Last summer the AC died during a 102-degree week. By day two, my German Shepherd was lying flat on the bathroom tile, panting like he had just run a marathon in his sleep. I panicked and went full MacGyver. Here is what actually helped—vet-approved and tested on a very dramatic dog.

Frozen Water Bottles Wrapped in Towels

Fill plastic water bottles three-quarters full and freeze them. Wrap each bottle in a thin towel and place them where your pet likes to lie down. They create a cool zone without the wet mess of ice packs. My dog treated his like a cold pillow. Swap them out as they thaw—usually every two to three hours in extreme heat.

Cooling Mats You Can DIY

If you do not have a store-bought cooling mat, soak a large bath towel in cool water, wring it out thoroughly, and lay it flat on the floor. The evaporation pulls heat away from your pet’s body. Replace when it warms up. This works surprisingly well and costs nothing.

Paw and Ear Cooling

Dogs and cats release heat primarily through their paw pads and ears. Dab cool (not cold) water on their paw pads and the outside of their ears with a damp cloth. You will see them visibly relax. Cold water can shock their system—think cool, not ice-cold.

What Not to Do

Do not shave double-coated breeds. Their undercoat actually insulates against heat as well as cold. Shaving a Husky or German Shepherd can make them hotter, not cooler, and can lead to sunburn on exposed skin. Brush them thoroughly to remove loose undercoat instead.

The AC got fixed on day four. My dog still drags his frozen water bottle towel onto the tile every summer afternoon, AC or not. Some habits stick.