Dogs love to play, go for walks and bounce around during the heat of the summer no matter how high the temperature seems to get. If you don't have an air conditioner or your dog spends a lot of time in the great outdoors during the warmer months, here are some fantastic cooling tips that you can use to keep your dog healthy and avoid heat stress during the summer.
* Bring out the popsicles!
You know what it's like when you're feeling overheated - it's not only the outside that's hot but the inside is burning up as well. When you reach for a popsicle you can actually feel the coolness sliding down your throat and it feels great!
You can make doggy-sicles that your canine will love! Any soup stock that is low in sodium or even baby food can be frozen to provide a dog-sicle during the heat of the day.
* Pull out a kiddie-pool
You can purchase a cheap kid's pool at any department store and fill it up with water for your dog to enjoy. Even if he isn’t a big fan of taking baths he may absolutely love the pool. Try introducing him to the new pool without forcing him to get in. Use treats to lure him into the water step by step. Place a few of his favorite plastic or rubber toys in the pool and see if he'll go in on his own. Otherwise, if he seems reluctant, you may want to crawl into the pool yourself and then invite him to come on in and play it with you!
* Keep him hydrated
Your dog must have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Water will prevent dehydration, which can happen quickly during extreme heat.
* Provide shelter
A dog can get sunburn if it is left out in the sun too long, particularly if they have a thin coat or like to lie on their back exposing their belly. There must be some shade around to prevent any overheating or burning. Every dog deserves a shady cool place to relax outside that's protected from the direct rays of the sun.
* Have some hose time
What could be better than pulling out the hose and having some old-fashioned splashing fun with your dog? Most dogs love this type of play and you'll end up getting drenched in the process as well. Sometimes the best kind of fun is something unplanned and as simple as making a game with the garden hose.
* Last but not least…
Of course, it goes without saying that you must never leave any type of animal alone in a vehicle during the summer months. Even if the weather feels somewhat cool outside, it doesn't take long for the heat of the sun to turn your car into an oven. Instead, leave your dog at home if you need to do some errands and then spend some time with him when you get home.
Lots of pet owners get creative with keeping their beloved pets cool in the heat of the summer. When we're not blessed with a pool or lakeside cottage, we tend to improvise on how to keep ourselves cool, so why not our pets? What are some creative ways you've kept your dog chilling during the hot dog days of summer?
Susan Wright is an experienced veterinarian, dog fence expert, and freelance writer. To learn more about Susan’s work and the products Susan represents visit www.dogfencediy.com
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