Pet Cooling Campaign: Heat dissipation principle from paws to tongue + practical ice pads, straw mats and automatic water dispensers

Pet cooling principle

Cats and dogs cannot sweat all over their bodies to cool down like humans. They have very few sweat glands all over their bodies, mainly concentrated around the soles of their feet and the tip of their noses. In the summer, dogs will open their mouths and pant to evaporate the moisture on their tongues and dissipate heat quickly; at the same time, the pads on their paws will also sweat a small amount to help cool down. Cats rarely pant, but rely mainly on licking their fur to spread saliva on the surface of their fur, allowing the moisture to evaporate and take away the heat. Therefore, owners can help keep the room cool by regularly combing and removing hair and trimming paw hair to avoid blocking air circulation and making it easier for pets to dissipate heat.

Symptoms and risk factors of heat stroke in summer

When the weather is hot and the humidity is high, your pet's chance of suffering from heat stroke increases significantly.

Heatstroke can cause body temperature to rise rapidly, damaging multiple organs including the liver, kidneys, and brain.
Common symptoms include heavy panting or drooling (common in dogs but rare in cats), vomiting, diarrhea, as well as rapid heartbeat, unsteady gait, convulsions and even coma. If these signs occur, cool down immediately and seek medical attention. There are many situations in high temperature environments that increase the risk of heat stroke: for example, leaving pets in closed cars for a long time (even with windows open) or in unshaded places; prolonged direct exposure to the sun; strenuous exercise or running beyond tolerance; in addition, animals that are overweight, old or young, have poor cardiopulmonary function, and breeds with dense fur or short noses (such as pugs and bulldogs) are more susceptible to heat stroke.

Heatstroke prevention and cooling strategies for pet owners

In order to make the furry pets spend the summer comfortably, owners should provide a cool and ventilated environment and sufficient water sources. You can turn on the air conditioner or electric fan indoors, and avoid exposing your pet to strong cold air for a long time, and set the temperature to a comfortable 25°C. Outdoor activities should avoid the hot midday period, and take your pet out in the early morning or evening. Give your pet plenty of water or crushed ice, and rehydrate immediately if you find your pet is thirsty; use a stable ceramic water bowl or prepare multiple drinking points to prevent the water dispenser from being knocked over and keep the water source fresh. In addition, you can prepare a wet towel or a small swimming pool in the shade for your dog to stand and cool down, or use a spray to wipe the ears and armpits to help evaporation and cooling.

Remember to never leave your pet alone in a hot car or space to avoid heat stroke.
During high-risk moments (when the temperature is high and humidity is high), you should also shorten your time outdoors and pay attention to the animal's mental state. If you notice any abnormality, move it to a cool place immediately and send it to a doctor for treatment.

Recommended Practical Cooling Supplies

In addition to environmental control, owners can also make use of various cooling products as an aid. For example, as shown in the figure

POPO All-season breathable ice rattan pet cooling pad

POPO's all-season breathable ice rattan pet cooling pad combines natural plant fibers and ice silk fabrics. The woven surface is breathable and cool. It has a double-sided design and a wrap-around spine pillow that can support the pet's entire body and quickly cool down. Its three-dimensional sponge core can accelerate heat dissipation, absorb moisture and dissipate heat, allowing pets lying on it to feel like they are enjoying a cool mat.

Functions and applicable scenarios:

This type of rattan mat does not absorb heat easily. Placing it in the pet's sleeping nest or on the floor can effectively reduce the perceived temperature. It is suitable for situations where the pet does not like air conditioning or the indoor temperature is stuffy. When it is hot in summer, pets can relieve body temperature by lying on it.

All-Gel Cooling Pad

There are also all-gel cooling pads on the market (such as the POPOCOLA brand). For example, the all-gel water ripple cooling pad uses a three-layer structure of polymer gel and scratch-resistant PVC, with a full-body fit design that can dissipate heat evenly for a long time. No need to freeze in advance, you can feel the coolness immediately after opening the package (physical cooling, cool as soon as opened). The surface of this type of ice pad is wear-resistant and waterproof PVC cloth, the middle layer is filled with gel, and it is equipped with an elevated neck pillow to relieve pressure on the pet's spine, allowing dogs or cats to stretch freely on it while still feeling cool and comfortable. (Links to petsthing.com.hk relate to this product type)

Functions and applicable scenarios:

Gel ice pads are suitable for pets who like to stay close to cool surfaces. The cooling feeling is long-lasting and not easy to concentrate. It is suitable for use as a cooling pad on the floor, in a doghouse or cage. The elevated neck pillow is designed to support your spine and keep you cool even when you sleep all night.

All seasons removable and washable ice silk latex mattress

In addition, the all-season removable and washable ice silk latex mattress combines comfort and cooling functions. This type of pet mattress uses natural latex foam and cool ice silk fabric to provide good elasticity and heat dissipation. High-elastic latex can evenly support the pet's weight and reduce the feeling of oppression; the ice silk fabric has the property of quick cooling, which can quickly conduct away body heat and keep the surface dry. The entire bed is detachable and washable for easy cleaning, and the non-slip coating on the bottom can also prevent the mattress from sliding. (Links to petsthing.com.hk relate to this product type)

Functions and applicable scenarios:

This type of cooling bed is suitable for pets that need mattress support, especially medium to large dog breeds. It can be placed in an indoor resting place or pet nest, allowing the pet to lie down at any time and enjoy the effect of evenly cooling the whole body.

Drinking fountain

In addition to various cooling pads, water dispensers are also important tools for cooling off.

An adequate supply of clean water is one of the keys to keeping your pet cool.
Owners can prepare automatic circulating water dispensers or multiple drinking bowls so that cats and dogs can drink clean cool water at any time. A good water dispenser is equipped with filtering and circulation functions, which can prevent water from spoiling easily, encourage pets to drink more water, and help regulate body temperature.

Functions and applicable scenarios:

Automatic drinking fountains are suitable for families who are away from home for a long time or have multiple pets, and can provide clean water around the clock. Regularly changing and cleaning the water source in the waterer and placing the water bowl in a cool place can prevent the water quality from rising and prevent cats and dogs from becoming dehydrated and suffering from heatstroke due to not drinking water.

Summarize

To sum up, cooling down pets in summer requires a multi-pronged approach: environmental temperature control (air conditioning/ventilation), water supply, activity control, and auxiliary cooling products such as ice pads, cool mats, and water dispensers.

These products are not a universal solution, but as practical auxiliary tools, they can greatly improve the comfort of your furry friends and help them spend the hot summer in good health and refreshment.