That’s Cool Dog.
It’s really hot in Maine today, which means it’s scorching in the rest of the country. I’m worried that everyone south of New Hampshire is bursting into flames as I write this.
So for all of you with hot dogs out there, here’s a few ideas to keep them cool today (if you can’t smuggle them into a movie theater for an afternoon of popcorn and ice-cold air conditioning):
Kool Collar
Fill this collar with ice and keep your dog’s body temp down while you’re out in the sun or stuck inside a stuffy apartment. Yes, you can wear one too.
Hurtta Cooling Coat
Soak this coat in cold water, wring it out, then put it on your dog. Keeps them cool as the water evaporates and it protects them from the sun. RuffWear also makes a similar coat.
Kool Dogz Ice Treat Maker
Keep your dog busy and cool for hours with this hunk o’ ice and toys. Perfect for shelter dogs in outdoor kennels. You can also make one with stuff around the house. Learn how from Animal Farm Foundation here.
Kiddie Pool
Boogie learned how to swim in a lake last summer, but we can’t get to a lake most days. For M-F swims, I’m all about the kiddie pool. Low tech. High fun.
Other low-tech ideas:
Freeze chicken or beef broth in ice cube trays for a tasty, cold treat. Put a cold, wet bandanna around your dog’s neck. Put some green beans or sweet potato slices in the freezer for a frozen snack. Feed them dinner from a frozen Kong. Read the Polar Express out loud to them.
What are some of your favorite ways to keep your dogs cool on hot summer days? Do tell!
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notes from a dog walker 
Great post. It’s been around 90° in the Twin Cities.
When we have to go out, we normally stuff my dog’s Kong with ice or other frozen treats and turn on the fan. I love the idea of the collar! Thanks for sharing that!
My friends, family/family think I’m nuts but I actually run with my DINOS Dog in the heat… We beat the heat in peace, with very few people out and about in this weather. Of course I closely manage my dog’s temperature by taking it easy, watching for signs of overheating and not going as far as we go on the cool days. My dogs seem to adjust to the heat as I do over time. Some days we stop for a drink out of the fountain at the park. When we get home, the first thing I say is “Let’s go get a bath!” (That’s a spray down with the hose.) Nothing is more refreshing after a nice run!
Before my angel Herman passed, he prone to overheating. I shortened our walks and took cold water in a special dog walking bottle. I’d also stop at a local cafe that adored Herman and would bring him ice water. Some people thought I was nuts. I’m the over protective doggie daddy people rolled their eyes at. LOL!
My dog adores this cool pad, she seeks it out to lay on when she’s hot (don’t put it in the direct sun). I’m not connected with the company…just a happy consumer http://www.thegreenpetshop.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000002 I have an English Bulldog…trust me…I know about the importance of not letting them overheat!
That’s a great tip Caryl-Rose – thanks! And, I do trust you. I know how hard it is to keep English Bulldogs cool and safe in this kind of weather!
Thanks for sharing these ‘COOL’ tips!!! We are in the 90s today in NJ! Just shared with all my FB friends!
Herman was an American Pit Bull Terrirer, so he overheated quickly too. I like the “Handi Drink” water bottle. Used it with Herman. http://www.petco.com/product/9557/Handi-Drink-Instant-Dog-Drinkers.aspx I don’t have stock in the company (or Petco) LOL!
Looks perfect for walking and drinking! Thanks Matt!
Welcome. The one I used with Herman had a strap & clip so it didn’t have to carried seperately.
Great post! If it weren’t for our AC, Murphy and I would have burst into flames already for sure here in VT. It’s not supposed to get this hot in New England! I have both the cool collar and the swamp cooler. The swamp cooler is our best friend when we go to Florida.
I’ve noticed that black dogs seem to be especially vulnerable to the heat. Has that been your experience? Because of this, I bought one of these:
http://www.horseworks.com/inc/sdetail/10096/181
It seems to help a bunch even when its dry. I think its because the color is so light and reflective. Its perfect to throw in a back pack, and it fits well under Murph’s harness when he’s working too.
My other hot weather faves are:
http://doggles.com/eyewear.html
http://www.ruffwear.com/Barkn-Boots-Grip-Trex_3
and of course:
http://www.h2o4k9.com/
Our favoritest thing ever though, is to sit in our air-conditioned apartment and wait for the sun to go down:-)
You always have great gear Kristel! Nice call on the boots. I used to hate walking dogs in Philly on days like this – I was always scanning the roads for bubbling tar that could burn their paws. And good find with that first coat. Boogie is black, but he seems oblivious to heat. If he had to work though, like Murphy does, I’d slap one of these on him!
Stay cool in VT (I don’t have a/c – we’re not supposed to need those contraptions up here – so I’m off to sweat in front of a fan)!
We don’t leave home without the cool collar on both dogs! It’s the difference in Jake being able to stay out for five minutes without it versus 20 minutes with it!
Great post and some fabulous ideas. I’m totally going to research the ice treat maker, that looks awesome. We’re big fans of the backyard pool as well.
Brilliant! Not relevant quite so often here in ‘sunny’ Scotland, but there is the odd day when it gets too hot for the dogs 😉 We keep a batch of frozen stuffed bones in the freezer (you can re-stuff over & over again like kongs) & dish these out to cool the pups down.
We have a ceiling fan (made for outside use) on our back porch. I have used a fan with a wet towel over it. Husband bought me a Dyson hot/cool fan for bedroom (bedroom coldest room in house during winter) but when I turned it to the fan the dogs loved it. Now they beg and whine till I go read/take nap during the hot hours of the afternoon. And of course the refrigerated air conditioner for down in West Texas. On really hot days add ice to outside water which for some reason they think taste better than the same water inside.