How to prepare your dog for the summer

The warm days are well and truly here! We all know temperatures can reach high maximums here in Australia, so we’re sharing 5 things you need to consider to help your dog survive the summer.

Dog activities in the hot weather

Summer is a fun time where we finally get to enjoy a lot of outdoor activities with our dogs!

However, to keep your pup cool when the mercury is rising, you need to modify their activities slightly.

• Early morning or evening playtimes, exercise, and walks are best.
• Take a collapsible water bowl or bottle with you and make sure to look at your dog for signs that they have had enough.
• Choose a waterproof lead and collar like Sunnipets. They use a strong and durable material that is easy to clean. Perfect for those beach days.
• Avoid walking on hot pavement and consider booties to protect their pads.

You can choose summer activities, such as swimming (at the beach or paddling pool) or something more relaxing, like a picnic in the park.

Keeping your dog hydrated

With the climb in temperature comes the risk of dehydration.

Thankfully, there are some easy things you can do to make sure your dog stays hydrated in the summer.

• Add ice cubes to the water bowl.
• If you have a paddling pool (or clam shell), fill it with shallow, cool water.
• Prepare homemade frozen treats or hide your dog’s dinner in water and freeze. Your dog will have to lick through the block of ice first in order to get to their dry biscuits.

Set up the garden ready for summer!

If you can’t leave you dog inside during the day, make sure to set up their outdoor space.

• Offer access to cool shade by stringing up a tarp, using a shade screen or umbrella.
• Set a cooling mat down or a wet towel for your dog to lay on.
• Offer plenty of access to water. Make sure to clean and change the water bowl daily.

Grooming a summer ready dog coat

While most dogs adapt well to the hot summer months, some will need help in the grooming department.

A dog’s coat naturally helps them regulate their body temperature, keeping them warm in winter and cool in summer. So you want to make sure your visit a professional groomer that will not do any drastic trimming.

Grooming regularly during the summer helps to remove excess hair and is a good way to keep an eye on your dog’s skin health, looking for skin irritations or sunburn.

Include your pets in your bushfire survival plan

No matter where you live, bushfires are a reality here in Australia.

It’s important that you plan and prepare for the safety of your pets and include them in your bushfire survival plan. The CFS website has some very helpful tips to keep your pet safe during the bushfire season.

Symptoms of a heat stroke in dogs

Stay safe, keep an eye on your dog this summer.

The symptoms of a heat stroke include:

• elevated temperature
• heavy panting or difficulty breathing
• excessive drooling
• increased heart rate
• diarrhea and vomiting
• a glazed or anxious expression
• weakness
• collapse

Remember that a dog should never be left in a car on a hot day, even with the windows down.

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The Doggy Grub blog is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve happier, healthier lives, changing the way we feed our dogs one bowl at a time! If you would like to know more about our fresh food head to Doggy Grub