Playtime
Other Things We Love include
10 Ways to Keep Your Pup Cool This Summer
Summer is here, and it's time to find ways to cool down! Here are ten fun and easy ideas to stay cool this summer.
#1: Drink Lots of Water
Make sure you and your dogs drink plenty of water every day. Water should be easily found both indoors and outdoors for a quick drink. We like the Coldest Dog Bowl because it is machine washable and lasts a long time. You can add ice cubes to your water to make it refreshing but ice cubes alone will not keep your dog cool. Make sure to provide shade and even a cooling blanket in extreme heat!
#2: Enjoy Ice Cream
Ice cream is a delicious way to cool off. The Pooch Creamery offers several dog-friendly flavors that are stored at room temperature. When the weather forecast predicts high temperatures, mix a container and freeze for 8 hours. Try different flavors and enjoy a tasty treat on a hot day.
#3: Be the Home with a Splash Pad
A splash pad is like a water park for dogs. The larger sizes are even used by adults and children to cool down while playing. Even if they don't hang in it, some dogs walk through it to cool down.
#4: Lounge in the Pool
Swimming pools have come a long way from the plastic, slippery tubs that our grandparents enjoyed. Pools are now available in sizes ranging from 'balcony' to 'pool party.' We like the VISTOP Foldable Dog Pool because it comes in many sizes and is easily folded up for storage when summer is over. As with any standing water, keep the water clean and empty it at night to reduce the mosquitoes that bite you.
#5: Stay in the Shade
Find a shady spot under a tree or use an umbrella to keep out of the direct sun. We like the Cantilever Patio Umbrella because it's large enough to cover an entire table while also easy to reposition as the sun moves. If this is your first patio umbrella, you will need to get a refillable stand because the steel base that is included with the umbrella will not wishstand moderate wind.
#6: Use a Fan
Placing a bowl of ice in front of a fan on a hot day simulates air conditioning and can have a surprising cooling effect. In addition to cooler air, the forced movement of air will make it more difficult for mosquitoes and other bugs to fly near you. We like the iLiving Wall Mounted Variable Speed Indoor/Outdoor Weatherproof Fan because it can be either permanently mounted to a wall or secured to a hanging hook. This fan is well-made and should last many years.
#7: Cool Down with Frozen Treats
Do you love to pamper your pup? The Cooper's Treats Pupsicle Starter Kit would be the ultimate luxury on a hot day. This kit contains everything needed to make frozen treats in flavors that safely appeal to your dog.
#8: Grab That Breeze
A raised outdoor dog bed allows the breeze to flow under the bed, cooling your dog. When placed in the shade, it's a perfect place for an afternoon nap. Our dogs like the Cooleroo Cooling Elevated Dog Bed because it's sturdy but also flexible to adjust when they move around. Our dogs use these every day and a bed typically lasts 2-3 years in our household.
#9: Snuggle in a Cooling Blanket
You can still snuggle and be comfortable in the heat when you use a cooling blanket. Our dogs like the Lesure Premium Cooling Blankets because they are available in multiple sizes and the dogs can move the blanket around until it's perfectly comfortable. This is a great option if you must stay indoors without the benefit of air conditioning.
#10: Happy Feet
Remember dancing across the hot concrete or patio bricks to avoid burning your feet? Your dog's feet can burn so quickly on hot surfaces. We like the GENIMO Outdoor Rug because it's made of bamboo, minimizing plastic, and easily folds into a storage case for the winter. With many styles and colors, in several sizes, you'll find the perfect look to protect feet and paws.
Try these tips to stay cool and have a fun summer!
