You keep your dog or cat cool during a heatwave by providing a cool, shaded area, fresh drinking water and sufficient cooling. If they overheat, wet their head, neck and paws, but not with ice-cold water. If your pet becomes listless or starts panting rapidly, call the vet immediately.
Direct answer: provide your pet with shade, fresh water and a cool place, keep the house as cool as possible during the day and watch for signs of overheating. If in doubt, call the vet.
Why do dogs and cats overheat more quickly?
Humans can release a lot of heat by sweating. Dogs and cats do this much less and rely on panting, where they evaporate moisture through their mouth and tongue. A thick coat, a flat snout or old age makes this even harder. That is why it can quickly become too hot in an enclosed home on a hot afternoon, even if you still feel fairly comfortable.
The Dierenbescherming advises providing sufficient cooling, fresh drinking water and a shaded area. That is the foundation; everything below builds on that.
Keep the house as cool as possible during the day
A cool house starts with keeping the sun out. Milieu Centraal indicates that external shading works at least twice as well as internal shading. Keep windows closed during the day and ventilate only when it is cooler outside, for example in the evening, at night and early in the morning. More tips on this can be found in our article how to keep your house cool without air conditioning.
Do not leave your pet in an enclosed room with sunlight on the window. Make sure they can choose where to lie: a tiled floor, a room on the shady side or another shaded area is often already more pleasant than a sunny corner.
Water, wetting and what not to do
Place a bowl of fresh water in several places and refresh it regularly. If your pet is too hot, take them to a cool place and give them fresh drinking water. The Dierenbescherming states that you can wet dogs, cats and rabbits, especially the head, ears, neck and paws. Do not use ice-cold water: this causes the blood vessels to constrict and makes it harder for the animal to release body heat. Let a dog that likes water bathe its paws or swim, but do not let it dry off in the full sun afterwards. An animal that drinks too much water can also get into trouble; so just offer water and do not force anything.
A fan or air cooler as a supplement
An airflow can make the environment more pleasant, especially in a room where the heat lingers. A fan does not lower the room temperature; it only moves air. The RIVM notes that a fan or air conditioner does not ventilate, but only moves air. How to use a fan cleverly during extreme heat can be read in how to use a fan during a heatwave. Always place the device out of reach of teeth and claws, put the cord away and make sure your pet can walk away if they do not like the breeze.
The Dynter AirFlow AV25G Fan
The AV25G is a pedestal fan that you can adjust in height from 80 to 125 cm and that oscillates to spread the air widely. Place it in a stable spot.
Air speed: 5.3 m/s
Settings: control knob with three speed settings
Consumption: 55W (AC motor)
Weight: 3.49 kg
Want a more compact device? The Dynter SM211 air cooler is a cordless air cooler measuring 16.5 x 16.5 x 17 cm that you fill with water and/or ice. Whether that is enough in your situation can be read in does an air cooler really work in hot weather.
Recognize overheating early
The Dierenbescherming lists red mucous membranes, a warm-feeling body, rapid breathing, loss of appetite and listlessness as signs. Dogs can also vomit. In heatstroke, there is a rapid heart rate and breathing and little or no reaction to stimuli. Then, according to the Dierenbescherming, you must call the vet immediately and start cooling. A fan or air cooler is never a substitute for veterinary help.
Overview: what helps when?
| Situation | What do you do? | Pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Warm day, pet is calm | Shade, fresh water, cool place | Refresh water more often |
| Pet is panting a lot | To a cool place, wet the head, neck and paws | No ice-cold water |
| House is heating up | Keep sun out, ventilate at night | Keep windows closed during the day |
| Listless, vomiting or rapid breathing | Call the vet immediately and cool | Do not wait |
View the Dynter AV25G fan in grey, the Dynter SM211 air cooler or all air coolers and fans from Dynter to make your living space more pleasant.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wet my dog to cool them down?
Yes, according to the Dierenbescherming you can wet dogs, especially the head, ears, neck and paws. Do not use ice-cold water, because that makes heat release more difficult.
Does a fan help my cat?
An airflow can make the environment more pleasant, but a fan does not lower the temperature. Always also provide shade, water and a cool place.
When should I go to the vet?
In case of rapid breathing and heart rate, listlessness, vomiting or little reaction to stimuli. Call the vet immediately and start cooling.
How often should I refresh the water?
As often as necessary to keep it cool and fresh. In warm weather, place a bowl in several places.