5 Tips To Keep Your Dog Cool In The Summer

Unlike you and I, your dog isn’t able to release heat through its sweat glands. While humans have sweat glands all over their bodies, your pooch only has them in areas that aren’t covered by fur. This means he or she has to rely on less effective methods to cool themselves off.

Panting and Vasodilation (dilating of the blood vessels) are the main ways your pup releases heat. As you can imagine these aren’t the most effective methods to turn down the heat! This is why it’s up to you to help keep your dog cool in the summer!

Try these five tips to keep your dog cool in the summer;

Dog Paddling Pool

If you’re short on space a dog paddling pool is a great alternative to a full-sized doggie pool. They give your pooch just enough space to lie down and cool themselves without taking up the whole back yard. Having a separate pool for your dog is more hygienic than sharing yours, which is a must if you have kids in the house.

This is one of the best ways to keep your dog cool and it’s a good choice for pups of any age. Older dogs will love having a chilly spot to lay about, while puppies will have fun splashing around. These pools are quite durable and are usually made from a tough polyurethane material. This means that bites, scratches, or playful nibbles won’t cause any accidental holes.

Offer Lots Of Cold Water

This might sound like a no-brainer but it’s extra important that your dog has lots of cold water in the summer. Try adding ice cubes to their dish to keep them cool and be sure to bring a collapsible dish when you take them for a walk.

At a minimum, your dog should have a cold drink every hour! But, in the summertime try to encourage more frequent visits to help your doggie keep cool. Your dog will enjoy the added ice cubes which make a great form of entertainment as they float by.

When you’re out, look for areas with a water fountain so you will have access to cold water. Or, buy a bottle of water to fill their bowl. This will be more refreshing than giving them tepid water you packed from the house.

Your Dog A Frozen Treat

Frozen treats aren’t just for humans, they’re an excellent way to keep your pup cool too! Try making a homemade popsicle just for dogs or another kind of icy delight. There are a ton of great recipes available and they’re easy to make. By adding real fruits you will make the snacks a healthy choice.

When you’re planning a long walk try bringing along some frozen treats in a cooler. This way they won’t unthaw too quickly. Any kind of insulated bag will do and there are plenty of purse-sized options available.

If you don’t want to make the treats there are several quality options you can buy from the pet store. Just be sure that the ingredients aren’t going to pack any extra pounds on your pooch.

A Shady Spot Will Keep Your Dog Cool In The Summer

Have you ever been so hot while you were at the beach that you’ve retreated to the tree line in seek of shade? Well, your dog would certainly appreciate a shady spot to lounge about while you bask in the summer sun. If there’s no shade in sight there are a few easy ways to improvise.

If you plan on spending the day at the beach be sure to pack an extra towel. When there aren’t any trees nearby you can use the extra towel to make a shady cave for your pup to enjoy. Try draping the towel over a log and securing the end with a book or even your beach bag.

Also needless to say a big umbrella could also do the trick if you wanted to bring one of them along with you as well.

Invest In A Handheld Fan

You’ve probably seen those mini handheld fans before?! Well, they are great for cooling off your puppy when it’s hot. Just like you enjoy a nice breeze on a warm day, your dog will love having the wind on their fur.

Take rests along your walk where you stop to fan them. Try fanning for at least 5 to 10 minutes to really lower their temperature.

Sarah x