This summer was terrifyingly hot. Many countries in the Northern Hemisphere were plagued by extreme heatwaves that broke all the records. A lot of people also suffered from the consequences of that heat – excessive rain that caused flooding and droughts that helped fires swallow up huge expanses of land.
With summer temperatures increasing every year, many pet owners are getting more and more concerned, too. This year, a lot of them were forced to consider how to keep their four-legged buddies safe during extreme heat.
The list below shows the most ingenious pet attempts to fight the heat. From licking ice cubes to hiding in fridges, pets are using many creative ways to stay cool.
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It's Kinda Hot In Turkey
Of course, when it comes to heat, pets cannot save themselves. They do need our help to manage such high temperatures.
First things first—it’s important to keep your pets inside. This is somewhat easier with cats who do not need much daily exercise. As for dogs, you’ll have to be more prepared.
Start by planning your walks. Try limiting them to 15 minutes and only go out in the morning, before the heat reaches its peak, and in the evening, when it subsides. This is especially important for short-nosed pets like French bulldogs and pugs, whose inherent difficulty breathing is made even worse by warm temperatures.
What Else To Do On A Hot Summer Day?
This Guy In Azerbaijan Heat Didn't Want His Dogs Paws To Burn, So He Pulled Him In The Cooler
The pavement often gets really hot during the day, and it can damage your dog’s paws. A good way to see if that’s the case is to stand on the pavement yourself—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.
That is why it is best to avoid asphalt and paved walkways when taking a walk and opt for a grassy area instead. If that is not possible, you might need to invest in dog booties to protect your four-legged friend.
Hot Day
That's My Pool But Not My Dog
Our Puppy Loves Ice On Hot Days
Staying at home can, of course, be a problem for very active dogs. Still, experts suggest to try to come up with indoor activities for your pet. This can be food puzzles, searching for hidden toys, and brushing up on or learning a new trick or two.
How We Beat The Heat In Australia. Ice Cold Can On A Warm Belly
Shop Owner Lets Stray Dogs Sleep In His Store So They Could Cool Down During Hot Weather
Just Bought An A/C. He Sleeps All Day With His Butt Facing It
When heatwaves hit, always keep water in mind. That means taking a bottle with you when going for a walk and keeping the hydration up when at home. If you have a back yard or a terrace, swap out the outside metal bowl with plastic so that they don’t get hot in the sun. You can also fill up a little pool for your pet and see if it likes to take a dip. Make sure to place it in the shade, though, to limit sun exposure.
Just Three Wieners In A Floaty On A Hot Summer Day
When My Corgi Gets Hot, This Is What She Does
Our Cat Having His Tummy Fanned On A Super Hot Day
You can also get a little creative when trying to help your pet cool down. Cold treats like pupsicles can help them stay cool from the inside. One can also invest in a special cooling body wrap, a vest, or a mat. Unlike fans, which are not made to cool down your pet and should not be relied on, they can provide some relief.
I Brought Her In To Cool Down. I Think She Likes It?
Just Cooling Off During This Heat Wave
What's Cooler Than Being Cool?
Believe it or not, your pets can also get sunburnt. Pets with light short hair as well as hairless ones are the most susceptible to it. You can provide protection by applying sunscreen to the areas where the fur is light or non-existent. Typically, that is the belly, groin, nose, and ears.
The Cat In The Fridge Trying To Cool Off
And How Do You Spend Your Summer?
Hamster Cooling Down In Summer
Some owners think it’s a good idea to shave their dogs with thick fur when the temperatures climb as it might make it easier to cool down. However, this can be counterproductive as it exposes “virgin” skin to the sun. Instead, consult with your pet groomer and see what they would recommend for your pet’s coat.
It's Too Hot Outside
It Was Pretty Hot In Korea Today
If It's Hot And I Open My Back Door, This Happens. I Don't Even Know This Guy
This guy knows all the best places in the neighborhood for whatever he needs, whenever he needs it.
Of course, cats and dogs are not the only pets that suffer in high temperatures. If you have a pet rabbit or guinea pig, you can wrap an ice pack in a towel and put it in their cage to rest on. You can also drench their greens you give them in water to provide more hydration or give them hydrating treats such as apple, pears, or celery.
It's Her Favorite Place To Be
I Spotted This Guy In Paris Helping His Pupper Cool Off In The 40°C Heat Wave
Hot Dog, Cold Pillow
Even if you take all the precautions, always keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke. Those can be anxiousness and restlessness, excessive drooling and panting when laying down, vomiting or diarrhea, abnormal gum or tongue color, unsteadiness or collapsing. Cats may also start breathing through their mouth. Rodents can get sleepy and lethargic, struggle to breathe, have fits, or fall unconscious. If you notice any combination of those, take them to the vet as soon as possible.
