Does anyone have any recommendations for keeping my dog cool on a camping trip? I was thinking of buying a cooling mat. Are they worth it and which would you recommend.
I know my boy will love camping but he’s not a fan of the heat and I’m a little anxious for his first trip this weekend and want to make it as nice and comfortable for him as possible. Do you have any tips or things I could bring or buy to keep him happy?
We have these for our two and find them very successful.
------------- XVI yes?
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How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
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Only taken my dog camping a couple of times in a tent, and that was many years ago, we stayed outside in the heat of the day with dog lying on the grass in shaded spots, we now caravan, which is a very different scenario.
Firstly, forget ANY notion of a tent being a daytime shady cool place for your dog! - tent interiors, in even the weakest sun, can get very hot indeed, on a bright sunny day 45C plus is common! That is Hell for a human, let alone a dog!
Friends with dogs who still tent camp use 'Dog Sun Shelters' a bit like a beach tent for their dogs. Gives shade and UV protection, and with a completely open side, good ventilation. Dogs are on a tether of course, and have a bowl of water in reach. Obviously they need orientating to shield from the sun and may need moving round as the sun traverses. Something similar to this: https://www.petsathome.com/product/sunny-daze-pop-up-dog-shelter-blue-large/713330........
Another option is a tarp to give shade. When tenting (without dog) a couple of years back, we had tiny 'canvas coffin' tents just to sleep in, but wanted some sheltered sitting out and cooking space, so I bought the larger version of this tarp https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/multifunction-tarp-camping-shelter/_/R-p-307422.
We were in France and the sun was pretty hot, probably mid to high 30C temps, but under this tarp it was brilliant and so comfortable, pretty much stopped all of the Sun's direct heat, and of course UV, and coped with torrential rain as well!. This is not any old tarp (all will give shade from light but NOT necessarily stop heat and UV!), this truly is a sun blocking tarp. Of course the dog needs to be tethered.
Both the sun shelters and the tarp are limited by windy conditions though, and may need taking down under some circumstances
I forgot, Cool Coats are another thing we have, also very effective.
Just watch though there are some cheap and nasty ones out there, you are better spending a bit more for a decent one and it should last for years.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Mine is a sun loving dog and he will stay in the sun until he is too hot and will ask to come back into the van or into the shade if he is tethered.
Just plenty of water for him and he is fine.
DK
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We too have cool coats for our dogs which we find very helpful in hot weather. We find the best brand for keeping the dogs cooler longer (but not the cheapest) is Animate.
As others have said, shade shade & shade again, with good ventilation, outside if possible. Inside a zipped up tent becomes an oven. We all sit in the shade of the MH or car if we can. We tried the bed platform raised up off the ground but our dog wouldn’t go onto it. Don’t walk it in the full heat of the day: go for a short walk in the cooler morning & evening. Take up swimming or paddling…
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Keeping dog cool and comfortable camping
via mobile 07/7/2025 at 10:38am
