# Hot day, not much water to put on dog: which best parts of his body to cool him? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013 "2017-05-19T17:49:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/1 "2017-05-19T17:49:19Z")
See query: small bottle, or half bottle left of water after he’s finished drinking. Golden retriever, i.e., double coat. I’ve been putting it on his ears and rubbing it into his head, and if any left rubbing it through fur on his belly. Now I’m thinking paws. Any advice? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/2 "2017-05-19T20:15:54Z")
Yeah, sell whatever device you’re using to post and get some more water for the goddam dog. Glad I could help. ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/3 "2017-05-19T20:21:46Z")
I would just keep letting him drink. Dogs pant. I think panting probably works better than anything else for a dog. As long as he can keep his tongue wet I would think he would be ok. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/4 "2017-05-19T20:23:12Z")
Let him drink the water, then get more. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/5 "2017-05-19T20:23:32Z")
Give the dog to somebody better equipped to care for him. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/6 "2017-05-19T20:28:37Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Yeah, sell whatever device you’re using to post and get some more water for the goddam dog. Glad I could help. > > > [@Scumpup](#): > > > > Give the dog to somebody better equipped to care for him. Seriously. Noted. I’m interested in physiology of the dog. Scum pup? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/7 "2017-05-19T20:36:04Z")
Dogs thermoregulate from panting and, to a much lesser extent, by sweating through their footpads. give the dog all the water to drink and find him a new owner. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/8 "2017-05-19T20:58:06Z")
Dogs also are radiators. A wet dog is cooler than a non-wet dog. I’m wondering about the most efficient heat-transfer. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/9 "2017-05-19T20:58:52Z")
I put a fan on the floor and my dog will lay down in front of it to cool down and I keep a bowl water close by . You could get a kiddie pool and let your dog go in that . How come there not much water ,is there a drought where you live ? ? I agree made sure your dog get enough water to drink, how old is your dog and what breed is it ? ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/10 "2017-05-19T21:01:22Z")
Jesus. I walk in the city. I buy water enough for both os to drink. I open up his foldable water bowl and pour until he doesn’t want to drink any more. It’s still fucking hot out and sunny. I have some water left over. I come home and post an OP. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/11 "2017-05-19T21:09:18Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Dogs also are radiators. A wet dog is cooler than a non-wet dog. I’m wondering about the most efficient heat-transfer. Dogs are designed to lose body heat mostly through panting. The posters that suggest let him drink the water are absolutely correct. That is by far the most efficient use of it. Your theory that a wet dog is cooler is not a good one. Dogs don’t lose heat through their skin quite the same way we do. Being wet is going to cause the hair to mat down to the skin, and actually reduce the cooling effect of air moving through the fur. Wet fur can also cause discomfort to the dog, as well as possible skin conditions, lesions, or “hot spots”. If you have some cool tile or brick, having him lay down on that may give him some comfort as well. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/12 "2017-05-19T21:14:13Z")
Do not let the water get too cool, and do not allow the dog to drink too much at once. Excessively cool water may reduce gut motility, and too much can prompt GDV (‘bloat’). Cool water, in moderate quantities, then wait a bit, and provide more. Cool tile or concrete floor will help, too. Do NOT clip guard hair on shaggy dogs - They can sunburn. DO strip out undercoat if they haven’t blown coat yet. In _this_ specific case, a bath may be helpful, in that it helps with shedding the undercoat. But dry the dog soonest, and brush them out _thoroughly._ ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/13 "2017-05-19T21:18:31Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > Dogs also are radiators. A wet dog is cooler than a non-wet dog. I’m wondering about the most efficient heat-transfer. Dogs are designed to lose body heat mostly through panting. The posters that suggest let him drink the water are absolutely correct. That is by far the most efficient use of it. Your theory that a wet dog is cooler is not a good one. Dogs don’t lose heat through their skin quite the same way we do. Being wet is going to cause the hair to mat down to the skin, and actually reduce the cooling effect of air moving through the fur. Wet fur can also cause discomfort to the dog, as well as possible skin conditions, lesions, or “hot spots”. If you have some cool tile or brick, having him lay down on that may give him some comfort as well. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/14 "2017-05-19T21:23:11Z")
