Beat the Heat

It is the dog days of summer, but that doesn't mean the heat is your pet's best friend. We're all trying to keep cool out there so here are some tips to keep your furry friends comfortable.

Plenty of Cool Water
Toss some ice cubes in water dishes for indoor and outdoor drinking to help cool them while keeping your pets hydrated. Make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water, especially cats who tend to be a bit fussier about their drinking habits. If you're going for a walk, pack extra water for your pup. It can be used not only for drinking, but to put on pads and coats to help cool down.

Pools
Though most cats won't partake and some dogs won't, having a little pool of water for your pup to lay or stand in can help a lot. Dogs cool down significantly through their pads, so even just standing in water can help them to regulate their temperature. On walks, wetting your dog's pads can be helpful for this reason.

Shade and Grass
When out for walks, try to avoid walking on pavement. Give your dog some grass to walk on as hot pavement can burn pads at the worst, but even at the best, can keep them warmer than they need to be. If you're somewhere with a hot surface, wet it down with water to keep it cool.
Whether walking or at home, try to give your pets cool places to hide, both indoor and out. Shady spots in the grass or an area out of the sun that either gets a breeze or has a fan blowing, gently, into it. Some pets are scared of fans, so try setting it further away or getting smaller ones that run quieter and are less intimidating.

Cool Surfaces and Towels
Wetting a towel and laying it over your dog can go a long way in helping to keep them cool. You can also buy cooling jackets with the same idea of either being wet down or put in the freezer before use. Alternatively, you can get mats for your pets to lay on with the same idea. Cooling stones are also useful, especially for smaller dogs and cats, and don't require water which is good for animals who will avoid getting wet.

Most of all, monitor your pets. Look for signs of listlessness and dehydration. Make sure you get them to take breaks and keep an eye on their water to be sure they always have some to drink. Be safe out there and have fun!