First, water, water, water.  Don’t underestimate how much fresh water your pets need in the heat.  Provide water in the yard, in your house, and when you take your dog out.

Inside:

• Let them have access to a bathtub, shower, tile floor, or basement to lie on.
• Keep the air moving with fans and ventilation. Placing a styrofoam cooler filled with ice in front of a fan can help cool things off.
• Maybe try putting some ice in the water dish.

For dogs:

• If you don’t have enough good shade in your yard, stick a beach umbrella in the ground to provide more.  You can get smaller, less expensive ones at Costco, Target, etc.  Your dog will need more than a tiny little patch of shade.
• Get a plastic kiddy pool.  (Unfortunately for us, Saffron is still very cautious about hers and won’t lie down in it.  She will get in it for treats.  Silly girl!)
• An elevated bed will provide air circulation to keep your dog cooler.

Kuranda

Pet Gear

Coolaroo

Incredible Pet Cot

Breezy Bed (this one has an awning for protection from sun & rain)

• Cooling beds filled with gel or water will help a hot dog.

Canine Cooler

Cool Bed

Body Cooler Mat

K9 Cooling Mat

• Cooling jackets work either by water evaporation or reflection.

Swamp Cooler Vest

Cool K9

BodyCooler Belly Wrap

ChillyBuddy Cooling Jacket

• There are also cooling collars and bandannas.

Kool Collar

BodyCooler Cooling Collar

BodyCooler Cooling Bandana

Outward Hound Cooling Bandana

• Try some frozen treats.  You can stuff a Kong with peanut butter, cheese whiz, even broth.  You can also freeze broth or water in a plastic container—stick some treats in it before you freeze it to keep your dog interested.