Best 5 Tricks To Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer – Secrets Revealed

dogpaw1 | June 30, 2015 | Health | No Comments

COOL DOG – 5 Hot Tips!

As summer starts to sizzle, our ‘fur-babies’ feel the heat way more than we do. With their inability to sweat and their thick fur-coat, dogs mainly dissipate heat through panting, as well as through their paws and underbelly. Humans complain about the heat non-stop while our dogs have no voice to complain about their hot fur coats.

Here are five tips on how to keep your dog cool and comfortable in the hot summer months.

WATER WORKS – We all know, but this is the most important. Keep a clean bowl of fresh water for your dog, preferably with a few ice cubes. Here at the Dog Paw Post, we use paw-shaped ice trays! If your dog is exercising in the summer heat, give your dog small amounts of water every 15-20 minutes. Make sure your dog cools down and stops panting before a whole bowl of water is given. Discomfort or stomach issues could occur if the dog eagerly swallows large amounts of water and air.
REFRESHINGLY ENTERTAIN – Dogs will be dogs so when they want to play on a hot summer day, this is a great hack to excite your furry friend. Simply fill a bowl with your dog’s favorite toys, and then fill the bowl with water and leave it in the freezer until it all freezes together. Once your dog is anxious to go play outside, surprise them with this refreshing play time. Your dog will so much fun trying to get his favorite toys out, licking the ice, and cooling down. This will entertain your dog for a long time, and everyone will be happy.
TIME OUT – Never leave your dog outside too long, or inside your car alone. Providing a shady ‘chill’ area with water outside is helpful however heat exhaustion can occur if they are left outside for an extended period. Even if the windows are open and it’s just for a short time, a car can heat up very fast. HowStuffWorks showed how the temperature within a car can climb from 75 degrees F to 110 degrees F within 15 minutes. Most dog heat strokes are caused by people leaving their dogs inside the car.
WHAT’S TOO HOT? – When walking your dog, this is a five-second trick to let you know if the ground is too hot to walk your dog. While this may not be 100% accurate, it can protect your dog from scorching hot pavement. Humans are protected from shoes so we must think twice before exposing your dog’s paws to steaming sidewalks. This five-second rule will help you make the decision. Simply place the back of your hand on the pavement and if you cannot hold it for five seconds, it’s too hot to walk your dog. Waking up early or waiting for the cooler evening temperatures is best and recommended.
POOL PAWS – Doggy pool party!!! Excite and rejuvenate your dog this summer with their own wading pool. Since dogs don’t sweat, this refreshing pleasure will please your panting dog this summer. Plastic kiddie pools are a great affordable option. Dogs here at the Dog Paw Post think this is “PAW-some!!!”