Staying cool is essential during the heat of summer. Here’s a few tips to keep your pup safe, while still having fun. Summer is here, and you and your dog want to go outside and play. But it’s so hot. Intense heat can lead to breathing problems – especially in flat-faced dogs – and heatstroke can happen in the blink of an eye. Luckily, there are many creative ways to help Fido stay cool all summer long. 1. Hydration It’s important that both you and your dog stay hydrated, especially during the summer heat. Drink plenty of fluids and provide your dog with ample cool water. To encourage your dog to drink during outings and to boost his system, place one cup of bone broth in his water bowl or travel bottle. To help keep his water cool, you can freeze the bone broth and add it as frozen cubes! 2. Shade Keep in mind that direct sun can quickly cause heat exhaustion and heatstroke. When taking your dog for a walk, seek shady parks. If your dog has a fenced-in yard, encourage him to play under the shelter of trees, or invest in an awning to shade his favorite play area. 3. Doggie pool A fun way to keep your dog cool is to provide him with his own doggie pool. And you can enjoy the fun, too! Put on your bathing suit and get in to entice your pup to play. Squirt guns and other pool toys are a fun way to get the whole family involved. Wagner LOVES his pool! Penny loves to race through it at top speed, but is not much of a swimmer, and Skittles....well she "supervises" A word of caution. Do not allow your dog to drink or gulp too much water as this can lead to water intoxication, (which can be life threatening) and they can also barf it up once back in the house...lovely. 4. Sand box Dogs love to dig – and it helps keep them cool by exposing cooler ground! Encourage your four-legged friend to dig a hole and lie down. If he seems uninterested in the activity, try hiding stuffed chew toys and other favorite goodies in a sandbox so he has some hidden treasures to uncover. If you have a large yard, combine the pool and sandbox idea to create your very own beach! And then you can call me to schedule your next grooming appointment as the sand and water can also cause Fluffy to look scruffy. 5. Frozen treats Summer is a great time for frozen dog treats. Grab your dog’s favorite cooling foods such as pears, cucumbers, strawberries, blueberries, melons or oranges. Peel, dice and puree, and toss into the blender with a mint leaf for added coolness. Add the mixture to ice cube trays or your dog’s favorite hollow toy, and freeze. In 24 hours, your dog will have a frozen treat to delight his taste buds. PLEASE make sure if you are going to ad fruit that you ask your vet or google to make sure the foods/fruits added are safe for your pet! (Grapes are highly poisonous to dogs!!) 6. Stay indoors There will be times when you and your dog should stay indoors. This is a great time to play some indoor games, teach your dog some tricks, or head to your favorite dog-friendly store! If your dog has a lot of energy, take him for short swims, and walk him after dark to avoid the sun’s hot rays. Always keep your companion animals indoors during spells of high heat or humidity. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your dog! Also, if you are j=headed out on a W-A-L-K (or jog or run for that matter) place the BACK of your hand on the sidewalk, if YOU can't keep it there for 5 seconds, the ground is TO HOT for your dogs pads and can cause serious injuries and burning! Summer is an exciting time – but safety should always come first. These tips will help you and your dog beat the heat while having a blast!
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BethanyI've been a groomer for almost 20 years. After working for big corporations and veterinary hospitals I have found the peace of working for myself and at home. Here are some of the things that happen, and tips on how to care for your pet. Archives
October 2020
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