Do you live in a warm climate but have a dog that loves being outside? Sometimes this can cause problems because you want your puppy to be happy, but you also want it to be safe. Luckily, there are many simple ways to keep dogs cool outside. Just keep in mind, your dog should never be left out in the heat without supervision or active cooling methods. If the weather becomes too hot or your dog appears distressed, bring it inside immediately.
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How to Keep Dogs Cool Outside
Whether you live in a warm climate all year round or you just have warm summers, it is important to plan for your dog’s safety. Providing your dog with cooling methods is essential to reducing the risks of dehydration and heatstroke. In addition to these cooling methods, remember to limit your dog’s outdoor activity when the weather gets too hot. This is the easiest way to prevent your dog from overheating.
Shade
Shade is an essential part of keeping your dog cool outside. Keeping your dog out of the direct sun can help prevent overheating. Trees provide lots of natural shade for dogs, but you have other options if you do not have trees in your yard. You can get your dog a canopy to lay under. Dog canopies often have raised beds to increase airflow around your dog. Umbrellas and awnings are also safe and easy ways to provide your dog with shade.
Although dog houses are a popular choice for providing shade, they are not always the best choice. Dog houses can become extremely hot if the air is not properly circulated. Some dog houses have raised floors that allow air to circulate around your dog. However, if you place the dog house directly on the hot ground, it will heat up and become trapped in the house. Therefore, although dog houses provide shade, they can still make the heat worse.
Playing-Water
One fun and easy way to keep your dog cool is by providing water to play in. You can do this by filling up a doggy pool for your puppy or turning on a sprinkler. You can find pools in many different sizes, so make sure your dog receives a pool that is suitable for its size. Additionally, make sure that you are not overfilling the pool. Ideally, your dog should be able to sit in the pool comfortably. You should never leave your dog unattended in the pool.
Pools can be a great way to regulate your dog’s body temperature. One way that dogs regulate body temperature is through their paw pads. Therefore, standing in a pool of cool water can help your dog regulate the temperature of its whole body. If you do not have a pool for your dog, a sprinkler can also help regulate your dog’s temperature as the cool water is distributed across your dog’s whole body.
Drinking-Water
Providing your dog with ample amounts of drinking water is also crucial to keeping them cool while outside. You should always ensure your dog has a full bowl of water available. Feel free to add ice cubes to your dog’s water to keep it nice and cool. You can also give your dog ice cubes to chew on as a treat. This provides your dog with extra hydration in a new and exciting way.
Some dogs do not enjoy drinking water. If this is the case, you may want to just bring your dog indoors where it can cool down. This may seem cruel, especially for dogs that love being outside, but their safety is more important. If your dog does not drink enough water, it is at risk of becoming dehydrated, which can be deadly.
Frozen Foods
Another way to cool your dog down and ensure they are hydrated is by giving them frozen snacks. As we mentioned, ice cubes are a great way to cool your dog down and give it that hydration boost. If you have a dog who is not interested in plain ice cubes, you can freeze a mixture of chicken stock and water to give to your dog.
Many fruits are also high in water content, so they are a good option for your puppy. To keep your dog as cool as possible, try freezing the fruit into small pieces before giving it to your dog. This allows your dog to gain extra hydration while also experiencing the cooling effects of the frozen fruits.
Cooling Clothing and Mats
Cooling clothing has become a popular method of keeping dogs cool while outside. To cool your dog correctly, you should dip the clothing in water before placing it on your dog. Cooling vests, in particular, have been developed to help cool your dog down. These vests mimic human sweating by distributing moisture across your dog’s body. Other clothing items such as bananas are also valuable for cooling your dog down.
If your dog does not like clothing, you may want to invest in a cooling mat. There are different kinds of cooling mats available, all of which provide a cool place for your dog to lay. Some cooling mats are simply filled with water that is released when your dog lays down. Other mats contain ice packs or gel that cause the surface of the mat to remain cold.
For best results, you should place the cooling mat in the shade. This prevents direct sunlight from hitting your dog, which helps them maintain their cool temperature.
Elevated Surfaces
When finding the perfect spot for your dog, you should be aware of airflow. Elevated surfaces allow air to flow under your dog as well as around the standard top and sides. Elevated canopies are a popular way to give your dog this good airflow. If you do not have a dog-specific surface, do not worry. Something as simple as a patio lounge chair has the same effect.
To maximize airflow, you can place a fan in front of your dog while it lies on this elevated surface. Fans ensure the air is constantly moving, providing the best cooling possible. Additionally, you should ensure this elevated surface is out of the direct sun.
Grooming 
It is essential to brush your dog regularly, especially if it spends lots of time outside in the heat. Without brushing, your dog can become matted, causing heat to become trapped. If you notice matting in your dog’s hair, try brushing it out. If this does not work, you should visit a professional groomer who can get rid of the matting.
When it comes to haircuts, it is important not to shave your dog down to the skin. Your dog’s fur acts as an insulator, so it helps keep your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you shave your dog too short, you are removing this insulation. Additionally, shaving your dog’s hair too short makes your dog more susceptible to sunburns.
If you think your dog needs a haircut, visit a professional groomer. Your groomer will be able to determine the best hair length for optimal cooling based on your dog’s breed, exercise level, and coat type.
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Health Risks of Not Keeping Your Dog Cool
As you can see, there are many ways to keep your dog cool outside. Without implementing any of these measures, your dog is at risk for severe illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration. Both of these illnesses can be life-threatening, so you must prevent them at all costs. Sometimes, even with these precautions, your dog can still overheat, so you should always be vigilant and take your dog indoors when it becomes too hot.
Heatstroke 
Unlike humans, dogs have a naturally high body temperature running between 99-102.5 degrees. Therefore, their threshold for heatstroke is higher than a human’s. Anything above 103 degrees is considered a fever, while anything above 106 degrees can be fatal.
Heatstroke occurs when your dog’s temperature reaches 106 degrees or above without an underlying illness. If your dog reaches 107 degrees in temperature, organs may begin failing. This is why it is so vital that you keep your dog cool on hot days.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, vomiting, discolored gums, sticky gums, lethargy, and seizures. If your dog has any of these symptoms, immediately remove them from the heat and contact a veterinarian directly. You may apply cool water to your dog while waiting for professional medical attention. However, make sure the water is not too cold, as this can cause your dog to go into shock.
Dehydration
If your dog spends lots of time outside in the heat, there is a risk of dehydration. To avoid this problem, you should always ensure your dog is getting plenty of water while outside. If your dog does not drink a lot of water, it is best to bring it indoors where you can reduce the heat and encourage drinking.
Symptoms of dehydration in dogs include dryness of the nose, loss of appetite, excessive panting, vomiting, loss of skin elasticity, lethargy, and sunken eyes. If your dog exhibits these symptoms, immediately remove it from the heat and provide lots of fluids. If symptoms continue, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Conclusion for How to Keep Dogs Cool Outside
During the summer months, the weather gets hot and you might be worried that your dog is getting too hot! We provided you with several ways to keep dogs cool outside and some of the health risks if you don’t keep your dog cooler. As a general rule of thumb though, you should never leave your dog outside if the temperatures get too hot. Always make sure to supervise your dog when it gets warm because dogs can suffer from both heatstroke and dehydration.
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Vinise Weeks is a hands-on, passionate, and creative writer who loves dogs. She has two fur babies named Miu Miu and Toto that she loves taking care of. In her spare time, she loves helping people and making the word a better place.