Ideas That Spark: Mom2Mom
Keep Pets Cool This Summer
By Elina Bolokhova for Ideas That Spark
Humans know plenty of ways to beat the heat: shedding layers, taking a dip or vegging out in front of the air conditioning. Unfortunately, our pets don’t have quite as many options. Here are some pet cooling tips to keep pets cool this summer:
Good Grooming
Many animals shed their winter undercoats during the warmer months. Keep pets cool by keeping them well-groomed with frequent brushing — it will help them feel more comfortable and significantly reduce shedding. Try a grooming rake toeffectively remove that dead fur for optimal pet cooling.
Some longer-haired breeds might benefit from a visit to the groomer for a full shave or a new ‘do. However, be warned that dogs and cats can get sunburned, too!
Light-colored or thin-haired breeds are particularly vulnerable. Invest in a sunscreen for your furry pal, like the Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray. This broad spectrum sunscreen has been endorsed by the American Animal Hospital Association and is even safe if licked after application.
Keep Them Hydrated
Cold water is the perfect remedy for a hot day, so make sure your pet always has a full, fresh water bowl. If they aren’t touching their bowl, the sun might have made the water too hot to drink. For ultimate pet cooling, try a self-cooling water bowl, such as the FroBo cooling water bowl which can keep your critter’s water cool for 8 hours.
A walk in the heat can cause your pup to become dehydrated. The Lixit thirsty Dog Portable Water Bottle converts into a water bowl on-the-go, so you can refresh your doggy during a stroll.
Protect the Paws
The pads on your puppy’s feet are made for walking, but they are also sensitive to heat and can be burned by hot pavement, asphalt or sand. The afternoon, when the sun and heat are at their peak, is the most dangerous. Taking walks in the early morning or when the sun sets are good alternatives. If walking during the day is unavoidable, keep pets cool by touching the ground with your hand before
letting your pet tread on it — or simply stick to walking on grass and dirt. Make sure to check your pet’s paw pads for signs of redness or injury after your walk.
Sprinkle and Soak
Unlike us, dogs only have sweat glands on the pads of their paws, so they stay cool mostly by panting. On an especially hot day, you can give your pet a quick cool-down by wrapping them in a wet towel. Or try something a little more high-tech, like
a cooling dog vest. You can soak the Swamp Cooler cooling dog vest in water and then fasten it around your dog for evaporative cooling. If you have access to a backyard, letting your pets run through the sprinkler or splash around in a kiddy pool is another great idea to keep pets cool. But like small children, puppies are in particular danger of drowning if left unattended — keep a close watch on your pets if you let them go for a swim.
Elina Bolokhova is a freelance writer, editor and digital content strategist. The
former Parenting.com editor has been published in Parenting and Babytalk magazines, as well as on CNN, AOL and Yahoo. She specializes in
lifestyle writing, with a focus on beauty, food and travel.
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