With rising summer temperatures, your dog can really feel the heat. Keeping your dog cool is vital for his well being, as heat stroke in dogs is a life-threatening condition.
Keep reading for 5 amazingly simple ways to keep your furry friends safe from the heat!
1. Water
While this may be obvious, it is an especially important step. If your dog finishes the bowl quickly, get a bigger bowl or get a few bowls. Enact a family roster to ensure that someone is remembering to check and refill the bowl throughout the day.
2. Kiddie Pool for the Furry Kids
Give your dog somewhere to get wet! Set up a small wading pool or similar container of water for your dog to jump into and keep his cool in the yard. (Cheap plastic child-sized pools are great for this) He might also like to run under the sprinkler.
3. Cool That Tummy
Let your dog spend the hottest part of the day in the coolest part of the house. Ever notice your dog sprawled across your tile floor on a hot day?
Providing access to the cooler areas of your home is an easy way to ensure your furry friends don’t overheat! If you don’t have cool flooring or your dog is outside, you can apply this principal by soaking a towel in cold water and letting your dog lie on that.
4. Proper Grooming is Important
Have a groomer clip your dog’s fur. This is especially important for dogs with thick, long coats. Take care that your groomer does not shave the dog completely. Leaving skin exposed can increase the chances of sunburn. The undercoat is actually part of a dog’s natural cooling system, but if not properly maintained it can become matted and prevent air flow across your dogs skin. Frequent brushing helps remove and “dead” fur and keeps your pets coat healthy and comfortable.
5. Treats!
Give cool or cold treats or ice cubes, a few at a time. Dog ice cream can be found in specialty or pet stores, but if you like you can make your own. Frozen broth popsicles are another easy frozen treat your dog will love; simply fill ice cube trays or popsicle molds with your (low-sodium) broth of choice, chill and serve! Chilled cucumber is another no-prep option that is full of water.
Heat stroke and overheating is a serious condition. If your dog is panting excessively, moving sluggishly, acts woozy, or loses consciousness, call your veterinarian immediately!
While this may be obvious, it is an especially important step. If your dog finishes the bowl quickly, get a bigger bowl or get a few bowls. Enact a family roster to ensure that someone is remembering to check and refill the bowl throughout the day.
Give your dog somewhere to get wet! Set up a small wading pool or similar container of water for your dog to jump into and keep his cool in the yard. (Cheap plastic child-sized pools are great for this) He might also like to run under the sprinkler.
Let your dog spend the hottest part of the day in the coolest part of the house. Ever notice your dog sprawled across your tile floor on a hot day? Providing access to the cooler areas of your home is an easy way to ensure your furry friends don’t overheat! If you don’t have cool flooring or your dog is outside, you can apply this principal by soaking a towel in cold water and letting your dog lie on that.
Have a groomer clip your dog’s fur. This is especially important for dogs with thick, long coats. Take care that your groomer does not shave the dog completely. Leaving skin exposed can increase the chances of sunburn. The undercoat is actually part of a dog’s natural cooling system, but if not properly maintained it can become matted and prevent air flow across your dogs skin. Frequent brushing helps remove and “dead” fur and keeps your pets coat healthy and comfortable.
Give cool or cold treats or ice cubes, a few at a time. Dog ice cream can be found in specialty or pet stores, but if you like you can make your own. Frozen broth popsicles are another easy frozen treat your dog will love; simply fill ice cube trays or popsicle molds with your (low-sodium) broth of choice, chill and serve! Chilled cucumber is another no-prep option that is full of water.
Heat stroke and overheating is a serious condition. If your dog is panting excessively, moving sluggishly, acts woozy, or loses consciousness, call your veterinarian immediately!