Has anyone ever used one of those cool pads for a dog to sit on? I saw ones in Pets at Home today, and I think I remember seeing them on one of the online suppliers before.

Hi

I bought one last year (not from PAH) for my long haired breed who really suffers in hot weather.

He refuses point blank to lie on it no matter how I 'introduce' him to it.  So for us it was a waste of money - he prefers the tiled kitchen floor.

Do you have any spare large ceramic floor tiles? Stick a few in the freezer, then your dog will have something very cold to lay on, and cheaper!

I know someone who fills a hot water bottle with ice cold water. Never done it myself but in theory that could work put underneath the dogs bed or blanket

Another suggestion would be to freeze a 2 litre plastic bottle of water, so the dogs can use it as an ice pack to lie against.

Another suggestion would be to freeze a 2 litre plastic bottle of water, so the dogs can use it as an ice pack to lie against.

I do this with my rabbits - they love it :)

> I do this with my rabbits - they love it

Yes! I used the frozen tiles for mine as well.

I am definitely going to look out for an old-fashioned stoneware hot water bottle in the charity shops. They keep the heat really well, and of course are chew-proof, but they too can be packed with ice, or frozen, to provide a solid long-lasting cooling source.

I have one of those 'cool' cloths that you soak in water and wring out.  My dog will not lie on it.  I bought it for the car on days that we spend at agility competitions.  Now I put the pup in his crate every night and I am worried that he could not move around to find a cool place to lie.  It is worrying that all the blankets, pads etc that are sold for dogs are nearly all fleece or foam based.  They reflect your heat - they are too warm.  So I put the cool cloth in there the other night.  By morning it was well wrinkled up - but at least he didn't chew it.  I don't know whether it helped.

> I bought it for the car on days that we spend at agility competitions. 

You might be better off with the frozen bottles then - not only will they cool down the crate, but you'll have a supply of cold fresh water with you for the dogs as well once they melt.

To keep our dogs cool in very hot weather we soak their throats and bellies and undersides of their ears,  insides of the back legs too ;-)      A plant sprayer is good for this :-)     It's also good for spraying into their mouths, as they often refuse to drink when travelling.

They aren't too keen on having it done - they hate getting wet as much as cats do - but they soon enjoy that cool feeling :-)

I have been known to take a soaking wet bitch into the ring, by the time the judge went over her she was dry, but I had a plant spray handy to keep her cool.

I took the pup to a show last weekend (meeting up with his Dad for photos) - he was so hot by the time I got back to the car that I put my ice pack from my sandwiches down for him to lie next to.    Frozen bottles sound a very good idea - will have to remember that.