When temperatures rise in the summer, your dog can really feel the heat.

Keeping your dog cool is vital for its well being, as heat stroke in dogs is a life-threatening condition.

Warning signs include panting excessively, moving sluggishly, acting woozy, and losing consciousness. If you observe any of these signs, call your vet immediately.

Walk your dog when it’s cooler 

Avoid taking your dog out when the sun is at its hottest. Stick to early morning and late evening walks when the sun is lower in the sky and the pavements have cooled down.

Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, find a shady spot and give your dog water.

Be particularly careful with short nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.

Dog cooling vests are a great option for preventing overheating because they can be rewetted while you’re out so that they can provide longer acting cooling effects;

Other than cooling vests, there are also cooling mats and cooling beds that you can use to prevent or deal with a dog who is  overheating.

Buy a raised dog house to provide shade and a nice place to cool down. Make sure it is well-ventilated.

Get a doggy bed made specifically for cooling down your canine friend.

Keep your dog hydrated 

One of the most important things you can do in the hot weather is offering your dog constant access to a fresh, cool water source. Keep a close eye on your dog’s water bowl and top it up regularly. When you’re heading out on walks, carry a water bottle and a collapsible dish and take regular breaks to let your dog rehydrate.

Make cool treats

Frozen dog treats is one of the great ways on how to cool down a dog and keep your pooch cool during hot months and they’re easy and affordable to make. Help your canine chill from the inside out. For puppy ice pops, make ice cubes with tasty treats inside. Or fill and freeze a chew toy to make a chilly snack. 

One of the easiest methods and ways on how to cool down a dog when he's overheated is to take a towel and soak it with cool water. Place the wet towel on your dog’s underbelly being sure to cover the inner thighs to speed up cooling by cooling the dog's femoral artery.

Regular grooming will also keep your dog’s coat healthy and eliminate tangles and mats that can prevent the free flow of air on your dog’s skin.

Never leave your dog in a hot car

It is never okay to leave a dog in a parked car on a hot day – even if you’re popping into the shop for two minutes. Your dog could very quickly become dangerously overheated and there’s even a chance they die of heatstroke in less than 15 minutes.

If your hot then imagine how your dog is feeling!