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How To Keep Your Dog Cool During Summer!
Use our tips and tricks to keep your dog cool and comfy as temperatures continue to rise.
When you’re finding it hard to beat the heat on hot summer days, just imagine how much warmer your fur-covered dog may be feeling. While those fur coats come in handy in the winter, they can make it much harder for your dog to stay cool during the dog days of summer. Unlike humans, dogs don’t have the ability to sweat to cool themselves off. Instead, dogs have to rely on panting and releasing heat through the few areas of their body that aren’t covered in fur, such as their paws. That said, there are many ways for you to lend your pup a helping hand (or paw) to keep them comfortable this summer.
Shade & Hydration:
First and foremost, your dog needs access to ample shade and hydration to ward off heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can become fatal. Avoid taking your dog for walks or letting him play outside during the hottest part of the day. Always make sure he has access to shade, clean water, and ideally a cool, well-ventilated space away from direct sunlight. If you don’t have air conditioning, a fan could be used to help cool your pup off!
If your pet appears to be getting overheated, you can wet your dog’s coat or submerge him in cool or lukewarm water. This will help lower your pet’s body temperature and might be fun for him if he likes to swim! Just make sure the water isn’t too cold or freezing. And if you do think your dog is showing signs of heat-related illness, contact your veterinarian right away for the next steps.
Additionally, some pet owners will put ice cubes in their fur baby’s water bowl as a fun treat! Not only do dogs like to play with the ice cubes, but it cools them off and prevents them from drinking water too quickly. If your dog ingests too much air while gulping down water, he could potentially end up with a condition called bloat, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt to make sure your furry friend stays hydrated at a slow and steady pace.
Get Creative With Treats & Toys:
Next, you can use your dog's toys and treats in creative ways to keep them cool! For example, if your dog is a KONG lover, fill his KONG with something you can freeze, such as peanut butter or chicken broth. If you don’t own a KONG, consider pouring a layer of chicken broth onto a Lickimat or old Tupperware container and freezing it. Once it’s frozen, your dog will have a tasty treat to lick that will also keep him cool.
Speaking of treats, you can also try your hand at making your own! For example, you could try out our recipe for making frozen pumpkin treats that are good for your dog’s digestive system here! Additionally, many people make their dogs DIY popsicles out of things like chicken broth, peanut butter, and greek yogurt. But if your dog prefers toys over treats, make sure to invest in some freezable toys that will keep your pet cool during playtime!
Shop Cooling Pet Products:
Especially if you don’t have air conditioning, we recommend investing in pet products that are designed to keep your dog cool, happy, and healthy! These pet products won’t break the bank but will go a long way in making sure your pet can beat the heat. Check out some of our favorites below!
Get more great inspiration, ideas, and pet parent tips on Dabl! Check our Dabl TV schedule and find out where to watch Dabl TV.