Kim Possible 3d ago

A few points about keeping your dog cool in the heat. You already know about shade and fans, and that their bare feet burn on hot pavement just like you.

Do try to cool their pads and their fur, but avoid the top of their head. The pads are the most effective area to target with a cool damp towel. The evaporation will help.

If they like water, and you have a tub big enough, a cooling tub of water is great for short periods of time, with breaks. They might also enjoy jumping through a sprinkler (in the shade) or the light spray of a garden hose. Heck, you might join in!

Be careful about ice. Maybe one or two ice cubes in their water, but not more. Drinking very cold water, like ice water, can cause terrible stomach cramps for a dog. And they will need more drinking water than usual.

Tell your dog I said Hi!

Show threadEveryday.Human Derek
@kimlockhartga Thank you ! Do you have cat tips too!
Jun 24 at 2:48pmWeb
Show threadKim Possible 3d ago
@EVDHmn I don't know much about helping cats keep cool. My only suggestion is to put some cold water in a tightly sealed bag with room for expansion, top it with a towel, and see if the cat will lie down on it, like a waterbed.
Show threadHappyCrow133d ago
@EVDHmn @kimlockhartga I have a bunch of cheap reusable icepacks from the dollar store. I put one in their water bowl, and leave other ones on the couch or counter covered with towels for them to lay on.
Lots of fans and wiping down with wet\damp rags. Don't soak them, just get their fur a bit wet. I have a couple floofy boys I do that too, they like it.
Show threadKim Possible 3d ago
@HappyCrow13 @EVDHmn there ya go.
Show threadSolitha3d ago

@EVDHmn One of the things I remember from the heat wave we endured was to keep an eye out for panting.

Dogs pant normally, but housecats don't. A panting cat is a sign that it may need cooling intervention.

Our cat showed her first signs of "too much" by splooting on the cooler linoleum floor. Then we started rubbing her down with a cold wet towel, which she didn't much appreciate.

In these times, keeping longer fur shaved down in summer may be a preventative measure.

@kimlockhartga

Show thread@shezza_t3d ago

@EVDHmn I second the suggestion to dampen their fur now and then. Another thing that works for #SamCat is cooling the kitchen lino with an ice pack or water. He chooses the cooler spots to sploot on.

And when he was a tiny, hyper kitten in a heatwave, we did this: https://mastodon.ie/@shezza_t/114042386319232663

@kimlockhartga

@shezza_t (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 image 21/07/2021: Cool cat on a hot day. That's a damp sheet of kitchen roll that I put in the freezer til it was crisp. He was happy under it til it started to melt. Now he's beside it with his nose on it. #SamCat

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