.