You and your dog may go stir crazy if you try and stay inside an air-conditioned oasis until the weather cools off. So, you need to find ways to get outside while doing your best to beat the heat. As you may know, dog’s don’t sweat, which means they can overheat quicker we do. Always make sure your dog has access to plenty of water and shade during the summer months.
Here in Texas, it can get especially hot, we love hanging by the pool [aka in the pool] and spending as much time in the shade as possible. Here are a few other tricks to help keep your furry friend cool.
- Walk your dog in the early morning or late at night.
Note: it is still 90+ degrees at 9pm in Fort Worth, we take our walks in the early morning. Asphalt can get very hot and radiates heat, so let your dog walk on the grass or concrete as much as possible. - Ice!
Keep your dog cool and busy with a big block of ice. You can buy these from the grocery store OR make your own. Fill a silicon mold with water [can also use a mix of water and chicken broth], add chopped apples, carrots or small treats and freeze. Remove from mold and watch your dog go crazy. Ice cubes cool your dog down from the inside – kind of like drinking a refreshing glass of lemonade. [Note: My pup Nora LOVES chasing ice cubes around the house. I’ll fill a second water bowl up with ice cubes and let her dig them out until they melt (or until she gets bored).] - Cooling Vests
Buy a cooling vest for any afternoon walks. Simply get the vest wet with cool water and put it on Fido. Cooling vests work by allowing your dog to stay several degrees cooler via evaporative cooling, similar to the way sports cooling towels work for humans. If you don’t have a cooling vest, wrap a cooling towel around your dog when you get back home. - Kiddie Pools!
Fill a kiddie pool with water and let your dog play. Running in and out of the water keeps them occupied AND cool. - Doggy Pupsicles!
Give your dog a frozen smoothie or peanut butter pop [directions here]. It’s delicious & cooling. - Cooling Pads
If you don’t have a lot of tile in your house, get your dog a cooling mat and keep it on their bed. It feels great on their stomachs and works just like the cold tile floor does. - Create Shade.
Set up a beach umbrella or pop up tent in your backyard with a blanket or bed underneath for a cool place to nap. - Know your dog’s breed.
Some dogs can tolerate the heat better than others. Don’t push a dog that has been bred for the snow to exercise in the heat.
Keep an eye on your dog for sign of heat stroke. As always, if you are unsure if your dog is overheating, check with your vet for tell-tale signs and other precautions you can take to keep him cool.