Keeping Dogs Cool for Summer: Dogs Can't Sweat like Humans

I'm the proud mother to a blue heeler/shepherd mixed dog named Jake. He's my pride and joy, and I regularly get told by my kids that I treat Jake better than I treat them! I do! Jake is currently only nine months old, but he's already a 70 plus pound bundle of energy.

If you have dogs, especially if you love them the way I love my Jake, it's important to understand that dogs can't sweat like people do. When the summer heat hits, we sweat to cool down. Dogs, on the other hand, only have a limited number of sweat glands. Surprisingly, the vet tells me dogs' sweat glands are in the pads of their feet!

However, the sweat glands dogs do have aren't enough to cool a dog down when the heat index rises in the summer. Another way dogs cool down is to constrict blood vessels in the face, head and ears. This is an autonomic response from the dog and not something he or she can control. Again, unfortunately, it's not enough to keep a dog cool.

So how do dogs cool down? They pant.

Panting is the primary means a dog has to cool down. When you see a dog with his tongue hanging out, that's his way of saying, "I'm hot!"

Unfortunately for your little woof-woof, panting is a very inefficient way of cooling down. The air travels over the saliva and tongue and works to cool the dog similar to the way an evaporated air conditioner passes are through water-drenched pads.

What does this mean for Fido?

It means that to keep your dog cool during the heat of the summer, you should take several steps. Let's look at a few of them.

Have Plenty of Shade for Your Dog

Dogs have fur coats. Can you imagine wearing a fur coat that is tight fitting during 95 degree temperatures while in the sun? Your dog does this. If you don't keep your dog inside your home with you, it is imperative your dog have PLENTY of shade where he or she can rest.

Keep Plenty of Water for Your Dog

Whether inside or outside, dogs need more water during the summer, not only for hydration, but to wet the tongue, rinse the saliva from the tongue and cool off. Dogs will drink more and play with water more during the summer months so be sure to offer more water, and ensure it is always fresh. If you have an outside dog, consider getting the type of water bowl that connects to a water hose so it will continuously refill as the dog drinks during the day.

Reduce Fatty Foods During the Summer

Our vet said it was best to go with a lower fat dog food for our big dog during the summer, to help keep Jake lean and slender, and thus cooler. Heavier dogs will stay hotter than healthy weight dogs. Ask your vet before changing your dog's diet.

NEVER Keep Dogs in Enclosed Places During the Summer

NEVER put your dog in an enclosed car, vehicle, camper, trailer, tent, or any other location where the dog cannot move around freely, reach water, etc, or where the temperatures are likely to be higher than the temperatures outside. The inside of cars can quickly reach triple digits of more than 120-150 degrees in the heat of the summer, and your dog doesn't have the natural defenses to protect himself.

A dog left alone in an enclosed space, even with water, for any length of time is likely to have a stroke or die.

If you are caught leaving your animal in an enclosed space, you can face possible criminal charges, some of which might even be a felony.

If you are unsure of your dog's health or how to keep your dog safe this summer, be sure to consult your veterinarian for additional information.

Woof!

Oh, and Jake says he likes swimming to keep cool in the summer.