Why You Should Never Put Damp Towels Over A Hot Dog

Generally, pet charity Blue Cross shared, temperatures above 20°C raise dogs’ risk of heat stroke. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we’re definitely above that right now in the UK.

We’ve recently covered the signs of heatstroke that can show up in your dog’s mouth.

If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) said that it’s important to “cool first, transport [to the vet’s] second”.

Still, they added, a common cooling method – covering them with damp towels – could seriously backfire.

“Don’t place damp towels directly over the dog’s body, as this can trap heat and worsen their condition,” the RSPCA said.

“You can place wet or damp towels beneath the dog – remembering to re-wet the towel frequently – but never over their body.”

According to pet food company Purina, this is a “popular” recommendation, despite not usually being a wise choice for dogs.

Like the RSPCA, though, they say that the initial cooling effect disappears almost immediately, leaving your dog covered in a hot, moist towel that makes them even warmer.

• Excessive panting,
• Red, purple, or pink gums,
• A dry nose,
• Infrequent urination,
• A higher than usual heart rate,
• Shaking and shivering due to muscle spasms,
• Seizures, especially in epileptic dogs,
• Collapse,
• Confusion or disorientation,
• Tiredness,
• Sunken eyes,
• Weakness,
• Red skin,
• Being wobbly on their feet,
• Drooling,
• Thicker than usual saliva,
• Noisy breathing, especially in flat-faced breeds like pugs or French bulldogs,
• Vomiting and/or diarrhoea.

As we mentioned before, the RSPCA says it’s best to cool your dog down before moving them to the vet’s.

Stop any exercise immediately and remove them from direct sources of heat. Get them into the shade, creating your own shade if none is available.

Pour water on their body but not their head. Give special focus to their stomach, neck, and thighs.

“Submerge their body in cool water if available (such as a paddling pool or stream, as long as the water temperature is cooler than the dog),” the RSPCA continued (don’t do this if your dog is older, unconscious, or has health issues).

Fan the dog after that. Once they’ve been thoroughly cooled, take them in a cool, well-ventilated vehicle to the vet’s, keeping your windows down and/or air conditioning on as you transport them. Make sure there’s a source of water in the car and ring the vet ahead of driving to let them know about your dog’s case.

Your demeanour matters too, the RSPCA added. “Try to stay calm and think clearly. Stay focused on the dog and remind yourself that you are capable of saving a life,” they ended: “Keep your cool, keep them cool”.