Keeping pets cool at home: Flexible cooling solutions from Portacool

If your dog lounges in the garage, your cats nap in a sunroom, or you have chickens or rabbits in the backyard, keeping them cool and safe in hot weather is critical. Like people, pets are also vulnerable to heat-related medical conditions like heat stress and heat stroke. 

At Portacool, we provide pet-safe, mist-free cooling solutions that work indoors and out, helping you protect your pets from the dangers of extreme heat. In this blog, we’ll show you how to keep your furry or feathered family members cool at home with evaporative cooling. 

Why heat safety is essential for pets at home 

Your dog or cat feels the heat before you do. Animals are more vulnerable to heat and heat-related conditions than humans. That’s because their bodies use different cooling mechanisms, like panting, which aren’t as effective in extreme heat. And unlike humans, they can’t just get up and change their clothes, put ice in their water, or take a cold shower to quickly cool down.  

How do I know when my pet is too hot?  

People sweat when it’s too hot, and this cools us down through a process called evaporative cooling. Unfortunately, dogs and cats can’t sweat so they try to cool down by panting or using their environment.  

Signs of heat stress in dogs and cats indicating that your pet may be too hot include: 

• Excessive panting or drooling 
• Fatigue, weakness, or difficulty standing 
• Rapid breathing and elevated heart rate 
• Bright red gums or tongue 
• Vomiting or diarrhea 

What are the heat risks for dogs, cats, and small animals? 

Just like in humans, heat can cause serious medical conditions in your pets, like heat stroke, dehydration, and organ failure. Overheating can affect their heartrate and respiration, hydration and feeding, and their behavior.   

“Heat can have detrimental effects on dogs in the summer. Because dogs don’t sweat, their bodies can become overheated quickly.” – Dr. Jennifer LaVigne, veterinarian  

Dogs, cats, and other small animals like rabbits, birds, and chickens are sensitive to higher temperatures. Even if you feel fine on a 75°F day, your pets may already be overheating. When the temperatures start climbing, their bodies can’t cool down fast enough. 

Common trouble spots in homes 

Animals try to use their environment to cool down. That’s why your dog loves to run through the sprinklers or dig into the cool dirt. Your cat splays out on tile floors or hides in the shadiest spot under your bed. Your bird, hamster, or rabbit drinks all their water.   

Help your pet stay cool by treating the trouble spots in your home: 

• Garages, sheds, and sunrooms with little to no insulation 
• Poorly ventilated patios and outdoor kennels 
• Sunrooms and rooms with large windows 
• Upstairs areas with no cooling 

Pet-safe cooling for your home 

You may already have air conditioning in your home, and you leave it on while you’re out for work. Air conditioning for pets can keep them cool while you’re away, but it may not be cooling down those troublesome hot spots. Furthermore, your pet’s kennel or cage might not have adequate ventilation, turning into a heat trap. Fans can help move the hot air around, but they can’t actually cool it.   

For targeted animal cooling, look to portable evaporative coolers. 

How to keep pets cool without A/C 

Unlike air conditioning, evap coolers can be wheeled around to deliver powerful spot cooling. While fans move around hot air, evaporative coolers actually cool the area down. Portacool evaporative coolers can lower the air temperature by as much as 30 degrees. 

Are portable coolers safe for pets? 

Portable evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are safe for humans and pets, and are ideal for cooling garages, sheds, and outdoor pet areas. 

• No chemicals or refrigerants: Portable evap coolers only use water and electricity. 
• Mist-free: Unlike misters, evaporative coolers keep fur, bedding, and litter dry. 
• Safe for sensitive ears: Portacool APEX Series evap coolers operate at the same volume as a dishwasher, making them safe for pet and human ears.   

How to keep pets cool during a power outage  

Make sure your pets have plenty of water and move them to the coolest parts of your home. To protect them, and yourself, from the heat, use a generator to power an evaporative cooler. Portable coolers use up seven times less electricity than air conditioners, making them a more reliable cooling solution during a blackout. 

Choosing the right cooler for pet spaces 

Portable evaporative coolers are a simple, safe solution for animal cooling. For versatile solutions that fit anywhere inside, and outside, your home, look to the Portacool APEX™ Series.  

How do I keep pets cool inside? 

Safely cool your pet’s favorite spots in your home. With an evap cooler, you can add targeted cooling to tight spaces, like kennels, cages, and garages.  

Cooling spaces for pets: 

• Position the APEX 500 near your pet’s kennel or cage to deliver targeted heat relief 
• Use the APEX 700 or APEX 1200 to cool a larger space like a garage 

How do I keep pets cool outside?  

Portacools work both indoors and outdoors, anywhere there’s access to fresh air. Just add water to the reservoir or connect to a hose, and power your cooler through an extension cord. Outdoor pets like backyard chickens, rabbits, or dogs all benefit from cooling with APEX units. 

Choose the right size evap cooler for your pet space: 

• For small patios, decks, and kennels up to 700 sq. ft., use the APEX 700. 
• For medium-sized patios up to 2,000 sq. ft., use the APEX 2000. 
• For large patios and kennels up to 6,500 sq. ft., use the APEX 6500. 

Cooling you—and your pets—can count on 

Your four-legged best friends deserve the best. Keep them cool and comfortable all summer long with a portable evaporative cooler. Portacools are pet-safe and portable, designed to provide targeted heat relief all over your home. From patios and decks to garages and kennels, portable coolers can lower temperatures by up to 30 degrees.  

Visit a Portacool dealer near you to find the perfect cooler for your pets.