How do you keep your dog cool during the summer?

Question

Hello all. I'm a new pup owner (Pomeranian). I got him at 7 weeks in December and I love my little baby. I'm doing a great job with him however I fear the approaching summer. As it is only about 2 mths away, I was wondering if anyone could offer a few ideas about what they do to keep their little cupcakes cool and happy during the summer "while they are away at work"?

I'm not worried about how to keep him cool when I'm home. I'm figuring on a very hot day, we'd go for a cool drive in the air conditioned car if we want to get out of the air conditioned house but, what do you do when you leave for work in the day? Especially for a Pomeranian who's coat is pretty thick.

I have no desire to shave his beautiful coat. He's an AKC chocolate sable and I'm considering entering him in a show or 2 and dont want to risk damaging his gorgeous coat.

I'm considering leaving the ac on all day while I'm at work but was wondering if this is the solution for other dog owners as well? Thx!!

Answer 1

Poms are like Keeshonds. Their thick fur works as insulin to keep them cool. But they can get overheated if it's hot enough. I live in Phoenix, so I've seen a lot of hot summers. I keep the fans on durring the day and take advantage of peak hours. I also put ice in the dogs' water before I leave. I have five dogs and some don't like it, but once it melts all the way, it stays cool long enough until I get home and put some more in. Sometimes I put an icepack under or in the water, but it's not my favorite way of doing it. If you can afford keeping your air conditioning on durring the day, then do so, but it will get expensive.
A good idea is to get some of those mats (some dog beds are made of them) that are like gym mats (the ones with the plastic cover). They make a nice cool spot to lay down and take a nap. If you have tile, then this will also work.

Answer 2

I have never had a dog that I have left outside for prolong periods of time. My breed of choice is the boxer and due to their inability to breathe in temperatures over 70 degrees they are all inside dogs. To keep them cool, I have central air, have a kiddie pool which is filled and emptied several times a day so the water is always cool, I leave my sprinkler on all day and move it around for watering the lawn, so they love playing in that and they each have a cooling coat as well. I also have a fan in the kitchen so that if any of them seems to be having any difficulties I can put the fan on them to keep them from over heating. I wish I had an answer for you but I don't believe in leaving a dog outside 24/7, mine are family members that get the same treatment as we people with heat and air conditioning. Why is that she can not come in the house? ADD::: If she were better being outside then you wouldn't have asked this question in the first place. A pup that is brought up as an indoor dog would only be asking to go out to eliminate and for some play time they wouldn't be wanting to be left outside alone. The reason why the dog would not be used to being indoors is because of whoever the owners are not letting them in and being used to being nothing but a lawn ornament. So why exactly is it that the dog is not allowed in the house .. you avoided that question

Answer 3

I find it interesting that you even need to ask this question. You own a Pomeranian. Not an outside dog. Why on earth would you leave it inside in the summer without the ac on? Would you leave your kids inside the closed up house without the ac on?

Now, since the ac is going to be left on...what else do you need to do? Plenty of nice cool water. Good grooming habits.

Also curious about how long cupcake has to stay at home by himself. If he is indoors all day, and no one takes him out, how many hours does he have to hold it? Or is he paper trained?

You don't say where you live, but it can't be in Florida, because it is illegal to sell a pup younger than 8 weeks in this state. And if you live in the south, you should NOT LEAVE HIM OUTSIDE IN THE SUMMER....it gets way too hot, period.

Answer 4

Dogs cool themselves off in two ways, first by panting and second by getting wet. The first you can help by leaving several fans on in the house set up so that he can feel the air from them. This will help the moisture evaporate from his tounge faster thus cooling him better. The second can be helped by setting out a dish pan partly full of water on a tile or concrete floor. If he can get in the pan and roll in the water, it'll really cool him off. A third thing you must do even if you don't do the first two is make sure he has all the water he can drink. Get one of those dispensers that you screw a 2 liter bottle into so that he has water all day long. Dehydration is a dog's worst enemy when it comes to staying cool.

Answer 5

hello! I have a pomeranian as well. It doesnt get super hot where I live, and my house keeps pretty cool. I just make sure she has lots of water so she doesn't get dehydrated. Sometimes I put ice in her water, she likes to chew it up. I shaved her for the first time recently, and her coat did not get damaged at all. I know some show poms who do get shaved sometimes when they aren't showing.

Answer 6

Leave the AC on for your Pom. Since you are considering showing him severe frequent temperature changes can affect his thick coat.

Also if you left him in an inclosed house without AC and it became very hot it could possible harm your dog. To the point of death. When a dog gets too hot and he can not find quick relief the lining of their stomach seperates. There is little a vet can do when this happens.

Answer 7

Well, being an owner of 7 dogs, here's what I usually do:

- Leave the AC on all day
- Give them plenty of cold water
- Give them a little spray with the cool hose water before bed.
- Let them inside RIGHT after they're done their "business"
- Wipe them down with damp clothes

and so on, they seem to be doing fine..

Answer 8

I'm the same as you, I have a new puppy - a mini Aussie.
One of the things that I have read about is frozen treats. Make ice cubes treats. You can use plain water and add his favorite treats. Or add some hot water to his dry food to make a gravy, then freeze it.
They can have fun with it as well as cool down.

Answer 9

i think you are more concerned with how hot the dog is goin to get while your gone. the really cool thing about dogs, and cats for that matter .. their fur is like insulation, and works both for heat , and cold (too a point) air gets trapped inbetween the fur deep , and near the skin helping them to keep cool along with pantting wich , they do since they dont sweat .. i mean if you put a dog in a car in summer heat they cant deal with that , but at home unless it gets like 130degrees in your house the dog will be fine

Answer 10

dogs are fine they can adapt just make sure he has a dog house outside to keep him in the shade when he gets hot if u can let him in go ahead im sure he would love that if he stays inside all the time he will be fine he is much better than if he was outside