Spray water on your dog’s belly ( in the hot sun, water on the back isn’t a good idea)
Even cats will tolerate a spritz from a water bottle and birds LOVE it.
Freeze your water in pop bottles that be placed in pools or wrapped in towels for a cool place to lay.
Water sprayed on cool, shady cement can be refreshing provided your pet doesn’t have arthritis.
Take Fido swimming at the local watering hole but be sure to use a life vest.
Shade:Any time your pet is outdoors make sure there is ready access to shade.
Shade can be a tree, canopy of the shady side of the house. Just remember that the sun’s position changes throughout the day so shady in the morning may not be shady in the afternoon.
Doghouses are not shade. There is not enough air movement to keep them cool.
Don’t forget your basement. It’s the coolest, safest place for your pet in the heat.
Limit exercise:
Dogs can’t sweat like we do.
Short coated breeds can and do sunburn.
Asphalt can burn tender paw pads.
Brachycephalic (short faced) breeds are especially intolerant of heat and too much activity
If you keep going, your dog will too, right into heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Keep air circulating with a fan:
It won’t make things perfect but circulating air stays cooler.
Go high tech:
There are cooling gel dog beds available.
You may also want to try cooling vests and collars.
Keep your pet in the air conditioning:
When it’s really hot sometimes the best move is to keep your pet inside until things cool down in the evening.
