Oh man, how are you keeping your pets cool?

[NovelNerd]

That's a really great idea! I'll have to go check tomorrow and see if they have some.

[Mkia]

Luckily pretty much everyone in AZ has AC...its pretty much required. Temps can hit 120 F here...so it really isn't an option lol.

We keep the AC at 78-79, so the house never gets TOO hot. The dogs don't stay outside as long as usual for their potty breaks. And the ratties and guineas get a fan and are in the coolest room of the house as it is.


I think the metal tin idea is a great plan! Frozen peas are good for a quick cool down. And the marble slabs you already have were a good idea too!

[SunPony]

Aw, poor critters!  I used to do some summer field work in Arkansas, it was HOT!   Is it very humid where you are?  If it is a dry heat something like a "swamp cooler" might work for you (though it will increase the humidity inside).  But it if is already humid there that is probably not going to improve matters.  The ice trays ideas others suggested seem like a good idea.  For dogs you could try something like a gel cooling pad?  If your dogs don't chew/dig in their beds? Drs Foster and Smith has them. 

I have central AC where I live, I'm very lucky.  It isn't so much hot here as it is HUMID.  I only walk my dog in the morn or evening - I have a cooling vest for her she could wear on walks but she hates anything on her other than a collar, heh.

[billietallent]

I am really fortunate to have central a/c. But considering I'm extremely high risk for heatstroke and I have lung issues, it isn't really an option to not have it. When we were looking for a house years ago it was on the 'must have' list.

It amazes me that some houses & apartments here are still being built without some sort of a/c. Yes, we get cold here in the winter, but a good chunk of the summer is 35C or higher (with the humidex making it feel more like 40C). A/C is a huge selling point!

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Gel cooling pads wrapped in towels on the floor - if it's tile or lino or vinyl, that's better.
Damp cold towels draped over the front of fans - obviously very well-secured!
Lots of room temperature water available
Kids wading pool with ice cubes
Cool bathwater with ice cubes
Frozen fruits or pureed treats

Not everyone has A/C in Calgary because there are really only three weeks of the year that you would TRULY need it (in the 100's), and those who DO have A/C always cause overloads on the power grid.   

[Princess Lala]

It got here into the 90's (F) here yesterday- but I didnt feel any of it!

My reptiles would love that kind of heat! xD I feel bad for them because they are always right under their lights because its so cold in my apt!! I have several layers of those eclipse blackout curtains on all my windows (also helps me sleep during the daytime!) and I have allll around my door sealed off with thick cardboard so none of the cold escapes and little heat gets in! Our lights are either LED or the kind that just do not get hot. I only gets hot in my apt whn we are cooking on the stove. I usually crank on the AC for a few hours and it stays cold all day!! Luckily for my ferret, she has blankies and fleece so if she gets cold she can huddle inside. Her cage is also a coated metal which makes it even colder inside her cage! Its usually 68*F-72*F in my apt!! Its been pretty warm this week, but last month when it was rainy I had to turn the heater on it felt so cold inside my 'cave' on an apartment! LOL!!  I think its because of how many maple trees we have here in my neighborhood- more trees means more cleaner and cooler air! It feels just like Indiana here! :3

I really recondmend investing in Eclipse black-out curtains. They range from $24-$40 a panel but I got my 82" for $18 on sale at Target! Not only does my house stay cold but our electricity bills are pretty low- more money for ponies and pet gifts!!! My last electricity bill was $47!!

I would definetly keep lots and lots of cold water with ice their water dish to help keep fuzzies cool! Also anything metal feels pretty good when its in a shady spot, im sure animals like it too! Heck, you could even freeze things like a can of green beans and use that for the small critters! Lots of shady spots! Even if its under the couch, tables, or chair!  Fans! Ooo keep them in the bathroom of you have tile or vinyl floors! I love the cold tile in my bathroom!

