Keeping Dogs Cool

[scarlet]

Just looking for advice, and/or products to keep dogs cool when cruising in the warmer climates. I have 3 pekingese, and the breed is heat sensitive. I do shave them down in the warm weather, I know that for a quick cooling off, I can dip them in the water. But that isn't always practical. I'm wondering how to keep them cool on a daily basis.

[Van Der Beek]

You need an air conditioner unit.

[sailorcherry]

We have had to use a/c even at anchor via portable Honda genny for swamp cooler when it hit 90f.

We could manage w/o but not our heat sensitive gal. Also bought a gel cooling pad. It helps. As do summer cuts.
If you are just at a dock it's pretty simple, just plug n play.

[bvander]

Spend months on anchor with our pup. Lots of shade, lots of water and fans when wind dies, never had a problem. We have a large sunshade which runs from main to mizzen, keeps the boat about 10 deg cooler than without.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by bvander

Spend months on anchor with our pup. Lots of shade, lots of water and fans when wind dies, never had a problem. We have a large sunshade which runs from main to mizzen, keeps the boat about 10 deg cooler than without.

bvander's got it right:
Shade, plenty of fresh water to drink, more shade and fans.

Air conditioning boats, although popular some places, also makes for power consumption headaches......bigger battery banks, and of course, they block a companionway or a hatch.

Ann

[kalbahnov]

I believe a thin or porous damp towel can be used for evaporative cooling, if it's practical. If they're inside, you might be able to rig something up with a fan and the towel between the dog and the fan. You will, of course, have to pay a humidity tax to accomplish this.

Another thing that I learned living with dogs in the desert is that dogs really like flavored ice cube treats. Freeze up some savory broth into cubes - they'll go crazy for it and it'll cool them down.