Easy Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

Summer is here, bringing with it longer days, lazy evenings, and of course the heat of the sun. We all, of course, have to take precautions to protect ourselves from the heat, but what about our furry friends? It’s just as important to make sure that they’re able to enjoy the summertime without overheating, and to stay safe and healthy. In the worst case scenario, a pup getting dehydrated and overheated could spell a journey to the vet. In this article we’re going to run through some summertime dog care tips to help make sure you don’t end up with an overly hot dog!

Provide Lots of Cool Fresh Water

Many of us find it difficult to keep ourselves hydrated, let alone our pets! We should never forget to refill their water bowls, especially in the summer. Remember to change the water often and to make sure it is fresh and clean. If it’s been cooled in the fridge, even better. If the heat is really out of control, why not throw in a couple of ice cubes to give them a refreshing treat. 

Play in the Water

Summer is the perfect time to bring your dog to a body of water and let them go wild! Whether it’s a sea, lake, canal, or whatever you have nearby, taking your dog for a swim isn’t just good for cooling them off - it’s loads of fun too! Not every dog likes the water, but they’re all curious about it at the very least. Especially, when their owner rolls up their trousers and goes for a paddle with them. 

Offer Frozen Treats

There’s nothing better than an ice-pop to cool down on a summer's day. A great trick is to take whatever doggie treats you usually give them, stick them in a ziploc/plastic bag and place them in your freezer for at least a couple of hours. When you take them out you’ll have perfect frozen dog treats to help keep your canine pals cool - and they work just as well to help with your training routine!

Avoid the Midday Heat

Depending on where you are, the midday heat could be unbearable for your pooch. Best practice for summertime dog care is to try to keep them indoors, in an airconditioned environment, or at least in the shade away from the worst of the sun’s heat.

Stay out of the Dog House

If you don’t have some kind of dog fence system in place, you may find yourself wanting to attach their leash to the dog house - it’s shady, they’ll be fine, right? Not necessarily. The temperature inside of a dog house can actually exceed the temperature outside of it, especially if the roof is coloured black. Add to that the fact that over the course of the day the sun will move and potentially minimise any shade that the dog might find inside.

This is a huge reason not to delay, and to have a fencing system put in place this summer. At Dog Guard Of St. Louis, we pride ourselves on servicing pet-owners in the St Louis area, ensuring that their dogs can roam freely inside the boundaries of their property, safe and shaded. We also have a team of professional dog trainers who can help your dog understand exactly where they can and can’t go inside of your property.

So why wait until after summer? Call Dog Guard of St. Louis now at 636-397-3321, or visit our website and fill out a contact form so that we can find a solution for your dog today.