Keeping your dog cool in hot weather takes more than putting out an extra bowl of water. Dogs do not lose heat in the same way people do, and panting is one of their main cooling mechanisms. On warm days it helps to adjust exercise, timing, shade, water and cooling measures together.
This guide is for normal hot-weather care. If you suspect overheating or heatstroke, treat it as a medical problem and contact a veterinarian.
Plan walks around the cooler parts of the day
One of the simplest ways to reduce heat exposure is to move longer walks to early morning or later in the evening. Around the hottest part of the day, choose shorter bathroom breaks and calmer enrichment indoors.
Do not look at air temperature alone. Sun, wind, humidity, ground surface and exercise all affect how demanding a walk becomes. A shaded route over grass can feel very different from an exposed route over pavement on the same day.
Adjust pace and distance when it is hot
A regular walking route does not need to be completed at the same pace or distance every day. Give your dog more opportunities to stop, sniff and rest. Dogs that remain enthusiastic can still become too hot, so it is useful to build in breaks before they ask for them.
Mental enrichment can replace some physical activity on very hot days. A relaxed sniff walk, search game or short play session at home may be more sensible than trying to cover the same mileage as you would in cool weather.
Provide water, shade and airflow
Fresh drinking water should be easy to reach. Outdoors, provide a shaded rest area and remember that shade moves as the sun changes position. Indoors, ventilation, a cooler room and moving air can make the environment more comfortable.
Never leave a dog in a hot car or another enclosed space that can heat up quickly. Even a short stop can become dangerous as sunlight and outside temperatures rise.
A cooling vest can provide extra support
An evaporative cooling vest or dog cooling jacket works by holding water in the material. As that water evaporates, heat is removed from the surface. The strength of the effect depends on conditions including temperature, humidity, airflow and how wet the material remains.
A study in military working dogs exercising in moderately hot conditions found that evaporative cooling vests could support thermoregulation. That does not mean every vest performs identically in every situation. Think of a cooling vest as an additional tool alongside rest, water, shade and adjusted activity.
For a closer look at the mechanism, read how evaporative dog cooling vests work.
How to use the Wandersnout Cooling Jacket
The Wandersnout Dog Cooling Jacket is soaked before use. The fabric holds water and uses evaporation to create a cooling effect while worn. It is available in sizes S through XL and in aqua, orange and pink.
During use, regularly check your dog's behaviour and whether the vest is still damp. A cooling product should never be treated as a reason to stay out in the heat longer than would otherwise be sensible.
Watch for signs of overheating
Excessive or unusual panting, weakness, lethargy, difficulty walking, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion or collapse can be signs that a dog is becoming dangerously hot. Do not wait for a cooling vest to solve the problem.
The RSPCA advises stopping further exercise, moving the dog out of heat and direct sun, applying water that is cooler than the dog to the body and creating airflow. Prompt veterinary assessment is important. Severe symptoms are an emergency.
Some dogs need extra care
Age, health, body shape, coat and fitness can all affect how well a dog copes with heat. Flat-faced dogs, older dogs, young puppies, overweight dogs and dogs with heart or breathing problems may be more vulnerable.
If you are unsure what is safe for your individual dog, ask your veterinarian. A general temperature limit or fixed time rule is less useful than advice that takes your dog's health and circumstances into account.
Hot-weather care works best as a combination
The best approach usually is not one product. Walk at cooler times, choose shade, offer water, reduce intensity and use cooling tools only as an addition. That creates several layers of protection instead of relying on one measure.
A hot day should not become a test of how much heat your dog can tolerate. It is simply a day to adapt the routine to the weather.
