Wetting your dog's coat can help to lower their body temperature. This is especially useful for dogs suffering from heatstroke. To keep them cool, drench a towel in tepid water and drape it over your dog.
Pour cool water over the dog's feet, ears and head. Never use ice or very cold water as this can cause shock. Gradually start to move cool water over their body but not too much that they start shivering. If possible, continue cooling your dog on the way to your vet.
Soak a cloth or towel in room temperature water and lay it on his neck and chest. It's not recommended to try to use ice or very cold water to drop your dog's temperature too drastically, as this can lead to shock. As the water on the towel evaporates, it will pull heat from your dog's body.
Dampening their coat also provides effective cooling, so you can quickly bathe them before letting them jump out. On the other hand, some dogs may get very excited in a paddling pool.
Ordinarily, you would use a towel to dry off your dog. But to cool down your hot dog, you are going to do the opposite. A damp towel is the perfect solution to cooling down a hot dog.
Sometimes your only choice might be water from a hose that runs a bit cooler. In those cases, you want to make sure it's hot outside so your dog doesn't get chilled. She'll find the cooler water refreshing on a warmer day. But ideally, use lukewarm water and avoid cold water altogether.
Dogs do sweat (but not much).
Obviously using a garden hose to wet down your dog will help, but it wastes a lot of water, and some dogs are afraid of the hose or could even be injured by the pressure.
A dog who suddenly can't or won't lie down, has labored breathing when lying down, or assumes the “praying position” of lying down with his bum in the air, may be experiencing pain or discomfort due to a serious medical condition: pancreatitis, bloat, or heart disease, for example.
If you think your dog is overheating, Grebe advises that you quickly move him to a cool place and immediately spray cool (not cold or icy) water on the coat, ensuring it reaches the skin. Cold water tends to constrict the surface blood vessels in the skin and this reduces, instead of increases, heat loss.
Anxiety/Fear: Panting, yawning, blinking, lip licking, and pacing are all signs of stress. Thunderstorms, car rides, or meeting new dogs can all cause anxiety, and your dog's physical signs and body language are the only way he can tell you he's uncomfortable.
Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool.
Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest or mat. Soak these products in cool water, and they'll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn't find baths stressful, see if they enjoy a cooling soak.
They can get entangled in plants or debris or there may be harmful substances in the water itself. Instead bathe or shower your dog at home in cool (not freezing) water.
Animal experts have been advising against pets drinking from hoses for several years. This includes humans and pets alike. Hoses can contain lead and other toxins, depending on what the hose is made of and what type of fittings it uses.
While some pet owners are content to let their dogs air dry, you shouldn't be. When you let your dog air dry, they'll be at risk for fungus growing between their paw pads and in locations where their legs attach to their torso. If your dog has long hair, their fur may become matted if you let them air dry after a bath.
An ideal temperature doesn't exist for all dogs, since their normal body temperature will vary according to size. Most dogs begin to show signs of overheating when the air temperature is between 81 and 85 degrees F.
Is your pet overheating at night? As we mentioned above, summer nights can be just as problematic as summer days for your pet. For example, one sign your dog is too hot at night is heavy panting in a setting where they're otherwise calm and happy.
Best House Temperatures for Dogs
Indoor temperatures in the summer should be what you're probably used to — between 75 degrees F and 78 F. When you leave the house never set the thermostat higher than 82 degrees, and always provide lots of fresh water for your dog.
While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF, keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.
Brachycephalic dogs
Dogs have sweat glands in their paw pads but release excess heat primarily by panting. Brachycephalic or flat-faced dog breeds have more difficulty taking in enough air to cool themselves down by panting.
In many cases, dogs die within 24 hours of experiencing heatstroke. Dr. Grimmett notes that many dogs who survive heatstroke don't have any long-term effects. However, if your dog's body temperature was too high for a long period of time, they may live with permanent brain, kidney, or other organ damage.
Dogs pant when hot, excited, or stressed. If your dog is panting even though he has not exercised, he may be experiencing stress.
If your dog is breathing fast while at rest or sleeping, they could be exhibiting symptoms of respiratory distress. Contact your vet if you notice any of the following signs: Engaging stomach muscles to help breathe. Reluctance to drink, eat or move.