The present invention relates to a method in which an animal is cooled and to apparatus for cooling an animal, in particular a cow. The method includes the step of determining the condition of the animal (5) and/or of the environment in which the animal (5) is located. The method is characterised by the further steps of selecting a method of cooling the animal (5), wherein the selected cooling method is chosen on the basis of the determined condition; and cooling the animal with the selected cooling method.