It’s only May and the temperatures are already in the low 30’s! Here are some ways to help keep your dog cool this season and well into Summer!

Keep in mind dogs naturally cool themselves through panting. Moisture evaporates off their tongue, nasal passages and their lungs and this helps to keep them cool. If your dog is panting on a hot day let them. If they are walked on a Halti or use a muzzle it is very important that they can easily pant in them.

Stay Inside

Put the A/C on if you have it, and if not, putting a fan on to help circulate the air will help cool the room your dog is in. If you have a brachycephalic dog (flat faced breed) do not point the fan directly at them. Especially if they are in their crate or a location they can’t escape the wind. It can hinder their breathing.

You can also use interactive toys that are filled with food, peanut butter, bananas, cottage cheese, or literally anything that your pup enjoys and freeze them for a refreshing, cooling indoor activity! Our favorites are the Toppl, Rumbl, Lick Mat, Snoop, Mushroom & Kong.

Shorten your walks

As the temperatures rise the length of your walks should decrease. Especially in peak hours of the day. Go for longer walks once the sun goes down or early in the morning before it gets too hot.

If you do go out with your dog in the day, take as many breaks as your dog needs and walk on the shaded side of the street.

If you have a backyard or balcony your dog likes to hang out in make sure to put up an umbrella or make sure there is somewhere your dog can be in the shade.

Always make sure your dog has water available to them when outside, and remember to bring water with you on walks!

Stay Hydrated

Make sure to fill your dog’s water bowl with fresh water every morning (if not more frequently). Wash the bowl each time. This will help that clear slime from appearing which can lead to bad breathe and even gut issues.

Bring a travel bowl or dog water bottle with you on your walks!

Equip your dog with cooling gear

Not 100% necessary, but if your dog enjoys being outdoors even when it’s hot, providing them with gear to keep them cool is a great idea. A Cooling vest & cooling toys are great for outdoors and for indoors there are cooling mats.

Go for a swim

Going for a swim is so refreshing on a hot day! Find a local spot where you can let your dog jump in the river (if it’s not too far to walk to), find a local dog pool to rent, turn on the hose for them in the backyard, or even buy them a small doggy pool to soak in!

You might also be able to find places where the city puts mist machines in your area. I know the Atwater Market had them last year and it’s a great spot to take a break with the pup during a short walk.

Offer frozen treats

Your local pet store will likely have ready made frozen treats available (we do), but you can also make your own! Here’s a blog post with some inspirational recipes.

We have paw and heart shaped molds available, but you don’t have to buy a fancy mold! You can use ice cube trays or popsicle molds if you already have them at home.

Proper summer grooming

Proper grooming is essential all year, but dogs with thicker coats do need extra brushing during warmer months. A quick brushing daily with a slicker brush should suffice for most breeds.

If your dog has hair (not fur or an undercoat) and can be shaved, please make sure your groomer leaves at least 1″ of hair. This allows for insulation from the sun and will actually help your dog stay cooler on warmer days. Not all dogs should be shaved, so do some research on your breed to find out if it’s healthy for your dog to be shaved.

Never leave your dog in a hot car!

This is so important. Cars get so hot so fast and dogs have died, quite quickly, by being left in the car on a hot day.

We hope these tips will help you and your pup stay cool this spring & summer! Feel free to share any other tips you might use with your dog. It could help a hot dog get relief from these humid days!