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Tips to keep your dog cool this summer, from hot weather care to clever ice bowl hack
With summer now in full bloom and temperatures reaching concerningly high on the thermometer, it has never been more important to keep your dog cool, collected, and safe.
From BBQs to pool visits, and, of course, vacations, it’s no surprise that summer is the preferred season of the American public. Our pets also love it too, but unfortunately, they are not the best at taking care of themselves.
As their registered guardian, that responsibility naturally falls to you.
Though countless charities and organizations like Petco regularly publish information on summer pet care, those helpful tidbits are usually stretched across numerous sites.
In an effort to gather all the information in one place, The Focus has crafted the ultimate summer pet guide for our readers. Take a look.
Keeping your dog cool is paramount
Depending on where you live, you might be contending with hot weather all year round, but for most, summer is by far the sunniest season. As such, walking your pooch becomes more difficult, but not impossible.
Most experts suggest walking your dog during the morning or evening hours when the sun is less prominent and harmful UV rays do less damage. In July, vet Kathleen Pohl revealed that the optimal temperature for dogs is between 5�C and 15�C.
At 16�C-19�C you should be more cautious, and once it reaches between 20�C and 23�C, you should refrain from waking your dog unless necessary. Anything above 24�C is “very uncomfortable” for your companion and could result in heat stroke.
Keeping your dog cool during the summer is about more than shielding them from the sun. It’s also vital to maintain their hydration, which can be done through a number of clever hacks.
In May, dog owners became obsessed with a TikTok ice bowl hack that called for fruit to be frozen in a bowl shape for your dog to enjoy. Other social media users were filling the bowl with water for extended hydration throughout the day.
If you’re partial to ice cream in the summer, then chances are your dog is too. You are unable to give your pooch some of yours due to the dairy content, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some dog-friendly popsicles!
Popular ingredients include watermelon (without the seeds), greek yogurt, chicken broth, carrots, apple, pumpkin, and sweet potato.
Your pooch still needs to exercise
If temperatures exceed the recommended level for dog safety, then you might find yourself trapped inside with an over-excited pup. If that’s the case, it’s time for some indoor activities to tire them out.
Natural health expert Dr. Tyna Moore went viral earlier in July after she appeared on Steven Bartletts Diary Of A CEO podcast to suggest doing squats with your dog.
Just pick up your dog. Shes got two different dogs that are two different sizes. Im like just do squats with your dog, she said.
There is more than one way to skin a cat, or in this case, tire a dog out. Another avenue to explore could be enrichment activities, which are known to exhaust a pooch through the power of sniffing.
Though options are plentiful, a board game you can play with your dog has gained countless fans since it was first released in October 2023.
Unleash the fun (and even sneak in a little training) with this simple, silly game where humans laugh, dogs win, and best friends matter most, the description reads.
Summer is full of safety concerns for your dog
Summer safety is about more than the sun, as with the change of weather, comes a whole host of new hazards for you to be aware of.
If you’re spending time at the grill this summer, then exercise caution when it comes to the food you leave in easily reachable locations. Many foods are toxic to dogs including, but not limited to, ice cream, onions, cherries, and raw potatoes.
It’s a dangerous world for them as your pooch rarely understands that some plants are poisonous to dogs. Common garden plants to watch out for include Azaleas, daffodils, and Lilies.
With new information constantly coming out, the information we have long-followed tends to be replaced with new and improved advice. One such example could be tennis balls, which have always been the go-to toy for dog owners. It turns out they can be quite harmful.
In June, dog trainer Pack Leader Dogs (@packleaderdogs) explained that tennis balls are a choking hazard, abrasive to your pet’s mouth, and could contain harmful dyes and toxins.
Your dog’s health should always be prioritized
Though most humans are aware of seasonal allergies and the grief they can spark in us, some might not know that our four-legged friends can also be afflicted with allergies. From pollen to fleas, food to fabric conditioners, doggy allergies are just as expansive as their human companions.
At the start of June, Dr Emma Scales-Theobald told The Focus to watch out for excessive scratching,
sneezing, puffy and watery eyes, red and inflamed skin, hives, hot spots, head shaking or rubbing their face, hair loss, and breathing issues.
If you are unlucky enough to find a tick burrowing into your dog, then be sure to remove the whole body and not just the head. Following that, Dr. Lee Wai Wais suggested flushing the tick down the toilet to avoid its eggs hatching in your home.
Despite the beach being a source of joy for many dogs, with the added benefit of being tick-free, seawater does pose a risk to their overall health.
Just small amounts can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, vet Dr. Andrew Jones said on TikTok, but large amounts can also spark more serious conditions like seizures, coma, and death.
