Keeping Pets Cool in the Summer Inside & Outside Your Home!

By Gail Mayhugh

It sure was nice there for a while with our 90-degree temperatures, but summer is officially here. So here are a few tips to keep our furry family members safe and comfortable when inside and outside.

1 Cover it up

Always have a shaded area outside where they can go under to cool down. Pets sunburn just like us, especially shorthaired dogs. It can be a dog house with air conditioning and/or misters (yes, my girlfriend had both for her pups), a fun cabana or a simple raised pet cot with an attached canopy. I like the raised pet cot because it gets them off the hot ground as well as under cover. All these items will give them shade from our blazing sun.

Many pets enjoy laying in the sun rays streaming through the window, but if your pets are crated, you need to protect them since they can’t get up and move away. I know you may not want them in the dark, but you can tilt the blinds. If you have side drapery panels, put up a second rod behind and pull across light filtering panels during the day. Roller shades are also a good option. They come in attractive light filtering materials and stack to a few inches when not in use.

2 Time for a car ride

If you take your pets on rides, it’s important to keep them out of direct sunlight. To give them coverage from the sun, sunscreens on the side and back windows work great. They’ll help keep Gigi and even you cooler.

If you crate your pets in the car, remember the metal ones get as hot as your steering wheel. A good summer alternative is a soft kennel crate. They even have fabric tube ones that secure to your headrests in the back seat, which are pretty cool.

3 Beddy-bye time

My girls love their fuzzy bedcovers, but they get warm. Think of laying on a fleece blanket and how warm you get, even with the air conditioner on. So for the summer, look for one that is 100% cotton. Cotton is a natural fiber that allows air to circulate and move more freely through the fabric.

Another option is pressure activated self cooling pads. They use a non-toxic gel that absorbs body heat and reduces their temperature without water, electricity or refrigeration and even recharges. They’re great for both inside and outside.

4 Blowing in the wind

We keep our A/C on average at 77degrees and use fans throughout the house. When we’re not home our girls are crated, so along with a ceiling fan, we have a standing fan in the room. I like the air circulator fans versus oscillating. This way the air is not blowing directly on them but gentling moving the air around in the room. It’s amazing how the temperature drops when we have them on.

5 Just Chilling

We have cooling bed pads, fans, and fabrics, but there’s more. Whether you take your pup for a walk or they just like spending time outside, keeping them cool is just as important as it is for us. Always think that if you’re hot so are they. So consider getting a cooling collar, which is a bandana or towel like we use. Those specifically made for dogs have quick release buckles. These are great for those pups who like to run around in the yard like my Matilda.

For those long walks or breeds that are prone to overheating, consider a cooling vest which will keep them cooler longer.

Let’s not forget their paws. If you’re going to walk your dog in our sweltering heat, you need to be a responsible parent and make sure they have some paw protection. I know many will think this is unnecessary but take the test. Take your shoes off and walk barefooted with your pet on the hot pavement. I doubt you’ll make it five feet.

6 Cool and refreshing

We have three sets of water bowls in our house. One in each of their crates, two in the kitchen and two on the patio. I’m a believer that pets should have access to water at all times, just like we do. In the summer, the water doesn’t stay cool even with ice cubes. However, now there are cooling ceramic dog bowls. The bowls are made out of a unique ceramic material that keeps the water cold for up to 6 hours.

As our temperatures soar, keeping our pets cool is a part of responsible pet ownership. Every pet is different so watch your pet to see how they handle the heat. Learn about the signs of heatstroke at www.PetMD.com.

Always remember – if you're hot, so are your pets.

Gail Mayhugh, the owner of GMJ Interior Design has been designing in Las Vegas for over 25 years. She also supports animal rescues and shelters through her non-profit, www.SeniorsToTheRescue.org. Enriching the lives of older adults and helping animals one project at a time.