[Lara's mom]

Since many parts of North America suffer from terrible heat and humidity at various times of the year, I'd be very interested to know what the members do to ensure that their pups are kept cool and comfortable when the weather is unbearable.

[crstev]

There are several things I've done in the past few days of high heat and humidity in CT for Alvin, 6+ months and Simon, 11 weeks:
1) They play in their fenced in area early morning and early evening only - it's been too hot during the day.
2) I make sure they have plenty of water even though that practically guarantees the younger pup will have an accident.
3) They stay in the air conditioned kitchen when they're not outdoors.

Question for forum members - can you safely feed dogs ice cubes one at a time?

[CorkyMax]

Lol, I really don't do much but make sure the basement door is part way open for Corky. He practically lives down there when it is hot. Now Max I can't do much with as he has to be in the same place I am. I don't have air but do have the ceiling fans on and a fan I keep in the living room window. I make sure they have cold water in their stainless steel bowl--add ice cubes too throughout the day. Have to practically 'push' them out the doggie door to go potty. They mostly just lay around in the house.

crstev----About ice cubes---I have given mine ice cubes before but they don't really want them anymore---age may have something to do with it--teeth prob. not as good as a younger dog's--Corky has had 5 pulled this year! I also think (your question) it depends on your dog and how he acts with them. I would mostly be concerned if the dog liked to try to crush/chew them--maybe hard on the teeth. If swallowed them whole--prob. wouldn't hurt them unless a very small dog?? But I prob. wouldn't give mine any more if they made a habit of this. Ya know--there are actually recipes for 'pupsicles' and the like which would be about the same as giving ice cubes. Lol, Now if your dogs would just like licking them--that would be the best way!

[Lara's mom]

I've had my AC running 24/7 for the past few days. There is a fan blowing directly onto our bed. The heat and humidity have been awful. We've been out walking very early in the morning and after the sun goes down. I always take water with me for the girls.

About the ice cubes, try freezing some low sodium beef or chicken stock in the ice cube tray. They're just like a puppy popsicle!

[UnderDog]

Tips for keeping dogs cool:

Make sure your dog always has shade
Soak a few big bath towels and pile them on top of each other outside in the shade for your dog to lay on
Frozen carrots/apples, whole with peel
Frozen raw beef marrow bones (NOT the cooked kind you get in pet shops - go ask your butcher for beef shin bones/marrow bones)
Mix up raw fish, raw meat mince and water to make a paste, put into small cups and freeze over night, feed.

[Lunareclipse]

My dogs go and stick their heads in the fridge when I open it. Not sure if it's to get cool, or if it's the smell of food. Don't know what goes through their little doggy brains sometimes.

[oes forever]

depending on the dog, shave the armpits and belly so they can get to a cool floor more easily.
wet towels for them to lie on as mentioned before.
you can get cooling collars too. not tried them, i live in the uk, we dont have this problem too much!
the frozen food works a treat but beware of the mess lol!

[Lara's mom]

My border collie Bailey has what I refer to as a military shave - she looks like an overgrown JRT but, she's way cooler than she'd be with that thick long coat. Lara, My shorty JRT doesn't have much hair to begin with. You can see the spots on her legs through the hair and her tummy is as bald as an egg!

I give them a few "pupsicles" every day and put them in a slightly cool shower and then take them out to dry themselves. That seems to help. I also add ice to their water to keep it nice and cold.

[Lara's mom]

Judging by my dogs, that "head in the fridge" thing serves a dual purpose. It does provide a nice blast of cold air. However, it also helps them to ascertain what the human contingent is planning for their supper!