You’re supposed to put mustard on a hot dog, not water. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/15 "2017-05-19T21:27:02Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Give the dog to somebody better equipped to care for him. Seriously. > [@Scumpup](#): > > give the dog all the water to drink and find him a new owner. **Moderator Warning** **Scumpup** , you’ve been around long enough to know this is inappropriate for GQ. This is an official warning for being a jerk and threadshitting. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/16 "2017-05-19T21:28:33Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Do not let the water get too cool, and do not allow the dog to drink too much at once. Excessively cool water may reduce gut motility, and too much can prompt GDV (‘bloat’). Cool water, in moderate quantities, then wait a bit, and provide more. Cool tile or concrete floor will help, too. > > Do NOT clip guard hair on shaggy dogs - They can sunburn. DO strip out undercoat if they haven’t blown coat yet. In _this_ specific case, a bath may be helpful, in that it helps with shedding the undercoat. But dry the dog soonest, and brush them out _thoroughly._ Sorry for double, and now triple post, my internet was doing some wonky stuff. Anyway, if you have a double coat dog, a bath will help keep him cool, as it will remove the excess undercoat. But, I would suggest getting a professional groomer to do it for you, unless you have one of [these.](https://www.amazon.com/drying-groom-Metro-Master-Blaster/dp/B002EKAI5Q) If you don’t have that, or something very like that, you are going to leave your dog damp and uncomfortable, and invite skin problems. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/17 "2017-05-19T21:32:51Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Give the dog to somebody better equipped to care for him. Seriously. To be fair, he does say he does still have half a bottle of water left after the dog was done drinking, so I’m not ready to dismiss him as someone who can’t take care of his dog. Provide him with shade, plenty of water, and let him pant. I made a similar mistake when I first got my pit bull four years ago. I heard how much they needed lots of exercise, so I took him on a four-mile walk on a summer’s day. I realized my stupidity at the halfway point when I ran out of water and had to carry the dog to the water fountain at the park to let him rehydrate and rest in the shade of a tree. I severely underestimated how much water dogs need and how hot they get. Just let it be a mistake that only happens once. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/18 "2017-05-19T21:41:48Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > **Moderator Warning** > > **Scumpup** , you’ve been around long enough to know this is inappropriate for GQ. This is an official warning for being a jerk and threadshitting. > > Colibri > General Questions Moderator You have mail. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/19 "2017-05-19T21:56:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I made a similar mistake when I first got my pit bull four years ago. I heard how much they needed lots of exercise, so I took him on a four-mile walk on a summer’s day. I realized my stupidity at the halfway point when I ran out of water and had to carry the dog to the water fountain at the park to let him rehydrate and rest in the shade of a tree. I severely underestimated how much water dogs need and how hot they get. Just let it be a mistake that only happens once. I had a PB/GSD mix. She _hated_ the heat. When it was over 90’F, I waited until after dark to walk her. When it got to be over 100’F for a few days one summer, she didn’t even want to go out. She was over 5 then, and could go a day without a walk, so we skipped it one day. The next day, I took her out at 10pm, and she walked so slowly, I couldn’t believe it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013/20 "2017-05-19T22:00:09Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I had a PB/GSD mix. She _hated_ the heat. When it was over 90’F, I waited until after dark to walk her. When it got to be over 100’F for a few days one summer, she didn’t even want to go out. She was over 5 then, and could go a day without a walk, so we skipped it one day. The next day, I took her out at 10pm, and she walked so slowly, I couldn’t believe it. Yeah, I discovered that pretty quickly. My dog does cold very well (surprisingly well, as I discovered from another thread here on the dope. Despite being a short haired dog, he doesn’t have any problems walking outside down to about 10F). But heat? Heck no. I mean, given free reign of the yard, he loves baking in the sun with his pit bull smile and panting, but nothing more than maybe a half mile walk when it gets really hot out there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hot-day-not-much-water-to-put-on-dog-which-best-parts-of-his-body-to-cool-him/787013.md?page=2)