Summer is fun. It’s the season when many outdoor activities happen. No wonder humans and our precious little doggies love it, too.
However, humidity and hot weather can sometimes go extreme during this time. To avoid untoward incidents, keep your fur baby summer-safe.
Humans sweat to cool themselves down. Dogs don’t. They only pant, and panting isn’t enough during extreme heat. (Technically, their pads sweat, too, but that’s a minimal amount and wouldn’t cool them down.)
If your house doesn’t have air conditioning, or if it does, but your dog doesn’t want to stay indoors, here are some tips to help keep your dog cool.
Keep him hydrated with fresh cool water.
Keeping your dog hydrated is very important. This is even more crucial in hot weather, so always have some fresh water available for him. Put his water dish in a shaded area and frequently change it to keep it fresh and cool.
You may also install a watering system connected to a faucet. These systems are designed to dispense water as needed through a particular motion.
In addition, make some homemade chilled treats too.
Protect him from the sun.
Indeed, your little pooch would enjoy some sunbathing time. However, this shouldn’t take long, as it could also result in heat exhaustion and sunburn.
Applying sunscreen is an option, but it isn’t ideal. Still, the best thing to do is to prepare some shelter. Putting him under a tree would be nice, but a better solution is having an actual structure to protect him from the sun.
Make his dog house insulated, well-ventilated, and large enough for his size. Alternatively, you can also build a canopy or an open-air tent. Please put it in a shaded area and add a fan to make it extra cool.
Your home is still the best shelter. Install a doggie door so he can quickly enter and exit the house.
Set up a dog pool.
Most dogs love playing in cool water. Suppose your dog is one of them; why not set up a large tub or a molded plastic kiddie pool (not the inflatable one) in your backyard? Please put it in a shaded area and frequently change the water. Once your dog is done playing, remove the water to avoid attracting mosquitos.
Another option is running a sprinkler. Most dogs enjoy the pool more than sprinklers, though.
Get him a cooling dog bed.
A regular dog beg is nice, but this can be too warm for summer. Because of that, you might notice your dog opting to lie down on the tile or concrete floor.
So, get him a cooling dog bed instead of a regular one. This also has the same soft and comfortable feel, only with the added coolness that your precious fur baby longs for. It’s made either of water or gel-like material, which keeps the bed excellent.
There are many other options for cooling your dog down. But remember, nothing beats fresh, cool water and shade in times like this.
Also, remember that a dog’s primary way of cooling is by panting. Cooler air would best keep him from heat exhaustion. Keep an eye on him and immediately contact your vet if you see any signs of heat stroke.
