A blog post by Clutch, the super cool Yorkie
Recently, our AC broke down twice, for an hour at a time. That’s how Miss Janet (my human) explained it to me. All I know is that our home got very warm for a while, and that doesn’t usually happen.
So, how does a pup like me stay cool when the AC stops working?
Fortunately, it’s early spring, so we’re not talking summer heat. Miss Janet says the thermostat didn’t get above 80 degrees. Apparently, I would have been in trouble if it had inched up to 85.
The AC broke down both times at night, so it wasn’t as hot outside. Miss Janet opened some windows to cross-ventilate with the outside air. She said it was low 70s outside, and she turned on fans to circulate the air coming in the windows.
Still, it was really warm inside.
It didn’t help that this was right before my scheduled visit to the groomer. It’s important for me to stay well groomed. My coat helps me stay cool—it’s good insulation—but if parts of my coat get dirty or matted, then I’m not getting the cooling off that I need.
Miss Janet thought about how to keep me cool. She remembered how I cool off outside in the summer. I stand in the creek just deep enough where the water touches my belly.
So, she put me in the sink where my feet could be in the water, and she put some water on my belly. I hate getting a bath and usually run around like a maniac afterward. But the water felt pretty good. Almost like being in the creek on a warm day.
Miss Janet made sure I had plenty of water to drink and left the bathroom door open so I could lie on the cool floor. She also gave me a couple blueberries and shredded carrot pieces as a cool treat.
Thankfully, these episodes with the AC only lasted an hour each time. But Miss Janet decided to get informed in case of any problems in the future.
She learned that she could put a damp towel on the floor for me to lie on. Or she could get me a cooling mat.
When it’s warm, I regulate my body temperature by panting, through the sweat glands in my paw pads, and by transferring heat to a cooler surface. Hence, the damp towel or the cooler bathroom floor.
If the AC were down for a few hours, Miss Janet would have taken me for a ride in the air-conditioned car to cool down. (I love rides!) If the AC were broken for a longer time, she would have found a temporary place for us to stay.
Below are a few articles that give suggestions for how to help your pup stay cool in warm weather. I hope these are helpful, but I also hope you won’t need them. Hope your AC keeps cooling.
Whatever you do, please don’t leave your dog in the car, even for a few minutes, even with the windows cracked. The temperature in the car increases more than the outside temperature, and it happens fast. It’s not safe.
How to Keep Your Dog Cool during Hot Weather – Preventive Vet
How to Keep Your Dog Cool in Extreme Heat without Air Conditioning – American Kennel Club
11 Ways to Keep Dogs Cool in the Summer – The Vets.com
Remember that I’m a canine and not a medical professional. Please talk to your vet to learn how to safely keep your dog at a healthy temperature all summer and year-round.
Cool breezes!
Clutch
The Inquisitive Yorkie 