© oneinchpunch
Your dog is your best friend. You care about them tremendously and don’t want them to get hurt. It’s important to pay special attention to your pet in the summer when the temperatures are hot. As the pet owner, you know best and need to take care of your dog since they can’t always take care of themselves.
Understand the repercussions for not ensuring your dog is cool in warm weather. This will motivate you to take it seriously and not mess around. Be responsible, and read up on the best ways to avoid overheating and take action right away to protect your dog. See tips for keeping your dog cool in the summer.
Shelter
If you’re outside a lot in the summer, get an underground dog house to protect your pet. There are cooling vents installed in the structure and they’re very safe. It’s great for all weather patterns and keeps your dog dry in the rain. It’s perfect shelter away from the heat and sun in the summertime. Dogs love being outside, so avoid banishing them to the indoors if you don’t have to. They want to be in nature and are excellent watchdogs for detecting danger in the neighborhood. The dog house will allow your pet to be where they like it best, outdoors, without any concerns to their safety.
Ice Cubes
Give your dog ice cubes or cold treats when they’re feeling overheated. This is a great way to reward and cool them off at the same time. Make a game of it once they’re not overheated and throw the ice cubes so they have to fetch them. They love this because they know it’s edible and gives them a chance to get some water. Ice cubes are a budget-friendly way to make your pet happy and cooled off in an instant. They love them and won’t want to stop nibbling on them once they have the ice cubes in their possession.
Hose
Use your hose to cool off your dog. Be kind and gentle with them, but spray them down and have them roll around in the water. It’s easy and works like a charm. Turn the hose to different spray patterns and watch them splash around as they quickly cool off. Keep a hose in your backyard for those times you don’t want to run inside to get water. Use it to fill their water dish and cool down their fur.
Water Dish
Always make sure you bring a water dish outside and with you wherever you go with your pet in the summertime. If you go hiking, bring your own water and dish with you so you can stop and provide your pet with water as soon as they need it. This goes for wherever you may travel with them during the warm months. Always have a water dish in and around your home too. Buy multiple dishes so you can set a few around the house and have others for when you travel. Allow your dog access to water at their leisure. Make it as easy as possible for them to get to fresh water whenever you’re with them. They’ll start panting and can quickly overheat, which is exactly why you want to have water available at all times.
Pet Pool
Every dog needs a pet pool. Get a blowup pool for your backyard in the summer. They’ll play in it and run in and out of it to happily cool off. If you have multiple dogs or a dog friend, it’s fun to watch them play and splash around as they chase each other. A pet pool is great because it’s nice for cooling off their fur and they can also drink out of it. Little pools aren’t just for kids anymore. You’ll be surprised at how often they’ll jump in and out of it throughout the course of an afternoon. This way you can have them outside for longer periods of time without having to worry about hydration.
Keep your Home Cool
Turn your air conditioner on and cool off your pet in the summertime. You’ll also enjoy the lower temperatures as you move around your house. It’s important that their space is cool and comfortable. You don’t want them sweating and panting in the house. Get them a cooler spot to sleep in the summertime and put away any warm blankets.
Remove them from the Car
Never keep dogs in the car for extended periods of time when you’re not in it. This is unsafe and dangerous to their health. You risk the dog overheating and not being able to bring itself to a sustainable temperature. A car can quickly soar in temperature on the inside, even when it’s not that hot outside. Take the dog with you when you leave the car or don’t bring them with in the first place. Signs of overheating include a rapid heartrate, heavy drooling and panting. Visit your vet right away if you notice these indicators.
Exercise Smart
Be careful when you’re exercising with your pet. Even though you want to take them running and hiking, be mindful if it’s safe for them to go with you. Try exercising outside in the morning or evening when the temperatures are more mild. Don’t assume that just because you don’t think it’s that hot out, that your pet will be fine. Be smart and put safety first. Walk if you have to and get your pet to shelter right away if you see any signs of overheating. Limit how much you do when it’s hot and humid. Be careful of your dog’s paws on the hot concrete and let them walk on the grass.
Sprinkler
When you’re outside, set out a sprinkler for your dog to run around in. If you have kids, they’ll all be able to join in the fun. It’s also nice for you because you can water your grass at the same time you entertain your pet and kids and keep them safe.
Conclusion
Summer is a fun season with lots of great outdoor activities, but it also gets very hot. Watch out for the safety of your pet and pay attention to their needs. These are tips for keeping your dog cool in the summer.
