What is the best way to keep your dog cool this summer?

Question

We recently purchased an Alaskan Malamute but with this recent heat wave are struggling to keep him cool? Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I keep mine inside with air conditioning. But there is always a swimming pool or the lake. You can buy a "cool pad" for your dog to lay on. A cold wet towel works well, too. Make sure he has plenty of shade and water.

This is a cooling pad/bed.
http://www.bullwrinkle.com/Assets/Images/Product/canine-cooler-pet-bed.jpg

Answer 2

First of all, he should be living in the house. Dogs are social animals and they need to be with their pack. If he is an inside dog the only thing you would really have to worry about is how to keep him cool on walks. My husband and I have two American Pit Bull Terriers and we live in central Florida so, it gets really, really, hot and humid.. besides wetting them down with a water hose before their walks we haven't been able to figure out any good ways to keep them cool. We have just stared taking them for a bunch of short walks instead of 2 or 3 long walks. Just the other day it was 88 degrees and I was scared the dogs were going to over heat on their walk.. today it's 95 degrees!!! Our dogs have short fur and if we were to leave them outside all day they would have a heat stroke! Your dog, being a breed with long, thick fur, would over heat way faster than our dogs! Alaskan Malamutes are not a breed that can be left outside in the heat for any long amount of time and be okay. I don't know where you live, but if it gets any where near as hot as it does here that poor thing should definitely not be an outside dog! Again, no matter what breed the dog is and no matter what the weather is like, dogs should be inside. Like I said, dogs are social animals and they need to be with their pack. If, for whatever, he has to be an outside dog, I would suggest that you make sure he has more than enough fresh water at all times, make sure he has shelter and plenty of shade, you could maybe even fill a kiddie pool with some water and put it in the shade somewhere for him. I definitely would not suggest shaving him, his fur acts like an insulator, if it's too hot his fur will help cool him down and if it's too cold his fur will help warm him up. I hope you figure out something that will work for you and your new family member. Good luck! : )

Answer 3

You did not say where you live, but I think it's wrong to have dogs outside the regions where they where bred & designed to live. I had neighbors who had a malamute in Michigan, and she does quite well there, but it's hot in the humid Michigan Summers... the winters, I see that dog lying in ice, and panting, becuase she's Hot! The only thing you can do is to comb your dog a lot to take away some of that insulating fur, located beneath the surface... these dogs have an "undercoat" that protects them from extreme cold, and it should be brushed away in the spring, and summer seasons. Otherwise do what you'd do for yourself; air conditioning, or being in a well ventilated area (with the wind blowing, or shade, etc.) but please don't forget the brushing part, take away that undercoat, and he'll cool down a bit better... finally, if you've got access to a lake or pool, try that too. When you're training your new pup, train him to go into the water, get him used to it, and make sure he likes it. Of course your dog has instincts, even if he can't talk to you, he'll do what he can to keep himself cool (shade, lots of water, etc). Remember NOT to take him in the car with ya, unless you're going somewhere he can get out with you! a dog can die in about 5-10 min (same as a baby) if left locked in a car! Speaking of taking a ride... if it gets real hot, go for a ride in the car, and take your dog to PetSmart, or Petco! it's airconditioned, and he can walk around on the leash with you! I take my dog everywhere I can; every business I go to, every store (except stores with open food; produce & meat, it's illegal to bring dogs in, unless they're assisted living dogs... like that makes them cleaner than any well behaved dog!). I know we all have to work, but when you're away from home, he'll find a cool spot... if you have a basement, etc. If you have an upstairs, leave the windows open... stuff like that. It's great you care enough to ask, I wish more people where like you! Anyway, that's about all I have for ya, I hope this was helpful!

Marcos

Answer 4

We live in Texas & we have an Alaskan Malamute/wolf. We just keep her inside in the a/c & make sure she has plenty of cold water for her to drink. If your malamute is outside, spray him down with the water hose once or twice a day, be sure he has access to plenty of shade & cold water. Malamutes love to be able to go in & out when they want to though. So you might consider letting him into the house during the heat of the day at least.

P.S. DO NOT shave or clip a malamute!!!! The fur they have helps to keep them cooled down believe it or not! They have a double coat that serves to keep them warm in cold weather & cooler in hot weather.

Answer 5

Get a child's play pool. Dogs love to jump in the water. Put ice in the water bowl. Keep the dog inside on those very hot days. Put the dog out in the morning, before its really hot. Bathe the dog on those hot days.

Answer 6

- keep him indoors except for potty breaks
- lots of water, put some ice in it if you want
- professional grooming to brush out all the undercoat- DO NOT SHAVE HIM! That will ruin his coat insulation and cause him to overheat even faster.
- try not to take him for walks if the temperature is above 80- maybe look for an air conditioned doggie day care to keep him amused indoors
- most sled dogs don't like swimming, but if he happens to be interested, give it a shot.
- place a large floor-fan somewhere cool like the basement or kitchen for him to lay in front of- a lot of cold weather dogs love this.

Answer 7

yes this is hard, put some ice cubes in his water bowl/gravity drinker, air con units are good, or a fan. Do you have a lake/sea near by he could use. Hair cut may help. Change his bedding, maybe you have a fluffy bed, try a cotton one etc. Cant think of any more at the moment. will edit if i come up with anything else, good luck, hope your sun shine lasts, as we have thunder.

Answer 8

We give our dog ice cubes, this helps cool them quicker since they enpend heat via their tongue (ie. panting) so it also works in reverse. Also, you have to remember Malamute's are not a "heat" type dog, so the advice your getting is good. Keep it indoors as much as possible and plenty of water.

Answer 9

well if he is an outside dog I suggest have the 5 gallon water jugs in free flow bowl for him and also have a kiddie pool for him to go and lay in when he wants. Its another source of water and something he can play in and keep cool. A way to keep it clean as well as the water jug is to place small (and I do mean small) pieces of chlorine

Answer 10

Lots of water and a nice shady place for him to stay out of the sun, and if he must be out doors how about a mister system to help cool the air around him.