Unfortunately, our pets are not immune to heat-related stress. That’s why it’s so important to practice summer pet safety, especially at night when it might seem like everything is fine. Even though your pet might go in for a checkup twice a year, as recommended by your vet, it’s up to you to practice good pet care at home.

Here are several great tips for keeping your pet cool at night this summer.

Is your pet overheating at night?

As we mentioned above, summer nights can be just as problematic as summer days for your pet. For example, one sign your dog is too hot at night is heavy panting in a setting where they’re otherwise calm and happy. Heavy panting could also indicate dehydration — is your dog’s water bowl still full? Is the water cool enough for them to drink? Make sure you’re providing enough fluids for them throughout the day.

While there’s no hard and fast rule about how hot is too hot for dogs, keep the breed in mind. Do you have a dog who loves the snow? They may be prone to more heat-related stress than a dog with a thin coat. In addition, your dog’s ears are a good indicator of how comfortable they’re feeling. If your dog’s ears feel hot to the touch, you need to get them into a cooler environment. Don’t count on the sun going down to solve your pup’s heat-related issues!

How can I keep my dog cool?

Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can make sure your dog stays cool during these muggy summer nights. Here are a few options you might want to consider investing in for your furry friend this season.

  • Use an air conditioner — It sounds obvious, but far too many pet owners only worry about themselves when buying and installing air conditioners. You don’t need to purchase the most expensive AC unit, but running cool air in the room your dog sleeps is can help them stay cool, calm, and healthy over the summer.
  • Use plenty of fresh, cool water — You shouldn’t just give your dog water a few times a day — especially over the summer. As much as you can, refill their bowl with cool water. It’s important to note, however, you shouldn’t give your dog ice water if you think he or she is overheated because this can cause them to cool down too quickly and lead to shock.
  • Apply cool towels — Set aside a few towels and soak them in cold water. Then simply use the wet towels to cool your dog: apply the towels over the neck, under the forelimbs, between hind legs, and across their back.
  • Invest in a cooling pad — Technology has given us some amazing ways to care for our pets. Cooling pads are just one of them! In fact, you can probably find dog beds with cooling pads in them. This is a great addition to your dog cooling routine.

Your pet is part of your family and plays an essential role in your home. And it’s your job to keep them safe and happy all throughout the year. If you take these keeping your pet cool at night tips into account, you and your pets should have a happy, healthy summer.

You don’t need to wait for an emergency to become familiar with our veterinary services. If you want to learn more about how to prepare your pets for a monsoon, get the best care you can find for all of your pet’s health needs. We are more than just an animal hospital. Contact us today or directly call us at 520-888-3177 for more information about our specialty and 24-hour emergency services.