Hot weather can be dangerous for pets, particularly dogs. Do you know how to keep a dog cool in the house while you are away or otherwise occupied with work and other activities? It’s essential to pay attention to family heating and cooling systems and get regular air conditioning service so your units can maintain a steady temperature even during the hottest months when dogs are often indoors.
It’s important to know how to cool down a dog and know what to do when your dog is in heat, literally speaking. For example, learn the proper temperature range for your pet’s health. Additional things you can do to keep your dog from overheating include using a programmable thermostat.
Another way of knowing how to keep a dog cool inside the house is related to the proper use of fans and windows. Finally, find out about the most common signs of hypothermia in dogs. Here are some suggestions and guidelines so you can know what to do when outdoor temperatures reach dangerous levels.
Temperature
Maintain indoor temperatures between 24 and 25.5 C (75-78 F) so your pet doesn’t become too hot. Knowing what to do when your dog is in heat, in the literal sense, means keeping temperatures in the right range.
Stable Water Dishes
Place one or two stable dishes, that won’t tip over if the dog bumps into them, around your home. Knowing how to cool down a dog by providing a constant supply of water could save your pet’s life.
Fans
Remember to get regular air conditioning service visits from a licensed expert to make sure the AC units are working as they should be. Plus, consider leaving one or two fans in strategic locations so the air circulates while you are away. Animals cool down much faster when the air around them is in motion.
Easiest: Programmable Thermostat
One of the wisest ways to get the most efficient family heating and cooling use from your air conditioner and keep your dog comfortable at the same time is to use a programmable thermostat. It’s usually best to set the device so that it comes on, even in your absence, when temps reach 25.5 C (78 F). That way, your dog will never be in danger of suffering a heat-related ailment.
Hyperthermia Signs
Know the common signs of hyperthermia in dogs and try to cool an animal down as quickly as possible if they appear to be suffering. Here are some of the symptoms.
- An unsteady walk, or inability to walk correctly
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling or panting for a long period of time
- Muscle tremors
- Fainting
- Any amount of blood in urine or stool
Cooling Mats
Consider getting a cooling mat for your dog. The animal will instinctively know to use the mat whenever heat becomes a problem. Plus, the mats are a fast way to decrease a dog’s body temperature by about four degrees C (seven degrees F).
In the end, don’t leave dogs unattended for a very long period of time, even if your AC unit is set to maintain safe temperatures and you did other changes in your home to keep them safe while you are away.