Smart Ways to Keep Cool at Home 

• Set up a garden paddling pool: A shallow pool of water is a brilliant way for dogs to cool off and have a bit of fun. Just remember that not all dogs are natural water babies, so always let them decide for themselves if they want to get their paws wet. 

• Ensure good airflow and create shade: Keeping the air conditioning on or positioning fans around the house makes a massive difference. Good airflow is absolutely essential indoors, especially in upstairs rooms or spaces that tend to get warm quickly. Shutting your blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the afternoon is also incredibly effective at keeping those rooms wonderfully shaded and cool. 

• Provide designated cool resting spots: Ensure your pets have access to cool tiled floors or invest in a few cooling mats. This gives them the perfect environment to simply lounge in peace and regulate their body temperature. Just like our clinic friend Jeremy the cat, they might find a cool spot and refuse to move until September! 

 

Tasty Hydration and Frozen Treats 

• Sneak extra water into their routine: Hydration is absolutely key during a heatwave. Simply popping a few ice cubes into their daily water bowl is a fantastic quick fix. You can also try soaking their regular dry kibble in water at meal times to easily get more fluids into their system. 

• Create an ice lolly treasure hunt: Freeze pet safe vegetables like carrots or peas inside a large container of water. As the ice slowly melts outside in the shade, it gives your dog a deliciously cool and hydrating challenge that exercises their brain too. 

• Blend a savoury summer slushie: For a truly pampered treat, mix some low salt pet safe stock with water and ice cubes in a blender. This creates a delicious frozen slushie that keeps them happily occupied while bringing their internal temperature right down. 

 

Enjoying a Morning Sniffari 

• Change your walking times: Stick to the early morning or late evening when the ground is much cooler. 

• Swap runs for sniffs: Trade strenuous midday runs for gentle walks where your dog can just sniff the grass to their heart’s content. 

• Do the five second pavement test: Place the back of your hand flat on the tarmac. If it is too hot to hold for five seconds, it is absolutely too hot for your dog to walk on and will cause severe burns. 

 

A Gentle Reminder on Summer Safety 

• Never leave pets in cars: Vehicles become fatal ovens within minutes, even when parked in the shade with the windows open. 

• Watch for heatstroke: Look out for heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, lethargy, or vomiting. Heatstroke is a severe veterinary emergency. 

 

If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, move them to a cool place immediately, offer small sips of cool water, apply damp towels to their paws, and contact Taylor Vets straight away.