Keeping a dog wet in hot weather

**pv7636a** · 08-05-2002, 05:58 PM

I have a 12 year old Field Spaniel Mix (80% - 20 % unknown). I keep his coat to an inch or less during the summer (in Wisconsin). On 90+ days, does it help to cool him down with water or does it make him hotter, as his coat becomes somewhat matted down?

**Crikit** · 08-05-2002, 06:20 PM

I know that in the hot weather both of my dogs like to be wet down with cool water or rapped in a towel just to help ward off the heat...of course this doesn't always help with them both being mostly black.

If you really don't want to wet the dog down though becuase of the matting of the fur you can actually get things that do the trick without actually making the dog wet. They now have these cooling pads out that you soak in water drain out and put in the fridge for a while then you put them in a cover of sorts and it's sort of like a cold pillow for the dog. There's also a vest like that avaliable that you should be able to buy at dog shows or maybe specailty shops....of course there's always the cheap version of the cooling pad and that's getting cooling packs throwing them in the freezer then putting them in a pillow or dog bed. If you still want to wet the dog down but don't want to wet the whole dog try wetting the stomach as that's a major part that regulates body temp.

**Dixieland Dancer** · 08-05-2002, 06:25 PM

Water reflects light so it actually draws the sun down on the dog if it's wet. It is recommended to only wet the belly of the dog and it's pad if you need to cool them off and only have water available. The new cool pads are wonderful.

If the dog can be swimming then being all wet is great!

**sottice** · 08-06-2002, 06:18 PM

We have a kiddie swimming pool for our cats and dogs. Our shepherd likes it the most. He gets in and uses his front feet to splash the water on his stomach and back legs.

The cats *accidentally* fall over in it sometimes while swatting at who knows what in the water.

**pv7636a** · 08-06-2002, 06:50 PM

Thanks all for the help. I always suspected that it actually made him hotter, your replies confirm that. I'll try the belly part next time we get into the 90s.

**mugsy** · 08-06-2002, 09:46 PM

Thanks pv for asking a good question. Our Sox LOVES to get sprayed with the hose, so I will keep the info in mind next time. Btw...where are you in WI??? My parents used to have a home near Hayward.

**ChewmonkeyBC** · 08-08-2002, 03:21 PM

HI,
I put one of those Green Turtle sand boxes in the dog pen full of water and me and my cousin pulled a Tarp over one of the corners of the pen to make shade because in the dog pen there isnt much shade,i try to keep the pool under the shade,i keep their water dish uned the shade to,and on the porch where it is cool as well,this seems to work very well,and they love it.......
good luck
-Kayla

**Dogz** · 08-10-2002, 06:02 PM

I have a pond a pond in my feild, and my dogs go in there and swim, and then they go into the shade. I think I know a website that has tips for dogs on a hot summer day. I will look.

**ChewmonkeyBC** · 08-10-2002, 06:33 PM

I have a small garden pond that the dogs like to go into,i dont really mind rite now because we dont have any fish in it,but they do enjoy that too......

-Kayla

**belles_momma15** · 08-11-2002, 06:23 PM

our new addition (belle the malamute) is scared to go into our kitchen and drink water from her bowl, or eat(that is where her bowl is) and some people told us not to bring the dishes to her because then she'll always expect that, but she does have lots of fur and i don't want her to get dehydrated...what to do?