She Does This When It's Hot
My Cat Enjoying Shade On A Hot Summer Day
This Dog Enjoyng Pool In The Summer Heat
All in all, high temperatures are no joke, so take them seriously. And maybe snap a picture or two of your pup cooling down in the pool for our next list!
60 Lb Hot Dog
This Is Harold. He Just Discovered That Fans Are Great When It's Too Hot Out
My Friend's Puppy Got Hot On The Fourth Of July, So He Cooled Down In The Ice Chest
Adorable pupper won't fit there next year--better buy a bigger cooler!
My Golden Retriever Decided To Cool Off In The Mud While We Were Hiking. He Had Many Baths After That
When It's Really Hot In Switzerland, And Cats Need To Cool Off As Well
There Was A Heat Wave, So I Tried To Cool Her Down With Ice Cubes. I Turned Her Into A Dino Instead
It's So Hot Out Today
Found The Cold Spot For A Nap In The Heat Of The Summer
He Can't Stand The Heat, But His Tiny Pool Makes Him Happy
The Tail-End Of Summer
I Was Overheating So Dad Cooled Me Down
They Say A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words. Here's A Picture Describing Ontario's Heat Wave
Nothing Like A Cool Bath After A Long Day Chasing The Ball
My Brother's Cat Didn't Enjoy The Move To Arizona Last Summer
Sometimes, You Just Need To Cool Down
It Was Hot In Milan Yesterday
Very Happy To Jump In The River After A Long Hot Walk
This Is How He Deals With The Heat
When It's Very Hot But The Ice Cream Hurts Your Teeth
It's Really Hot At Home, So When I Opened The Fridge, Gary Jumped In And Now Refuses To Leave
Trying To Cool Down In Every Possible Way
ngl that actually looks really cold and fun so sit in. its probably a leaking drain pipe for the building right next to it
A Local Rescue Just Posted This Picture Of One Of Their Fosters Suffering Through The Summer
Hot Day In Ghana
My Dog And Cat. He Always Let Her Chill There During Summer. She Never Thought She Couldn't Do So Though
Toby Knows How To Keep Cool
Baby Bella Cooling Down On A Hot Day
My Hiking Buddy Stops To Cool Off A Bit
My Dog Found A Great Place To Cool Off
German Shepherd Takes Lazy Summer Afternoon Bath
Shadow Enjoys Robbing A Few Licks Of My Ice Lolly On A Hot Day
Our Cat Confirming The Heat Wave In India
Kitties Sitting In The Shade
Too Hot For Windows Down In Florida
Skye Soaking Up The Last Bit Of Summer In The Lake Tahoe
Cozy Muffin. Heat Wave In Switzerland, And Only One Room Has An A/C
My Cat's Favorite Pastime During Fan Season. He Licks The Bars, Bites, And Sometimes Hits With His Paw From An Overabundance Of Feelings
This Is How She Cooled Herself Down
Moomoo Is Experiencing Her First Ever Heat Wave. She Loves Chilling In Front Of The Fan
Cooling Down Outside
Sweet Kitten Hiding From The Hot Sun On The Beach
First Hot Day This Year Calls For Sprinkler Time
My Cat Probably Spends 99% Of Summer In This Exact Position In The Shade
It Was Hot, And She Doesn't Actually Like To Swim, So She Rafts
When I had my three Goldens, only one liked to swim. The others would hang out on the steps of the pool.
Just Cooling Off
Lazy Monday From The Summer Heat
How My Dog Stays Cool On A Hot Day In Tucson At The University Of Arizona
I Bought His First Cooling Mat. Does It Count As He "Uses" It ?
This is like the dog equivalent of me sticking my foot out of the covers so that not all of me is super warm. Cool top, but warm booty.
Sometimes, He Sits There And Enjoys The Summer Breeze
It Is Too Hot
Charlie Isn't Loving His First Experience Of Summer Heat
Derpy Baby Laying In The Cool Bathtub
Cooling Off After A Long Walk
Cookie Cooling His Junk On The Cold Kitchen Floor
My Boy Getting A Deserved Cool Down After Long Sunday Walkies
Life Hack: Cool Your Butt Off On A Hot Day By Pressing It Against The Cold Door
Sleeping Ham. It's Super Hot At The Moment, So She Found The Coolest Place For A Snooze
It Was Too Hot, So He Found The Only Shade
Why would you take your dog on a hike when it's so hot his paws need protection. I saw an episode of Animal Cops where a couple called for help because their two dogs weren't coping with the heat on a long hike. One of the dogs died before help got there.
Cute critter posts are my favorite, especially when I haven't seen the pics a million times! Thank you!
I find ice blocks work quite well. Or a wet towel on the floor. Here is Western Australia it can get seriously hot
Cute critter posts are my favorite, especially when I haven't seen the pics a million times! Thank you!
I find ice blocks work quite well. Or a wet towel on the floor. Here is Western Australia it can get seriously hot