25/05/2026
🐾 🚨 BEAT THE HEAT: Groomer-Approved Ways to Keep Your Pup Cool! 🚨🐾
Wow, it is absolutely scorching out there! Because dogs can’t sweat like we do (they only release a tiny bit of heat through their paw pads), they rely heavily on panting to stay cool—and in a major heatwave, panting sometimes just isn't enough.
To help your furry best friends stay safe, comfortable, and out of the emergency vet clinic, here are my top tips for cooling down your dog's body temperature right now:
☀️ 1. Shift Your Walk Times (And Use the 5-Second Rule!)
Avoid taking your dog out during the peak heat of the day. Stick to early morning or late evening h or artificial grass for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot for your skin, it will instantly burn your dog's sensitive paw pads. Stick to the grass!
💧 2. Cool from the Bottom Up
If your dog is looking hot, don't wrap a wet towel over their back—this actually traps heat against their body like a greenhouse. Instead:
Pour room-temperature (not ice-cold) water over their paws and undercarriage.
Set up a shallow paddling pool in a shaded spot. Dogs cool down rapidly when their paws and bellies are wet.
🧊 3. Get Smart with Chill Zones
Swap out intense physical play for indoor brain games and puzzle toys to keep them stimulated without raising their internal body temperature.
Place cooling mats or a frozen water bottle wrapped in a tea towel in their favorite resting spots.
Offer soft, chilled treats (like refrigerated dog-safe fruits or a stuffed Kong) to cool them from the inside out.
🛑 Know the Red Flags: Heatstroke Signs
Heatstroke can happen fast. If you notice any of these symptoms, move your dog to a cool area immediately, start dousing them with cool water, and call your vet right away:
⚠️ Continuous, frantic, or excessively heavy panting
⚠️ Thick, sticky drool or bright red/purple gums
⚠️ Lethargy, weakness, or stumbling/dizziness
⚠️ Vomiting or collapse