Dog Days of Summer: How to keep your pup cool this summer.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your dog, all the road trips, hikes, trips to the dog park, but it’s important to take steps to keep your furry friend safe from the heat. Heat stroke is a very real and scary thing. Here are some of my favorite summer tips for dogs:

Provide plenty of fresh water. Dogs can get dehydrated quickly in hot weather, so it’s important to make sure they always have access to fresh, clean water. Change the water frequently and refill it as needed. This is my favorite water bowl to take everywhere with us. I keep mine in the car so i never have to think about it. It’s just always with me.

Avoid strenuous exercise on hot days. Let’s beat the heat. Dogs can overheat easily, so it’s important to avoid strenuous exercise on hot days. If you’re going to be exercising your dog, do it early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler outside. If you’re super active like my family that’s a hard tip to follow. Just provide plenty of breaks in the shade and access to water when needed.

Keep your dog in the shade. The sun can be very hot for dogs, so it’s important to keep them in the shade whenever possible. Try and keep those super cute outfits off of them if possible when doing exercise or extended time outside. Dogs don’t sweat like us so it’s important to keep them cool.

Be aware of the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious condition that can be fatal to dogs. If you see any of the following signs of heat stroke, call your veterinarian immediately:

Take your dog to the beach or pool. If you’re looking for a way to cool your dog down, take them to the beach or pool. Swimming is a great way for dogs to cool off and get some exercise. We use the Tozzey dog and kid pool. It is extremely durable from those nails. Its small enough I don’t worry about with my kids. (even when my son dumps tons of dirt in the pool.) Its easy to dump/ clean every day.

Use a cooling vest or towel. There are a number of cooling products available for dogs, such as cooling vests and towels. These products can help to keep your dog cool and comfortable on hot days.

Trim your dog’s fur. If your dog has long fur, consider trimming it short during the summer months. This will help to keep them cool and comfortable.

Never leave your dog in a hot car. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to dangerous levels. Never leave your dog in a car unattended, even for a few minutes.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your dog safe and comfortable during the summer months.