This summer was terrifyingly hot. Many countries in the Northern Hemisphere were plagued by extreme heatwaves that broke all the records. A lot of people also suffered from the consequences of that heat – excessive rain that caused flooding and droughts that helped fires swallow up huge expanses of land.

With summer temperatures increasing every year, many pet owners are getting more and more concerned, too. This year, a lot of them were forced to consider how to keep their four-legged buddies safe during extreme heat.

The list below shows the most ingenious pet attempts to fight the heat. From licking ice cubes to hiding in fridges, pets are using many creative ways to stay cool.

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#1 It’s Kinda Hot In Turkey

Of course, when it comes to heat, pets cannot save themselves. They do need our help to manage such high temperatures.

First things first—it’s important to keep your pets inside. This is somewhat easier with cats who do not need much daily exercise. As for dogs, you’ll have to be more prepared.

Start by planning your walks. Try limiting them to 15 minutes and only go out in the morning, before the heat reaches its peak, and in the evening, when it subsides. This is especially important for short-nosed pets like French bulldogs and pugs, whose inherent difficulty breathing is made even worse by warm temperatures.

#2 What Else To Do On A Hot Summer Day?

#3 This Guy In Azerbaijan Heat Didn’t Want His Dogs Paws To Burn, So He Pulled Him In The Cooler

The pavement often gets really hot during the day, and it can damage your dog’s paws. A good way to see if that’s the case is to stand on the pavement yourself—if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog.

That is why it is best to avoid asphalt and paved walkways when taking a walk and opt for a grassy area instead. If that is not possible, you might need to invest in dog booties to protect your four-legged friend.

#4 Hot Day

#5 That’s My Pool But Not My Dog

#6 Our Puppy Loves Ice On Hot Days

Staying at home can, of course, be a problem for very active dogs. Still, experts suggest to try to come up with indoor activities for your pet. This can be food puzzles, searching for hidden toys, and brushing up on or learning a new trick or two.

#7 How We Beat The Heat In Australia. Ice Cold Can On A Warm Belly

#8 Shop Owner Lets Stray Dogs Sleep In His Store So They Could Cool Down During Hot Weather

#9 Just Bought An A/C. He Sleeps All Day With His B**t Facing It

When heatwaves hit, always keep water in mind. That means taking a bottle with you when going for a walk and keeping the hydration up when at home. If you have a back yard or a terrace, swap out the outside metal bowl with plastic so that they don’t get hot in the sun. You can also fill up a little pool for your pet and see if it likes to take a dip. Make sure to place it in the shade, though, to limit sun exposure.

#10 Just Three Wieners In A Floaty On A Hot Summer Day

#11 When My Corgi Gets Hot, This Is What She Does

#12 Our Cat Having His Tummy Fanned On A Super Hot Day

You can also get a little creative when trying to help your pet cool down. Cold treats like pupsicles can help them stay cool from the inside. One can also invest in a special cooling body wrap, a vest, or a mat. Unlike fans, which are not made to cool down your pet and should not be relied on, they can provide some relief.

#13 I Brought Her In To Cool Down. I Think She Likes It?

#14 Just Cooling Off During This Heat Wave

#15 What’s Cooler Than Being Cool?

Believe it or not, your pets can also get sunburnt. Pets with light short hair as well as hairless ones are the most susceptible to it. You can provide protection by applying sunscreen to the areas where the fur is light or non-existent. Typically, that is the belly, groin, nose, and ears.

#16 The Cat In The Fridge Trying To Cool Off

#17 And How Do You Spend Your Summer?

#18 Hamster Cooling Down In Summer

Some owners think it’s a good idea to shave their dogs with thick fur when the temperatures climb as it might make it easier to cool down. However, this can be counterproductive as it exposes “virgin” skin to the sun. Instead, consult with your pet groomer and see what they would recommend for your pet’s coat.

#19 It’s Too Hot Outside

#20 It Was Pretty Hot In Korea Today

#21 If It’s Hot And I Open My Back Door, This Happens. I Don’t Even Know This Guy

Of course, cats and dogs are not the only pets that suffer in high temperatures. If you have a pet rabbit or guinea pig, you can wrap an ice pack in a towel and put it in their cage to rest on. You can also drench their greens you give them in water to provide more hydration or give them hydrating treats such as apple, pears, or celery.

#22 It’s Her Favorite Place To Be

#23 Hot Dog, Cold Pillow

#24 She Does This When It’s Hot

Even if you take all the precautions, always keep an eye out for signs of heatstroke. Those can be anxiousness and restlessness, excessive drooling and panting when laying down, vomiting or diarrhea, abnormal gum or tongue color, unsteadiness or collapsing. Cats may also start breathing through their mouth. Rodents can get sleepy and lethargic, struggle to breathe, have fits, or fall unconscious. If you notice any combination of those, take them to the vet as soon as possible.

#25 My Cat Enjoying Shade On A Hot Summer Day

#26 This Dog Enjoyng Pool In The Summer Heat

#27 60 Lb Hot Dog

All in all, high temperatures are no joke, so take them seriously. And maybe snap a picture or two of your pup cooling down in the pool for our next list!

#28 This Is Harold. He Just Discovered That Fans Are Great When It’s Too Hot Out

#29 My Friend’s Puppy Got Hot On The Fourth Of July, So He Cooled Down In The Ice Chest

#30 My Golden Retriever Decided To Cool Off In The Mud While We Were Hiking. He Had Many Baths After That

#31 When It’s Really Hot In Switzerland, And Cats Need To Cool Off As Well

#32 There Was A Heat Wave, So I Tried To Cool Her Down With Ice Cubes. I Turned Her Into A Dino Instead

#33 It’s So Hot Out Today

#34 Found The Cold Spot For A Nap In The Heat Of The Summer

#35 He Can’t Stand The Heat, But His Tiny Pool Makes Him Happy

#36 The Tail-End Of Summer

#37 I Was Overheating So Dad Cooled Me Down

#38 They Say A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words. Here’s A Picture Describing Ontario’s Heat Wave

#39 Nothing Like A Cool Bath After A Long Day Chasing The Ball

#40 My Brother’s Cat Didn’t Enjoy The Move To Arizona Last Summer

#41 Sometimes, You Just Need To Cool Down

#42 It Was Hot In Milan Yesterday

#43 Very Happy To Jump In The River After A Long Hot Walk

#44 This Is How He Deals With The Heat

#45 When It’s Very Hot But The Ice Cream Hurts Your Teeth

#46 It’s Really Hot At Home, So When I Opened The Fridge, Gary Jumped In And Now Refuses To Leave

#47 Trying To Cool Down In Every Possible Way

#48 A Local Rescue Just Posted This Picture Of One Of Their Fosters Suffering Through The Summer

#49 Hot Day In Ghana

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