[Leave a Whisper]

they have plenty of water and there's been a strong wind so they're good for now. when it gets too hot though they chill out in a nice air conditioned house

[barbgirl1999]

It's super hot here right now too...I swear by frozen water bottles for the rabbits, lol.  And I have a couple of pieces of scrap marble tile that I snagged when  my mom redid her bathroom that I put down on the floor for my flemish giant.  he likes to sprawl across them, so his belly is on the cool tile.

[Galactica]

I used to freeze water bottles for the rabbits.

I saw this cute video on youtube where the guy filled a kiddie-pool with ice for his dog and the dog was seriously so freaking happy...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29iVnf5ja5c

So cute...

[Kitkumi]

My granny used to tell me that, when she was a girl, they would get blocks of ice and put them in metal tubs, then put those tubs behind floor fans and it would work like a little mini AC unit that they could focus at one spot. You can make big blocks of ice just by freezing mixing bowls full of water, and they last pretty long if you wanted to try it. You could also fill the bath tub up with water to give water loving animals a place to chill out during the day but they maaaaayyyy not obey the 'no running around the pool' rule and things may get soggy, lol. (We used to have a cat that would sleep in a sink full of water if she became too hot during the summer. Hated water any other time though, but tolerated it to cool down. Floor did get soaked though, but luckily we had tile)

[True]

weve had a pretty cool summer so far, but thats not uncommon for this area, we usually get a handful of supper hot days, which we usually get teased about xD because "super hot for us" is usually just every day for everyone else haha.

For me, my room stays pretty cool without a fan or anything. In fact, its usually downright cold at night. My room is halfway underground so I get that nice cool temp (not so great in the winter haha)

My only pets are two cats, and they are usually passed out on the floor of my room, or under the bed in one of the top level rooms.

I usually keep all the doors/windows open at night, since they all have screens, then I shut them at about 5am and block them with curtains to keep the cool air inside, open them all back up when the sun has gone down a bit. Thats for super hot days though, which we haven't had many yet, so so far iv been able to keep doors open all day, and its been nice.

[Princess Lala]

Oh my word!!! I just went up to the Post Office to drop of mail and went to Trader Joes and it is pretty hot outside!!! 84*F at 9:12am but inside my car was hot! Thats how I know August is around the corner besides looking at my calender! xD I might try the metal tin with ice in it for my ferret just in case that super rare occurance my AC gets broken. Plus I want to see what she does with ice for the first time!! She is 5mo old and doesnt know what ice is LOL!  August and Late July are the hot months here. Darn, and it was just soooo pleasant outside the other week! xD August get here fast so you can go away fast! LOL!

[joce]

What about freezing treats like veggies into ice cubes and giving them those throughout the day? I've done it for the chickens on hot days. Gets them at least playing with the ice.

We finally hit the high 80s here while we are planning my brothers welcome home party so not only did I just finishing putting up hay it was finally dry enough to bale but have cleaned the yard all up, worked on a fire pit and done things I normally would have passed up to sit in the air!!

[Pheasant]

I live in an old farmhouse that has no air conditioning whatsoever.

Summer averages about 85 F, but it isn't uncommon to reach into the low hundreds - our first July here was literally over 95 degrees F every single day. We've gotten by with plenty of cool water, portable fans, and by closing the windows / curtains in the early morning to keep the house cool.

The livestock and outdoor pets have it a little harder, but I haven't lost anyone to the heat. Small yogurt cups can be used to create large ice cubes to set in waterers, which are refilled with cool, fresh water several times a day. Large box fans can be set in front of runs. I fill large flower pot trays full of water for my chickens to wade in; I also water their favorite resting spots frequently to cool down the ground. (This works for dogs, too.)

Maddie, could you hang a wet washcloth or dishtowel in front of the fan? I'm not sure what the climate is like in Arkansas, but if it's dry, it should provide some brief relief.
Edit: Another user already suggested it; ignore me.

[DazzleKitty]

I live in an old farmhouse that has no air conditioning whatsoever.

You are a strong person. I could never survive without AC. LOL

I do NOT take the heat well. I get dizzy, nauseous, and a few times at work (where it gets pretty hot), my coworkers thought I was going to pass out. I always sweat profusely when I am hot which doesn't help matters.