Summer, Sun & Co. - Tips on How Your Dog Can Get Through Summer Well
As soon as it gets warmer outside, the situation is clear for you: into the shorts or a breezy dress to provide relief from the heat. However, it’s not quite that simple for your four-legged friend - even if he is a real trendsetter - and there are some points you should consider on hot summer days to make summer easier for your furry companion.
Hairy Matter: Shedding and Coat Care
Your four-legged friend’s body automatically initiates the shedding process as soon as the temperatures rise outside. This can happen quite early in the year, so your dog can already shine in a new summer look just in time for summer. However, if the temperatures suddenly rise sharply and the shedding process extends into summer, you can help your furry friend get rid of his winter coat as quickly as possible.
For this, regular brushing is important - this removes loose fur and simultaneously stimulates your dog's skin, making it easier for him to shed. Especially for long-haired breeds, daily, multiple brushing sessions are advisable. In addition to regular grooming brushes, there are also combs for the undercoat of your beloved pet.
And what about clipping? More and more owners are opting to have their dogs clipped or even taking the clippers into their own hands. In general, it holds true: every coat has a specific function, depending on the breed. Dogs with dense fur and heavy undercoats that protect against low temperatures are prone to irreversible skin diseases and sunburn after clipping.
Fur not only protects against cold, but also against heat and sunburn. For which dogs a summer clip is appropriate and even sensible, you can have explained at your trusted dog salon. Because it’s very important: Your four-legged friend’s summer hairstyle belongs in the hands of a professional and should never be done by yourself to avoid damage to skin and topcoat.
Making Hot Days Cooler: Ice, Ice, Baby!
To make life easier for your four-legged friend on particularly hot days, here are a few tips to help him:
1. Walks only in the morning and evening, when it’s not too hot - avoid walking with your four-legged friend in the midday sun.
2. Combine walks with cooling off in a lake and choose shady routes through the woods.
3. Create cool places at home by keeping a room completely dark so it doesn’t heat up too much.
4. Pool party for your four-legged friend - whether in the garden or in the apartment, your dog will enjoy a cooling off in a kiddie pool or in the bathtub.
5. Car rides only when necessary: your furry friend won’t hold it against you if you leave him at home during one or another drive in summer, because it gets warm quickly in the car.
6. Please do not leave your four-legged friend alone in the car under any circumstances - not even with the window down and not even if it’s just for two minutes (for comparison: while it’s 30 degrees outside, it heats up in the car to 46 degrees within 30 minutes - a temperature that can become life-threatening for your furry friend).
7. Cooling harnesses: there are special harnesses for dogs that can be dipped in cold water in summer to cool your furry friend’s body - practical and pretty cool!
8. Ice for dogs: You should avoid regular food and water ice as a cooling treat for your four-legged friend. Sugar and ingredients that the dog’s body can absorb worse than ours can cause stomach aches. This means for you: Get to the mixing bowl, we're making dog ice cream!
For this, you can puree fruits (banana, apple, pear, watermelon, peach, or apricot - important: no grapes) and mix them with water to create a creamy mass. For a hearty variant, you can use vegetables like carrots, beets, pumpkin, cucumbers, or broccoli. Your dog will also enjoy a spoonful of cottage cheese or yogurt in the ice. Then, put it in the freezer and cool for a few hours. After that, your four-legged friend can enjoy his personal ice cream.
Your Dog's Water Balance in Summer: Always Drink Plenty
Hardly anything is as important for your furry friend’s health in summer as a good water balance, because your four-legged friend tends to dehydrate quickly on hot days. Therefore, always ensure that fresh, cool water is available and also think about sufficient hydration during walks. Caution at public waters: here, high temperatures can lead to bacterial growth in the water - it’s better to bring tap water for outings.
Is your furry friend rather reluctant to drink and are you worried that his water balance isn’t covered? We have a few tasty, hydrating tips for you:
So, Reluctant to Drink?
- With up to 95% water content, hardly any fruit has as much liquid as watermelon - and your four-legged friend really enjoys it. Cut small pieces, put them in the fridge, and let your furry friend enjoy the coolness. Don’t feed too large pieces and not too much at once, but distribute small portions throughout the day.
- Wet food boasts a moisture content of up to 80% - this largely covers your dog’s water balance, and he needs to drink less water than dogs that eat dry food.
- Many dogs prefer flowing water or stagnant water. Puddles and lakes are less suitable in summer, as explained above. Rainwater is a tasty alternative for some dogs. Additionally, there are drinking fountains for four-legged friends that simulate flowing water and often score better with reluctant drinkers.
