As the summer months kick into full gear, we’re doing all we can to keep cool in the relentless heat. And just as we need to keep ourselves cool, so too must we consider how to keep our dogs cool in the summer months.

Unfortunately, our furry companions are unable to voice when they’re getting too warm. The best way to make sure your dog isn’t overheating as you both bask in the sunlight is to invest in methods of keeping your dog cool from the start. Don’t wait until your pup is overheating to start trying to cool them down with the following tips and tricks.

How Diet Can Keep Your Dog Comfortable

You’ve probably read a hundred ways to keep your dog cool in the summer, but did you know that diet can help keep them cool from the inside out?! Eastern Food Therapy teaches us that foods have Warming, Neutral, or Cooling energies. Warm dogs need Cooling foods to balance them, and vice versa. And that means you can also use Cooling foods to keep your pup comfortable in the heat!

For example, Side by Side’s Cooling recipes contain Cooling foods like rabbit, apple, and celery. These foods have a high water content, and they're cooling to the system. Another example of a Cooling food is pollock. This fish spends its days in the cold waters of the North Pacific Ocean, so it too has the power to cool a warm body.

With Cooling foods and treats, you can balance your dog and help keep them cool from the inside out during the warm summer months.

9 Additional Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Heat

1. Provide Fresh Water

Just like humans, your furry friend can easily become dehydrated under the heat of the sun. Provide access to cool, fresh water all the time. This can mean investing in a travel bowl for when you’re out and about or setting up multiple water bowls around your home.

2. Invest in a Small Pool

Whether it’s a fun kiddie pool or a moving sprinkler system, your dog will be beyond excited to splash around in the summer heat. These affordable water-filled options are a great way to keep your dog (and yourself!) cool and have some fun along the way.

3. Find Shade Frequently

When outside for picnics and other activities, stake out a shady spot where you and your pup can escape the sun’s rays. If the shade isn’t enough to cool your dog down, you’ll want to head inside to the air conditioning quickly for a much-needed reprieve.

4. Be Cautious of Midday Heat

Be cautious when it comes to midday activities since that’s typically when the worst of the heat sets in. During the hottest months of the year, it may be best to spend afternoons indoors and use the early mornings and evenings for walks.

5. Avoid Hot Pavement

If you wouldn’t walk barefoot on the sidewalk (or in the sand), your dog shouldn’t either. Fun-filled beach days or long walks to the park are always welcomed experiences, but you won’t want your pup to burn their adorable little paws.

6. Consider Cooling Gear

If you’re planning a long hike or setting up camp for the day in the nearest dog park, having a cooling collar, mat, or vest on your dog can help regulate their temperature and keep them comfortable.

7. Manage Your Pup’s Weight

As much as we all would love to spend the day showering our favorite furry friends in treats and their favorite foods, weight management can help keep your dog cool in the summer. Older or overweight dogs tend to be at a higher risk for overheating and heatstroke.

8. Promote a Clean Coat

Matted fur has a tendency to trap heat, increasing your dog’s chance of overheating in the sun. A clean coat not only helps to keep them cool but can also safeguard against sunburn.

9. Know Heatstroke Signs

Learn the signs of heatstroke so you can quickly respond and help your dog cool off. If you begin to notice any of these signs, such as drooling or loss of coordination, immediately seek cooling methods and contact your local veterinarian or animal hospital.

Keep Your Pup Cool with Side By Side

Now that you know how to keep your dog cool in the summer heat, let’s talk more about their food. Each dog is unique and requires a different diet to keep them happy and healthy. Head on over to our convenient Pet Health Profile and learn all about your dog’s dietary needs in one place.

At Side By Side, your furry friend’s health and safety are our top priorities. Contact us today to learn more about how our locally sourced food options can help your dog through the summer heat.

Beat the summer heat with these lip smackin’, tail waggin’, healthy recipes

The Bowl Licker

Ingredients

  1. Cucumber or celery water (Cooling)
  2. Vegetable puree made of summer squash, cucumber, celery, or mango (Cooling)
  3. Almond or peanut butter (Neutral)
  4. Side by Side Duck Nuggets (Cooling)

Instructions

Combine the water, veggie puree, and nut butter. Use a spatula to spread the mixture evenly around your dog’s bowl. Sprinkle in the Nuggets. Freeze for one to two hours before letting your pup lick the bowl. This licking of the bowl is great for mental stimulation!

Berry pupsicles

Ingredients

  1. Strawberries (Cooling)
  2. Blueberries (Cooling)
  3. Water
  4. SBS Duck l’Orange Jerky (Cooling)

Instructions

  1. Blend fruit and water
  2. Add SBS Beef heart Jerky, Chicken Jerky, or Chicken Wrapped Sweet potato as handle
  3. Freeze for 3-4hrs
By Libby Sinden

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