Six Tips for Keeping your Dogs Cool in the Summer Heat

During the long hot days of summer, it can be difficult to stay cool — especially when you’re wearing a fur coat. It’s easy for your best friend to overheat, which poses dangers to his health. Luckily, there are some simple ways to help keep your dog comfortable during the hot summer months. Please remember certain breeds are more prone to overheating than others—especially the brachycephalic breeds which include English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs (all of the flat nosed breeds). So you must be extra careful during the hot weather!

Get Up Early for Walks
Your dog still needs exercise during the summer — but you don’t want to take him out during the hottest hours of the day. Instead, wake up a little early to take your pooch for a walk or wait until after the sun sets in the evening to go for a stroll.

Provide Lots of Cool Water
You may notice your dog lapping up more water than usual on hot days, so make sure to keep his bowl filled with fresh water. He might also appreciate some ice cubes in there to keep it extra cool. And if the bowl is outside, check to make sure that the bowl remains in the shade throughout the day.

Give Them Icy Treats
Dogs appreciate a cool treat on a hot day just as much as the kids do. Ice cubes are great or freezing his Kong with dog-safe ingredients like bananas, peanut butter or chicken broth to make a homemade “pupcicle.”

Play in the Water
Going for a swim or running through the sprinklers is a great way to leave your pup cool and happy. Keep in mind, though, that not all dogs know how to swim. Your dog might need a life vest to stay safe in the pool, river, lake or ocean. And some dogs shouldn’t swim at all, so it’s best to ask your veterinarian before taking the plunge.

Teach Your Dog to Drink From a Water Bottle
This is a handy trick when you’re out exercising with your dog. Drinking from a water bottle comes naturally to some dogs, but others need a little help. There are also water troughs available that will attach to a plastic water bottle for a bowl on the go.

Leave Him at Home
Your dog might love going everywhere with you, but keep in mind that when it’s hot out, he might be happier at home. That will help you avoid leaving him in a car that can quickly heat up. Another simple way to help your dog stay comfortable is to give him access to rooms in the house that tend to be cooler than others — a cold tile floor, for example, is great for napping on in the summer!