Can you bathe a dog in hot weather?

Dogs suffer from the summer heat just as much as people. Recently, special accessories designed to cool animals in hot weather have even appeared on the market: cooling mats, blankets, vests, and collars. Bathing a dog is usually used as a hygiene procedure, keeping the skin and coat clean and eliminating parasites.

General rules

For most breeds, shampooing once a month and washing the paws and face after every walk is ideal. There are exceptions:

• Basset hounds need to be washed more often than other breeds, weekly, as they have an "oily" coat,
• Smooth-coated beagles, basenjis and weimaraners do not require frequent baths,
• It is recommended to bathe as little as possible to preserve the natural oils on the coat, for short-haired retrievers and Pyrenean mountain dogs,
• for northern breeds with thick, dense fur, such as Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed dog, Yakutian Laika, Norwegian Buhund, Lappish Spitz Water treatments are often replaced by dry cleaning.

But bathing also helps prevent the unpleasant and dangerous consequences of overheating for dogs. Animals become lethargic, try to move less, breathe heavily, and have an increased heart rate. Overheating also increases thirst and reduces appetite.

Dogs have few sweat glands, found only on their paw pads, so they cool themselves by panting frequently with their tongues hanging out. On a hot day, this isn't enough, and prolonged exposure to the elements can lead to heatstroke and/or dehydration.

Older animals and brachycephalic dogs with flattened muzzles, such as pugs, bulldogs, Pekingese, and Shar-Pei, have the hardest time tolerating heat. Due to the special structure of their skulls, the airways of these breeds are narrowed.

There are no contraindications to bathing dogs to prevent overheating, especially since most dogs are quite receptive to water treatments. However, certain rules should be followed:

• It is not advisable to use detergents for daily bathing, as even the most delicate ones can dry out the skin and fur, depriving them of their natural lubrication.
• You shouldn't bathe your dog several times a day. It's better to frequently wet your pet's head and body with room-temperature water, using a spray bottle or a wet towel.
• You can shower your dog. The water should be warm—dipping the dog in cold water can make it sick.
• You can also bathe your dog in your bathtub. To do this, fill the tub with lukewarm water to about the level of the dog's belly and, using your hand or a ladle, pour water over its body and head, being careful not to get water in its ears.
• After swimming in the sea, it is advisable to rinse your dog with fresh water to wash off the salt from its body, which can irritate the skin.
• The duration of water procedures in hot weather should not exceed several minutes.

Some dog owners use a garden hose to water their pets in hot weather, believing it's beneficial. This should never be done, as the sudden temperature contrast between hot air and cold water can cause pneumonia or urinary tract problems.

After bathing, be sure to dry your dog off. If there's a lot of water left on its fur, the resulting greenhouse effect can cause heatstroke. Also, be sure to avoid placing the animal under a fan or on a cold concrete or tile floor until it's completely dry.

In addition to basic tips (when to bathe and how to cool down a dog), it's important to consider the following: the influence of water temperature, the thermoregulation state of different breeds, the need for protective care, and drying techniques. These considerations help prevent stress, skin problems, and hypothermia after bathing.

The dangers of too cold water and sudden temperature changes

It might seem logical to use ice water to cool a pet in hot weather. However, for many dogs, especially those with long or furry coats, water that is too cold causes vascular spasms, impairs heat transfer, and can cause inflammation. Therefore, the water temperature should be comfortable—approximately 18–22°C, like a light summer rain.

It's important to gradually introduce the dog to water: first wet the paws, chest, then the stomach and sides - this helps reduce the shock reaction of the central thermoregulatory system.

Bathing in hot weather and thermoregulation in different breeds

Labradors, retrievers, Airedale terriers, and schnauzers have dense, water-retaining undercoats—they effectively wick away heat, but they get wet and take a long time to dry. Bathing them at 35°C (95°F) can cause excessive thermal cooling.
Brachycephalic and short-haired dogs (e.g., pugs, bulldogs, and bullmastiffs) sweat little and have trouble coping with overheating. For them, bathing in hot weather is more of a hygienic measure than a cooling measure; it's important to monitor their breathing and condition afterward.
Smooth-haired breeds (Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Corgis) tolerate water and drying well, but their skin is sensitive to ultraviolet rays. After bathing, use a protective spray or skin balm, especially if the water is hard.

Bathing by time of day:

The recommended times are early morning (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and evening (8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.). Competitors advise avoiding swimming between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.—the peak UV radiation period. We also recommend:

• After 10:00 pm the heat in the evening decreases, but a damp wind is possible, which can lead to cooling.

• Before 6 a.m., water in groundwater reservoirs may be too cool - choose proven sources (shower, basin).

How bathing affects thermoregulation: physiology

A dog's skin is a good heat sink, and its fur is an insulator. Water in the interlayer cools and then slowly releases heat, while sun and wind accelerate heat exchange. The effect is similar to a "wet scarf": it cools the skin and then evaporates the water, creating a cooling effect. However, if a wet dog is immediately exposed to bright sunlight, the greenhouse effect will only make matters worse. Ideally, bathe, dry until damp, and let it air dry in the shade.

Approximate steps for sensible swimming in hot weather (besides the article)

• Step 1: Preparation - Bring water, a towel, a hair dryer, a warm drink (for yourself)

• Step 2: Gently pour over the extremities - to reduce the temperature of the extremities without creating shock

• Step 3: Basic washing - mild shampoo, massage, pay attention to the groin and armpits

• Step 4: Dry with a dry towel, then with a hairdryer on a gentle setting, keeping 20-30 cm from the skin

• Step 5: Rub with a light towel, leaving the coat slightly damp, and place in the shade with water.

Additional measures after bathing

• cooling mats and fans - if the coat is still damp, they enhance cooling without blowing on the skin;

• wet bandages on the folds (wrists, armpits) - additional radiator;

• Frozen toys placed nearby help cool the dog's brain and respiratory system.

When swimming in hot weather is contraindicated

For dogs with sparse hair or skin burns (hairless dogs, Chinese Cresteds), bathing in direct sunlight after a scalding is dangerous. Protective measures (hat, cooling suit) should be used until the burn is completely healed.
Also, after vaccination or an allergic crisis, bathing should be postponed for 24–48 hours to avoid provoking a systemic reaction.

Games and cooling activities as an alternative

If bathing is not desirable, you can use:

• Sprinkler with cool water for games and irrigation;

• small volume pool for stagnant temperature;

• Ice in a bowl so that the dog can cool itself with its paws, a climate zone is created around it.

Myths worth debunking

• "Foam helps cool"—shampoos with mint or menthol provide a subjective cooling sensation, but dry out the skin and compromise its barrier. It's better to use a regular, mild shampoo followed by a moisturizing spray.

• "The higher the foam, the better"—foam acts as a heat insulator, trapping water and creating a "greenhouse effect." The best tactic is to rinse thoroughly, leaving no residue.

• "It's okay to give it right after a walk." A sudden transition from active overheating to water can cause thermal vasodilation and weakness. Let your dog rest in the shade for 5-10 minutes and give him something to drink.

If you follow all the above tips, bathing in hot weather will be both a pleasant and beneficial procedure for your dog.

Read also:

• Can you take a dog into bed?
• Chlorhexidine shampoo for dogs
• How to cool down a dog in extreme heat?