Dear Miss Behavin’: Our dog Max did not appreciate this week’s heat wave! Neither of us wanted to go for a walk, but he was a bit antsy being cooped up all afternoon. What can I do to keep him happy and cool all summer?
Max is definitely not alone! The summer heat tends to slow us down and it does the same to our pets. Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you and Max to beat the heat. The first and most simple solution is to walk him early in the morning and later in the evening when it’s not too warm out. This way you will also avoid walking on the sidewalks midday when they may be too hot for Max’s paws.
To keep him cool during the afternoon, consider getting a plastic kiddie pool for your back yard! Toss a few toys in the pool and encourage Max to dip his paws in. True water dogs will likely lay in the pool and hang out, but even more tentative pups are likely to enjoy wading in the water or bobbing for treats.
If Max isn’t on board with the pool, try your culinary skills by making pup-sicles at home. Create your own recipe with whatever dog-safe snacks you have, such as plain yogurt, peanut butter, chicken broth, peas, blueberries, etc. You can even add a carrot stick to make it a true popsicle! Freeze your ingredients in an ice tray and feed your pup-sicles to Max at the hottest time of day to help him cool off.
If all else fails, load Max up in the car and go for an air-conditioned drive around the neighborhood. This is a great opportunity for him to be out of the house and get some mental stimulation without physically exerting himself much.