How To Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Giving Some General Tips On How To Keep Your Dog Cool, Comfortable, And Safe During The Summer Heat

Everyone, including your dog, is very excited about the summer season! It’s a time to embrace the warm weather, bask in the sunshine, and enjoy the outdoors. However, summer can be a difficult time of the year for your dog if they’re not fully prepared. This article will serve as a general guide to help manage your dog during the summer weather and temperatures. 

Fresh Haircut

When it comes to summertime, your dog should look and feel their best. As responsible pet owners, it’s our duty to set our dogs up for success. That’s why we recommend getting your dog groomed as soon as the weather warms up. According to the A.K.C. (American Kennel Club) a dog’s primary sweat glands are located in pads of their paws. This means dogs can’t use their sweat to cool off through evaporation (the way humans do). 

Because dogs can’t cool their bodies through sweating and they can’t remove their fur coats, they are very susceptible to heat stroke. This is why it’s so important to keep your dog well groomed during the hot summer months. Be sure to brush your dog daily to remove excess fur and schedule routine grooming appointments throughout the summer (roughly every 3 to 4 weeks). Your dog will look and feel much better! 

Designated Areas To Stay Cool

Most dogs love to be outside during summer. They love to run, play, and roll around in the grass like goofballs. However, too much sun can be a bad thing. As previously mentioned, dogs are very susceptible to heat stroke during the hot summer season. That’s why we recommend providing them with designated areas for them to cool off and get some reprieve from the sun. 

When outdoors, make sure they have access to a shaded area such as under a patio umbrella, under a tree, or an awning. When indoors, be mindful of the temperature of your home. Be sure to utilize your air conditioning and/or fans to provide ample circulation throughout the house. 

Frozen Treats

Everyone loves a good frozen treat during the summer heat! Ice cream, milkshakes, and popsicles are refreshing and delicious when it’s hot out. Although our furry friends shouldn’t eat these things, there are some pet friendly alternatives. We suggest making some D.I.Y. frozen treats for your furry friend this summer! They’re easy to make, cost effective, and contain healthy ingredients for your pooch. 

Common ingredients found in D.I.Y. frozen dog treats include pumpkin puree, bananas, apple sauce, strawberries, watermelon, greek yogurt, and peanut butter. Click here to find a full list of different D.I.Y. frozen dog treat recipes. We suggest using these recipes as a stepping stone into making your own frozen dog treats and eventually making your own recipes that suit your dog’s taste buds. 

Hydration Is Essential 

We can’t stress enough how important proper hydration is for your dog during the summer heat. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water both indoors and outdoors. Stagnant water can become filled with bacteria and mildew over time. So, we suggest emptying and refilling your dog’s water bowls at least twice a day.

Dogs can sometimes be picky or stubborn about drinking water. That’s why we recommend investing in a pet water fountain. A pet water fountain will provide a constant flow of water that will decrease the chance of mold and bacteria build up. They are easy to clean, can hold a large amount of water, and usually come with filters to ensure your dog is drinking the cleanest water possible. For a more comprehensive list of the best pet water fountains on the market, go to NYTimes.com. 

Remember To Schedule A Pet Sitter

With the summer weather comes summer vacations! You’ve more than likely already planned your summer vacations. However, you may not have planned who will be caring for your pets. Your pets deserve the best care possible! That’s why you should hire the pet professionals at Lucky Dogs & Cool Cats Pet Sitting.

With over 7 years of experience working with pets, you can confidently leave your pets behind knowing they will get the best care possible. Click here to become a client or give us a call at (919)-372-5985. We look forward to hearing from you and happy summer!